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| Reinstall the lawnmower shroud and you are good to go. For a future mod, we might make a cover to fully shield the filter from hot engine compartment air. |
Next up, we removed the stock airbox and inlet tube and installed the K&N kit. The K&N Typhoon intake is a high quality part with a smooth mandrel bent aluminum tube that replaces the constricted and ribbed stock plastic piece. The MAF tube is built right into the tube and the overall diameter necks down to the size of the stock MAF tube to keep airflow readings accurate. High quality multi ply silicone couplers are used. The hardware is top notch, all nuts, bolts and washers are non rusting stainless steel with nylock nuts. A large K&N conical airfliter element with a stainless steel end cap filters the air with a large velocity stack to smooth airflow into the intake.
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| We made all of our runs with the hood up in 3rd gear, both baseline and with the air intake. For baseline runs, we warmed the car up with the hood closed. |
To reduce the ingestion of hot air, a heat shield with rubber weather stripping blocks hot air wash from the radiator. The intake is fed cool air via the stock front air scoop and the opening in the front fenderwell that feeds the air flapper door. Everything packages pretty neatly and the air intake is simple and easy to install with refreshingly clear instructions.
After installation we resumed our dyno testing and were amazed to find that the guys at K&N were absolutely right about the intake, taking an average run, the IS-F belted out almost 325 whp @ 6100 rpm and 294 lb/ft or torque @ 5450 rpm. A peak to peak gain of 23 whp and 7 lb/ft of torque! This is probably the biggest gain we have ever gotten out of any air intake that we have tested to date. The gains are not quite as big as the ones that K&N claimed but considering the conservative nature of the Superflow dyno, still impressive indeed and a big surprise to us. The K&N also sounded awesome making the IS-F sound like it was packing a NASCAR motor!
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| The K&N intake sounds fantastic but is still quiet at part throttle. |
