Most of the aftermarket air intakes I see for the 3IS draw air from the engine compartment. This seems counter productive to me. I live in Dubai. So you can imagine how hot it gets. Adding all that heat plus the engine bay heat, it seems to me that the stock setup is more better for performance and reliability. Can anyone verify this? Is investing in an aftermarket air intake like K&N or similar ones worth it?

 

long story short - no. but i'm sure people here will say the opposite.

 

The K&N comes with a heat shield that blocks the filter from the engine and I believe you'll leave in the bottom section of the stock intake box which brings in fresh air from the outside ... In talks of intakes, here's some things to consider ...
1. Where is the air coming from? Is there a better, less restrictive way, to get clean, cool, fresh air to the engine?
2. What type of filter is the air passing through. For an everyday driver, finding a balance of allowing more airflow but still filtering out contaminants.
3. After the filter, what route does the air take to get into the throttle body? The factory corrugated rubber tube adds turbulence to air which in turn hinders the air flow. Finding a smooth tube; if it's metal, treated with a coating to dissipate the heat or in the case of K&N intakes, plastic which generally doesn't get as hot as a metal tube, is the best option.

 

The facts say opposite ... Check out the Dyno sheet from K&N. GS350 gained 12.5 HP and 13.6 TQ. Can't really argue with the facts and dyno sheet ...
http://www.knfilters.com/dynocharts/69-8704_dyno.pdf

 

speaking of dyno sheets...im still waiting for the injen press release and dyno sheets. ill definitely be ordering one through Josh as soon as they are available. "bump"

 

Yup! Can't wait to see the numbers from Injen!

 

I do not trust these dyno numbers at all, since these companies claimed a gain of 18 whp for my other car and many owners of these intakes did dyno runs and they produced only 4-7 whp. Additionally, when the car gets warmer the gain obtained due the intake is almost disappeared after a few runs. Anyway a rule of thumb is to get something not made of metal due to heat soaking issue, specially in the summer. However in your case and since you have the turbo 3is no need for the intake to be made of plastic or fibers, as the intercooler can offset the temperature gain.

@2015Fsport
Anyway I would go for the afe intake if I consider installing an intake on my lexus. Btw if you need the contact number of a guy selling these intakes in Dubai PM me.

 

The answer is no, and if any, it'll be minimal and unnoticeable.

 

The only advantage to get an intake is the sound if you are looking for that. However if the car is tuned ( specially turbo charged cars) the intake will make a huge difference due to removing the OEM air box which is restriciting the flow with higher boost.

 

i have the hps tube with a afe dry filter. i love it
they claim +14.5 Whp horsepower, +12.6 Ft/lbs. but i honestly doubt it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Any manufacturer that makes a claim is no different than a customer testimonial. Usually its skewed or opinionated in some way or another for marketing reasons. Dyno video with all variables such as temperature, elevation, and other relevant mods done to the car are all factors that must be included before I believe any claim.

 

You'll gain HP if it have heat shield. Something like this for example to block out hot air from engine bay.

 

Which brand is that? Till now I havent seen any like that for 3is.

 

Dyno from manufacture.....lol....what a naive person

 

Really? With people suing over too much ice in their Starbucks I highly doubt a company like K&N would lie and fake dyno results ... Seems like a good way to throw away millions of dollars and your reputation in the industry for someone calling them out on a $75 dyno pull ... BUT to each their own, believe or don't believe whatever you want ...