Ram Air Duct for GK5
#21
Trying to present an Impreza (of any trim, even the STI) as a 'performance car' or something elevated above other econoboxes is silly. It's an econobox that happens to have power, a huge tuner market, and a cool rally history. Unfortunately that tends to go to people's heads and fluff the image of Subaru beyond something it objectively is.
#22
Yeah, well, end of rant I guess. I try to be objective, thought I don't always succeed.
Having spent a long time in the Subaru community, one gets annoyed at the 'OMGRALLYCAR!' idiocy from WRX owners. And seeing someone be arrogant over ownership of a Subaru is just absurd.
Having spent a long time in the Subaru community, one gets annoyed at the 'OMGRALLYCAR!' idiocy from WRX owners. And seeing someone be arrogant over ownership of a Subaru is just absurd.
#23
In this day and age when apparently you can be whatever sex, race or spirit animal you feel like at the moment, then sure we can call any car a performance car.
#24
Lol. I get the sense my Fit thinks it's a furry. Maybe I'll hang a tail from the tow hook.
#25
If anyone is on the fence about the duct, here's a bit of semi useful information. I tried to mock up a duct out of cardboard to see if it was worth making a fiberglass version, and I lost 3mpg with no real change in throttle response or perceived power. After 100 miles I put the factory piece back on and mileage went back to normal.
Despite being cardboard, the shape was actually pretty good, gradual curves instead of right angles and abrupt step transitions, the overlap was sealed with tape to make it smooth, and I taped the upper side to the hood to keep it from collapsing under acceleration (I doubt there would be enough vacuum to make that happen, but don't have a gopro to point at the grill while driving).
The only explanation I could come up with is that being cardboard, it wasn't going to be an exact slip fit into the rubber hose leading to the airbox. I wrapped it as snug as I could around the hose and sealed it on the outside with more tape, but the hose stuck about a half inch into the piece, and that could make for a turbulent transition. Looking at it from the front of the car, there really wasn't anything else to cause an obstruction.
The short version is that if the duct here is something you're really considering, might as well go for it, because it's not as simple to make it work as it looks. Unfortunately for me, I'm too stubborn to give up and I have a few more ideas on how to make a more comprehensive intake mod. If it fails I'll probably add my name to the buy list, though.
Despite being cardboard, the shape was actually pretty good, gradual curves instead of right angles and abrupt step transitions, the overlap was sealed with tape to make it smooth, and I taped the upper side to the hood to keep it from collapsing under acceleration (I doubt there would be enough vacuum to make that happen, but don't have a gopro to point at the grill while driving).
The only explanation I could come up with is that being cardboard, it wasn't going to be an exact slip fit into the rubber hose leading to the airbox. I wrapped it as snug as I could around the hose and sealed it on the outside with more tape, but the hose stuck about a half inch into the piece, and that could make for a turbulent transition. Looking at it from the front of the car, there really wasn't anything else to cause an obstruction.
The short version is that if the duct here is something you're really considering, might as well go for it, because it's not as simple to make it work as it looks. Unfortunately for me, I'm too stubborn to give up and I have a few more ideas on how to make a more comprehensive intake mod. If it fails I'll probably add my name to the buy list, though.
#27
What's up everyone!
Just wanted to touch base with anyone interested in the Ram Air Duct. So far only 1 commitment. hopefully we can get this list going before end of month. Let me know if you have any questions. Fellow FitFreak @2Rismo2 can speak to his experience with the mod. Thanks for all the info you've shared thus far buddy!
Cheers!
Just wanted to touch base with anyone interested in the Ram Air Duct. So far only 1 commitment. hopefully we can get this list going before end of month. Let me know if you have any questions. Fellow FitFreak @2Rismo2 can speak to his experience with the mod. Thanks for all the info you've shared thus far buddy!
Cheers!
#29
im targeting mid-end of Nov for my dyno... i am so bent on purchasing the Ktuner... ill be a bit disappointed if i cant get the hp numbers with that added tuning support... ideal goal with current setup and ecu tuning = 130whp... might be wishful thinking
#30
thanks for reporting man!
im targeting mid-end of Nov for my dyno... i am so bent on purchasing the Ktuner... ill be a bit disappointed if i cant get the hp numbers with that added tuning support... ideal goal with current setup and ecu tuning = 130whp... might be wishful thinking
im targeting mid-end of Nov for my dyno... i am so bent on purchasing the Ktuner... ill be a bit disappointed if i cant get the hp numbers with that added tuning support... ideal goal with current setup and ecu tuning = 130whp... might be wishful thinking
Let us know how the KTuner works for you. I briefly looked at it, but the closest dealer is pretty far from me and I'm hesitant on messing with my DD.
#31
So TougeMonster_GK5, looks like no one else wants to commit? Dang ... like I said before, it's a bit pricey, but, hell, you can easily spend that on "a night on the town" with nothing to show for it in the morning. Was worth a shot....dang...
#33
It was a concern of mine as well but not anymore after owning it for a few months.
#35
Well, maybe someday, then ....it's funny, one of my first thoughts when popping the hood was why does Honda have the stock duct sucking up from below ....I considered cutting out the front of the stock piece. It is what it is, although I'm sure they have their reasons
#36
I'm assuming Honda was concerned about water ingesting as they have it coming from behind the grill. I've been through enough rain storms to be confident it's not an issue.