So I have read quite a bit of information that says both of the following:

1. After market intakes increase HP only if tuned properly (stand-alone or flash)

2. After market intakes always decrease HP due to inconsistent MAF readings

I only aks because I have an Apexi power intake and induction box waiting to be installed and am wondering if there is any official or documented information instead of hear-say. Any input from Dynoflash or Vishnu would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

you shouldnt decrease any since you have a 3" turbo back but you arent gonna see any real gains without a flash.

 

Is the EVO ecu just not capable of learning anything? I mean with my last car, granted it wasn't turbo, I could just bolt on and go. Is it the turbo itself that makes it have to be flashed all the time? Or just Mistu's in general? I mean having to get a flash for just an intake or exhaust kinda baffles me. I'd love to throw a cat-back on but everyone says it'll mess with boost... Can someone set me straight?

 

For starters, the EVO is programmed to run far too rich for best power. You'll never be able to make full use of upgraded hardware without addressing this issue in the software. Be advised.

The ECU does have adaptive learning ability. However, if an aftermarket intake kit creates turbulent airflow through the MAS (and some most definitely do), that distorts the signal the ECU sees. If the signal is not giving the ECU accurate information, then you probably shouldn't expect a positive result.

If you want power, forget about 'bling' intakes and address the software issue, followed by basic hardware issues. Since there are cars running 11 sec E.T.s with the stock airbox, the intake is not really a limiting factor.

 

I was wondering the same thing about the same intake and air box. people keep telling me not to even bother????? can an aftermarket air intake really be negative for every application?

If anyone can answer this question i'll give you a nickle.

 

So I was thinking about JUST a cat-back or something, would I have to flash just for an exhaust. I plan on leaving the intake alone with just the K&N.

sophic, intakes aren't bad for everyone. I had one on my last car (NA) and it was a champ, made a HUGE difference, in a good way.

 

[/QUOTE]If you want power, forget about 'bling' intakes and address the software issue,[QUOTE]

but if I get a reflash I need to get the bling intake first. right? or do you mean software upgrade like UTEC or SAFC? or the wachamacallit.

 

when I said bad for every application, I ment on the evo. sorry I wasn't clear, but everyone seems to say no matter what route you go on upgrading the evo no matter how much money you spend. A bling intake should not even be in your vocabulary.

Bling!

 

I know this is always a debate since the stock airbox is very capable of handling and supporting high hp motors.But,I bought the INJEN intake and hardpipe kit and it woke my car right up.Ran a guy with the same mods as me but I had the intake and he had the stock airbox still in and I pulled on him.Though I didnt run him before the intake so I might just have a stonger car or be better driver.But I think the intake was worth the money.And that was before it was flashed.I would definatly get flash because it makes a world of difference.It was like a totally different car after my TURBO TRIX flash.

 

But there are other threads where persons reported a loss with the very same setup. If an aftermarket intake somehow inadvertently causes the ECU lean the signal, then it could increase power a bit. Of course, the increase would be attributable to lucky glitch and not because of any improvement in design.

The fact of the matter is that just recalibrating the software properly will make a larger difference than any bolt-ons one can add to an otherwise stock EVO. No, a reflash or equivalent doesn't add any 'bling'. But it does make the car go faster.

 

Right, so the toss up is to....
A) put on the intake and box and get a reflash
B) return the intake and box, and get intercooler piping
C) return the intake and box, and get cam gears (kinda unrelated)

any input???

 

I have a Vishnu Stage 0+ (XEDE, TB Exhaust) right now. When I had my car dynotuned by Shiv in the beginning of September, we did a few runs with an HKS RS intake to see what the difference was. The car made about 5 more horse and about 5 less torque then the stock box, all this without the XEDE, but the A/F curve had a terrible slope compaired to stock (which was relatively flat). Unfortunately I don't have the dyno charts from the HKS runs (left them at Turbo Trix) or I would post them up so you could analyze for yourself.

Really, it all depends on what performance program/tuner you decide to go with when it comes to flash/stand-alones and intakes. I recommend you talk to each tuner directly and see what their thoughts are on this subject.

 

right but getting the bolt ons and then reflashing should be better right?
but the question originally axed was, can an aftermarket intake cause more bad than good?

 

Can an aftermarket intake cause more harm than good? Yes.

Where reflashing and other means of ECU tuning are concerned, be advised that the factory programming is not getting the full power potential from the factory hardware (exhaust, cams, etc.) as it is. One can get 20-30whp from retuning the ECU with the existing hardware. Adding bolt-ons to a tuned car will add bits and pieces of power from that point onward.

This information is very broad in scope. There are details that pertain to individual mods that are too extensive to discuss here.

 

Good point. The main question was....(in everyone's opinions), is an aftermarket intake worth the power gains if going for a flash also. And as far as an uneven a/f curve won't an AFC fix it?