After reading all the posts on HAI versus CAI, I decided on this set-up.

The K&N RU-1540, Thermo-Guard insulation, and fabrication metal cost less then $60 and took minimal time to install.

The airflow under the hood is optimized and the sound is less intrusive then the CAI. The temperature readings from one side to the other are also impressive. Also, I removed the intercooler and installed a sheet of the Thermo-Guard insulation under there as well…..a significant temperature reduction on the cooling fins as well.

 

Props on the fabriction and DIY approach.

 

looks real nice

 

Great job, very clean.

 

Is the filter mounted directly to the TB, or is it just laying aside to show the box in place?

 

looks like its installed on the TB...pretty sure it's the HAI technique + a very nicely done DIY air box.

I wonder how much air is actually being pushed down the cowl and then forward in the car against the air that is coming in the front grill though.

 

Very Nice!!!!
I bet you could market that shield.
Jim

 

shield is nicly done but I dont much care for the air filter placement. its really close to the ic horn and that sucker gets pretty hot with the stock equipment!

I bet the m7 extreme hood would be a great mod for that intake set up!

 

Nicely done!!

Great job!

 

The K&N filter is mounted to the throttle body. That Thermo-Guard insulation stuff is amazing as it really cuts down on the heat. The air intake side of the system is very cool compared to the engine side.

I really think that this set-up is the best of them all......and very cost effective.

 

ha ha! great stuff.... I love it!

 

Nice work. Looks clean and pro.

 

I love the ingenuity around here!

Dale, nice work. Thanks for sharing with us; and also how you did so (detailed photos, explanations and even measurements)!

 

How does your K&N RU-1540 fit? It looks like it doesn't hit the horn, am I right? Does it fit perfectly against the TB? Does it touch the underside of the hood?

I am using a RU-1550 and I took it off today to clean it. It rests against the horn and the filter has a little hole in it. There is no burning of melting, so the heat is not an issue. It also hits the underside of the hood insulation just slightly, so I would like to find a better size.

 

Dale: Good one! What exactly are you measuring with the thermometer? Is that a surface temp IR meter? Are the temperatures pretty consistent on the RHS and LHS of your divider?
Maybe!

 

I have to correct myself. It's resting against the bottom part of the filter box, not the horn. I just put it back on and it's not resting against it now. I think the hood pushes it down on the box. I think I'll try the shorter 1540

 

The K&N RU-1540 is a perfect fit, and does not touch anywhere, nor does the hood come in contact when closed.

The temp measurements are to give a general idea of how much cooler the air is to the filter if a termo bulkhead is in place. I also kept the aft section open so air would flow freely through the under-windshield opening.

I don't have the measurements handy but it is very easy to do if you make one up using cardboard first.

 

I have a similar set-up, except I left the bottom half of the stock airbox in place. You can see pix here
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=78802

Since then, I've insulated the heat shield with thermoguard, just like Dale's, but I've also added insulation on the IC exit horn. Doing all this, I think the HAI is a very effective intake, both performance and cost-wise.

 

Where did you get the Thermo Guard? I did a few web searches but couldn't find it. Intake looks great!

 

[quote=daleCarlsbad;1272718]After reading all the posts on HAI versus CAI, I decided on this set-up.

The K&N RU-1540, Thermo-Guard insulation, and fabrication metal cost less then $60 and took minimal time to install.

The airflow under the hood is optimized and the sound is less intrusive then the CAI. The temperature readings from one side to the other are also impressive. Also, I removed the intercooler and installed a sheet of the Thermo-Guard insulation under there as well…..a significant temperature reduction on the cooling fins as well.








/quote]

Now we're talking. You & inimini are doing a realy good job of under hood heat management without much, if any, cost to other components that need air. Looking real good. Gotta love it

 

Do you have a picture of what the thermo-guard looks like under the intercooler?

 

I tried a 1540 yesterday. On of my friends had one. The flange doesn't fit all the way over the TB in the front. I don't know why because the flange is the same as the 1550 and that fits fine. I am going to try an RU-1470 next. It's a 4" diam. round with a 6" filter.

 

I don't have a photo of mine, but this photo from inimini will give you an idea of what it looks like. Mine is one solid sheet across the manifold as apposed to the seperate sections.

Thanks to inimini for this post and the idea.

 

Dale,
Beautiful work on the heat shield. I need to add a hook for the battery cables like yours. Removing the bottom of the stock airbox is probably a better way to go, and probably easier to mate up with the engine side. I had to use a 2-piece design to do this, to fit something in between the airbox bottom and the engine.

I can attest to the tremendous temp difference between the header side and the airway side with this mod, after driving a while then popping the bonnet. I don't have numbers, but the airway side feels waaaay cooler!

 

Love it! I almost want to ask if I can get you to make one for me...

Question. Aren't you worried about your ECU being exposed like that???