K&N 69 Series Typhoon intake review (updated)
On the K&N website, in the description it notes that the intake will eventually come in:
Some Typhoon's have high quality finish options including polished aluminum (part ends with TP), powder coated blue (part ends in TB), powder coated red (part ends in TR), and powder coated silver (ends in TS) among others.
The one they have available right now is the Polished Aluminum, hopefully the other will be available soon - I'm eying the blue if the gains similar after some independent dynos.
Some Typhoon's have high quality finish options including polished aluminum (part ends with TP), powder coated blue (part ends in TB), powder coated red (part ends in TR), and powder coated silver (ends in TS) among others.
The one they have available right now is the Polished Aluminum, hopefully the other will be available soon - I'm eying the blue if the gains similar after some independent dynos.
It would be REALLY interesting if someone would stick an electronic thermometer (one with a long wire and digital display) inside the enclosure to measure temps while cruising, then remove the OEM snorkel and repeat the test. I'm skeptical that the OEM snorkel really isn't going to deliver much cold air unless the enclosure is fully sealed.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
I couldn't take the loudness, I went back to the stock intake today. Good news is it only takes 10 minutes to revert. ahhh, much better. 
It's really a shame, because the kit is beautiful and well designed. I just felt like I was driving my Integra of years past. I bought the Lexus for an upscale car and it felt the opposite. I'm gonna try the Joe Z and see what that sounds like, otherwise just use a drop in filter.
Well, there's my update. Check the Classifieds soon or PM me if anyone's intersted in a 3-day used K&N Typhoon.
Greg
It's really a shame, because the kit is beautiful and well designed. I just felt like I was driving my Integra of years past. I bought the Lexus for an upscale car and it felt the opposite. I'm gonna try the Joe Z and see what that sounds like, otherwise just use a drop in filter.
Well, there's my update. Check the Classifieds soon or PM me if anyone's intersted in a 3-day used K&N Typhoon.
Greg
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
glilly, Here is a thread where I posted bumper cam videos (ie. good sound clips) of the stock vs JoeZ pipe.
I'm sure the Joe Z is the answer to what i'm looking for, ...just a bit smoother airflow - not much difference in sound.
Greg
Gilly! I have the Joe-Z intake + blitz drop in filter.
I will tell you this, I think this will be the perfect setup for you.
You will have at least a 5HP gain, not to mention the noise level will be relatively the same.
The Joe-Z intake is most notably known for not causing a loss in Horse Power.
Im sure you will love this setup.
I will tell you this, I think this will be the perfect setup for you.
You will have at least a 5HP gain, not to mention the noise level will be relatively the same.
The Joe-Z intake is most notably known for not causing a loss in Horse Power.
Im sure you will love this setup.
Speaking of K&N, I just noticed last night that they are bringing a "highly modified IS350" for display at SEMA - I found this here. Also, this weekend I will undertake the project of making the heat shield as air-tight as I can, so it will suck in as much cold air from the stock scoop. I'll be sure to post pics and another write-up...
Javier
Javier
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The article mentions a IS250 MT, not a 350. I'm still excited to see pics, though. 
JavyLSU - what are your impressions of the Typhoon from a performance aspect? Did you notice any difference, good or bad, after you installed it? Thanks.
Go SEC, btw.
JavyLSU - what are your impressions of the Typhoon from a performance aspect? Did you notice any difference, good or bad, after you installed it? Thanks.
Go SEC, btw.
Oops! I'll change my post above to reflect that... Thanks for the heads-up! As for my impressions for peformance, I'm only going to say (until I get my car dyno'd, possibly next week) that I can noticeably feel a difference when I'm going about 60 on the freeway, and I drop the hammer to WOT (and this is strictly according to the butt-dyno
). The car climbs to 80, 100 MPH a bit faster than it used to. From a stop, I don't feel a difference. Remember, that I also have a Tanabe exhaust, so the end result I am getting is a function of intake+exhaust, not just intake.
Javier
). The car climbs to 80, 100 MPH a bit faster than it used to. From a stop, I don't feel a difference. Remember, that I also have a Tanabe exhaust, so the end result I am getting is a function of intake+exhaust, not just intake.Javier
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Los Altos,
From the pictures, it looks like your stock intake fits on to that plastic piece that leads to the grill (surmising from the foam around it). Does the stock intake extend to there and seal on it? If so, it appears to be a better system than the aftermarket one assuming it can pass the required air at the rate the engine needs it. It would be colder, yes?
A few years back I saw a great flow test of a stock BMW Mahle filter vs. a K&N and the K&N was only better for a very short period until it collected dust. The Mahle filter had so much more surface area that it was much more efficient when dirty.
My stock airbox extends towards the grill and then a little fat snorkel extends to an area just behind the grill and away from the engine compartment. A realtively large paper filter (10x5 or so) sits just behind it and in front of the MAF. To date, nobody has been able to document an increase in hp from any aftermarket kit.
Don't get me wrong, if you don't lose power and like the sound that alone may be worth it but if the stock system flows more than enough air and at a colder temperature how do you improve it?
A few years back I saw a great flow test of a stock BMW Mahle filter vs. a K&N and the K&N was only better for a very short period until it collected dust. The Mahle filter had so much more surface area that it was much more efficient when dirty.
My stock airbox extends towards the grill and then a little fat snorkel extends to an area just behind the grill and away from the engine compartment. A realtively large paper filter (10x5 or so) sits just behind it and in front of the MAF. To date, nobody has been able to document an increase in hp from any aftermarket kit.
Don't get me wrong, if you don't lose power and like the sound that alone may be worth it but if the stock system flows more than enough air and at a colder temperature how do you improve it?
Your question has to do with aftermarket intakes in general, and I don't want to completely derail this thread. There have been plenty of arguments regarding "documented" results from intake kits, and I'd just as soon avoid that flame-fest in this thread - see the Fujita F5 thread... 
I'm simply publishing as much information as I can about this specific intake so if anyone has any questions or is considering purchasing it, they have a resource to count on.
Javier
I'm simply publishing as much information as I can about this specific intake so if anyone has any questions or is considering purchasing it, they have a resource to count on. Javier
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Los Altos,
Understandable. However, can you answer my question as to whether the stock intake seals up to that opening? You could do some fabrication to have literally the same effect as to the CAI.
I would just make sure you re-install the stocker when you take it in for service. Avoids giving them a reason.
I would just make sure you re-install the stocker when you take it in for service. Avoids giving them a reason.
Visually, the stock intake tube "seals" the opening, but it's merely a loose-fitting porous foam that is by no means attached or air-tight. That's the "project" I mentioned for this weekend in my post above - I'm going to completely seal that opening to increase the vacuum effect to the snorkel. I'm also replacing the seals on the top of the heat shield to create a seal when the engine accessory covers are on, and I have a couple of other modifications in mind. My goal is to get as close to a CAI as possible.
Javier
Javier
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 2
From: Hawaii
Visually, the stock intake tube "seals" the opening, but it's merely a loose-fitting porous foam that is by no means attached or air-tight. That's the "project" I mentioned for this weekend in my post above - I'm going to completely seal that opening to increase the vacuum effect to the snorkel. I'm also replacing the seals on the top of the heat shield to create a seal when the engine accessory covers are on, and I have a couple of other modifications in mind. My goal is to get as close to a CAI as possible.
Javier
Javier
Aloha,
Larry