I got curious today and took out my air filter from the airbox. I ran this car at the drag strip on sunday with the air filter in and ran 15.3 incase no one has seen that post yet. Well, after removing the air filter and taking a little joy ride... I must say WOW. It is incredible how much difference I could tell in how hard the car pulls with it out.

Keep in mind, this is dangerous to do as your intake air has nothing to filter out the dirt, dust, birds, bees, rocks, and whatever else is flying around on the road. If you take your car to the strip, remove the airfilter and give it a try.. the sound this thing makes is AMAZING. Sounds like a supercharger spinning after MIVEC engages in the high rpm range. This engine is so restricted from the factory.. it's unreal. I bet you with a cat-back and the air filter removed.. the car would pull 14.7 with a good launch. Just thought I'd share my experiment with you all.

 

just run a k&n panel filter, you will get better flow

-joe

 

It's still pretty restrictive with the K&N but it's better.

 

I have a friend who did off road racing years ago. According to him your right, taking out the filter to go around the block and see how it feels won't hurt anything. New motors are built to take a little bit of abuse here and there. But this will probably bring up the SRI vs CAI debate. I think I'm going to end up with a SRI, and I knowThe CAI seems to get 2-3 more Hp at the wheels but a SRI seems to have better throttle response and its easyer to take care of so I have to wonder how practicle that maybee 2-3 Hp is.

 

I'm checking with Kool Blue air to see if they make a filter that will fit our cars... TBC...

 

You can get a K&N for like 60 or 70 bucks.

 

i think teh k&n flows good enough, since i get all sorts of "road kill" in the filter

-joe

 

i dont know about the debates but good throttle response is a hard thing to come by in our cars cause there not too well designed in that aspect the servo motor for the throttle will alwys have lag time, and the stupid sensor should be mounted under the dash if it is for fly by wire :S be way way way cheaper on the fasctory


Thanks
Tory

 

I dont believe the whole K&N thing.. ok maybe it flows better than the cheapo air filters but still its too restrictive. Waste of money in my opinion. By the way, someone take out their filter and run around the block and tell me if you get same results I did. I bet you gain at least 5-8hp with no filter.

 

Got a response: Kool Blue does NOT make one for the Ralliart yet.

added* ALTHOUGH, I just checked and the one they make for the 2003 Lancer has almost the same specs as the K & N for the 2004 Ralliart. Hmmm, maybe I'll try one out...

 

Buy a cheap replacement filter, gut it out, slip some pantyhose over it and reinstall into stock airbox. voila!

 

you can do that.. i will stick to my k&n

erikt, our filter is the same as the evo 8.. did you check that one?

-joe

 

sillypuddy, I checked and it has the same specs as the other Lancer one I checked. I'm guessing it will fit. I'm going to take a chance and order one. Will post results.

 

I tried this today. I needed to replace my filter today so after I bought a new one I cut out the inside of my old filter and drove around like that. I could really feel a difference. After I get my eyelids, an SR will be my next buy.

 

lol, i found a baby blue bird in mine. Think of what that would do to the engine.