random Q... anyone try the AFE setup yet???

 

So guys, if I get it right, the best way of upgrading intake system is:
1. Z-tube & Z-tube airbox with stock air filter
2. MotorDyne Spacer 5/16"
Is it right or Z-tube is useless too & the only aftermarket upgrade that works is MD Spacer?

 

Z-tube will improve sound of stock system, newer OEM-velocity stack should theorethically flow better than old version, stock or high-flow drop-in filter (but keep them clean) and of course the spacer.

The spacer will do the most for you, the other parts will show minimal gains on a dyno vs stock, but they should make the flow more efficient which you should feel through the pedal and a little louder too, but not as loud as aftermarket.

 

Yep i have the AFE intake, its pretty nice but im thinkin about goin stock airbox with drop-in or trying a stillen CAI.

 

any pics/review??? looked like a cool design

 

I felt a very noticeable increase in throttle response and the engine sound was AWESOME! It also felt like the car got lighter in the front i guess from getting rid of the stock airbox. It's a good intake but i wouldnt pay retail for it, i bought it used but pretty much brand new.

 

wheres the Motordyne intake?...

 

In the works for sure.

Was working on it all weekend. Today too.

 

Here here!

This entire topic is pretty interesting. Still doing my research, and waiting to see what approach Motordyne might take.

Obviously not scientific, but the stock intake vs aftermarket intake debate has been taking place on these boards, Zboards, BMW boards, and likely many others for the last few years. I've looked through a lot of threads and sub-threads over the past few months. In my unqualified opinion, to date it does not appear that anyone has made an NA intake that clearly outperforms the stock intake. So far, a high throughput filter (i.e. K&N) seems to be the best bet, if you don't mind the maintenance, and it probably makes sense to add the 05/06 revup venturi to the 03/04 stock box, if you're so inclined. If a topic has been so slosely contended for so long, chances are the performance changes are negligible.

Still researching z-tubes as well. I have no interest in noise modifiers; aesthetics and performance while keeping near stock (i.e. stealth, set them and forget them mods only) is what I'm after.

I was surprised to see the exact same topic being discussed on Beemer boards. This is an indication, to me, that the designers of these "higher end", "performance" type vehicles may have thought a few of their design choices through. Nice to know.

 

Iso-Therm? Lizard Skin-esque?...

 

Iso Thermal for sure.

Better than the stock box for both flow and thermal isolation.

 

In the mid to late 90's I think intakes really had their moment, but then it seems like the OEM's kind of took note and made their future versions more efficient and affective. I would have to say that using the Z-tube with a stock box will not be all that loud, louder than stock, but not by much. if you had your radio turned up just mid-way it would overpower the stock box with z-tube.

as for the AFE design, I liked it wanted to get it, but after putting one on my brothers civic I saw some things I didnt like. Their filter was nice and their heatshield was nice, but the air tube was a poorly formed piece of molded plastic and I didnt like how poor the MAF sensor mount was. The AFE MAF design is similar to Injen, except they use a plastic tube with a cheap foam spacer instead of aluminum.

My brother has enjoyed it, but every once in awhile he gets a CEL with it.