I've wanted an intake for my SC fo quite some time. After reading all the posts here, it seemed like people are actually losing HP after the intake installation. I didn't want to waste money adding an intake only to lose power and get even slower.

The problem seems to be the hot air from the engine after guys remove the old airbox and installs the intake. Even with the heat shield, it does not seem to work all that great.

I also wanted something that would be completely reversible, so I can reinstall the OEM stuff if I ever decide to sell the car.

Buddy of mine owed me a favor, so I asked him to build me an intake. It was suppose to be a simple project with a flap on top of the airbox and a cone filter inside... well, after the MANY, MANY hours that went into the project and all the test pieces he had to go thought... I think I'm the one that now owes him a favor.

Here are a couple of pictures of the airbox. My buddy is still doing some testing so I should have the car back in about a week. Can't wait!

What do you guys think?

 

I think the same thing could have been accomplished using a k&n drop-in filter.. But the welded aluminum lid looks way cooler. The intake elbow looks a little funky. But the welds on the lid look pretty good to me.

Looks like your buddy put quite a bit of time into that.

 

The cone filter has more surface area than the drop-in filters, so it will allow more air flow.' The increased airbox volume should also allow air to be drawn in more easily. I'm not an expert at this but the reasoning seems to make sense for me.

As for the elbow, it is made that way so that the cone is pointed at the air inlet to get somewhat of a "ram air' effect. Pipe benders that can bend 3" pipe is outrageously expensive, plus it cannot make complex multi-directional bends: that's why all those pieces are needed to get the cone pointed in the right direction. These method of pipe "bending" is seen a lot on motorcycle exhausts. To me, it look pretty cool at is reminds me of some of the exhause pips on Moto GP bikes.

From what I'm being told, the intake is working very well so far. My buddy was actually a bit suprised at the improvements that it has made. His next project will be an airbox for his '08 GS460.

Here are a couple pictures of the filter box on the car:

 

Where's the mass air flow sensor?

 

There a bracket welded on to the aluminum tube holding the Mass Airflow Sensor in place. Just about where the stock location is.

 

nice work! wish I had a friend like that who owed me a favor. only friends i've got that owe me is moving furniture or tv's LOL