I wrote this in the section about intakes. I re-read the rest of that particular thread, and worried that it would get lost in the arguing about "To tune, or not to tune", and also "N/A v. Turbo." This is kind of a culmination piece about what I've been thinking as I plunge into the world of tuning. So, it's a rookie's point of view, but, by no means the point of view of a completely ignorant individual. I would appreciate it if those of you in similar positions would read, and, if I am incorrect, please correct me. The whole purpose of writing this is to get confirmation, and also to help my DEVO Lancer bretheren. Please, read on.

[In regards to voiding warranty]-- Your dealer tries to give you $hit about mods? The Moss-Harvey Act of 1988 [I think that's the right name and date, but this is on the books], which is law, states that any aftermarket product not offered by the dealer at the time of sale and does no apparent harm to an engine is legal, and cannot void the warranty. This mainly applies to bolt ons, and such, and wouldn't cover internal engine work. The reason this law is in effect is because under the old law, simply changing the spark plugs could void the warranty, which was an atrocity. Now, of course, tuners can take advantage of this because intake, catback exhaust, headers, and ignition upgrades have been shown to extend engine life, and improve both emissions and fuel economy.

Now, this applies to you if RMR was not available at the time of sale.

So, those of you who say that RMR is worth the extra cash due to the fact that it doesn't void warranty, you're wrong. Fact is, if RMR wasn't available at the TOS, you can claim the M-H Act, be it an intake by RRM, AEM, Weapon R, or Injen.

Secondly, I was planning on purchasing the "short ram" offered by RRM, and was discussing it with a performance mechanic friend of mine. He said that in order for the short ram to be effective in any way shape or form, it would require air directly on it. In essence, the evo duct would be necessary to get even half of the true potential of the intake. That means cutting up your hood. Which would defintely take you out from bumper to bumper warranty, if not powertrain.

This also applies to the RMR intake, in that it is essentially the same as the RRM. I would like to state now that I COMPLETELY object to RMR calling their intake a "cold air" in that if you look at the design of the Injen in comparison, it makes the RMR a joke. 1) by definition a cold air intake is supposed to be as far away from the core heat source as possible. The RMR and the RRM, heat shield or not, are right in the thick of the core, just as the stock airbox itself is.

The Weapon R, I really have no information about, only to say that the only time I see the dragon filters in my area, they are on racers who think they can half @$$ their way to more horsepower. Also, I distrust any company that would try and sell a product that required more purchasing to make their product more effective instead of creating a better product [i.e. the "cold ram air" kit that utilizes new piping for the Dragon cold air].

What this all comes down to is that you get what you pay for. The Injen intake, though twice as much as the others, does a considerable amount. The actual filter is as far away from the engine as possible, and instead of the same rubber hose utilized by the stock airbox, it completely replaces everything with insulated aluminum tubing. You ask me, I think this is the best engineered, true cold air available for the US Lancer. Or else I would go the other route, and waste the cash on the other three.

Granted, people are going to have different opinions on this, and nothing I say will make everyone agree with me, which is not the intent. The intent is to say, you get what you pay for. I don't believe the Injen is overpriced anymore than I think the RRM is underpriced. I simply believe that in the real world, the buyer must beware, and especially in the subculture of the Auto Industry, and the Aftermarket industry.

Other's input welcome, nay, requested.

 

of course the issue with price versus power is now becoming less and less a battlefield i think. we can now get the injen intake for $215 w/ shipping which is not too far from rrm and rmr. another point of concern for the show and shine crowd (Which i am) is the general look of the products. now we all praise rmr and rrm for stepping up and making parts for the lancer but as far as aesthetics go, they lack. in fact i dont even think it was a thought when they were making the intakes. for me the injen is not only the best for my money due to the fact that is is a true CAI, but it looks damn good. these are the factors that made the extra money i spent not an issue.

 

You make some valid points in that name brand products doesn't necessarily equal speed or hp. However, even though the airfilter is near the heat source once the car is moving that hot air or quite a bit of it will be sucked out of the engine bay. I have datalogged my car and have monitored airtemps realtime. I can't give the numbers off the top of my head and I can do a quick comparison when I get home. But, the underhood temps do vary from curbside idling to freeway driving. Heat shields do help a lot as well. I know quite a few ppl who have made their own shields for the very purpose of keeping as much heat away from the filter as possible. The total is the sum of it's parts.

Have you seen the "Iceman cold intake"? That one had an extension tube that almost ran down to the ground. Of course, the airfilter was there.


Mike L.

 

I disagree with you over the issue of ambient engine compartment temprature. While heat shields can make a goodly amount of differrence, and that not idling causes temperature goes to down with airflow, the simple fact is that the dyno results from both companies [and thus, the two designs represented] speak for themselves. RMR has cited gains of 5-7 at the wheels. The RRM intake differs very slightly from the RMR design, so, I will not say that they are the same, but it could be safe to assume they would be similar [I'm sure I'll have an RRM represenative sending me another angry post or e-mail about that].

The Injen intake is not tested yet. However, an Eclipse intake from Injen that has exactly the same design gained 18 to the wheels as reported by Sport Compact Magazine about two months ago when referring to new products on the market. So, to say that the RMR intake, on a very very very [above normal] good day, gets half of that of the Injen, it leads one to say that the design of the RMR [and subsequently RRM] intake[s] is a little less than perfected.

The reason I cited the location of the filter is due to the fact that it is really the main difference of the two designs, other than the use of insulated aluminum instead of the stock rubber hosing connecting to the throttlebody, which makes a difference, but not nearly as much as the location of the filter itself.

As for Iceman, they are using the same design as the Injen. The Injen filter rests a scant few inches from the skid plate above ground on the driver side, which is just above the ground. I think it is the best design for an intake for the simple reason that it is away from the majority of the ambient heat core.

In response to the comment about aesthetics, I couldn't agree more. I'm a big fan of the fact that when I get it, the only plastic will be apparrent is the necessary resevoirs and wiring. I have never liked that damn airbox. I think it destroys an otherwise pleasant engine compartment.

 

You are the same guy the started thread "Check my Math" right? Right!! Best to say RMR or RRM are their own interpretation for the Lancer. Like to see real number on Injen, not price $$$. And not So called 20 hp they printed on box. They are full of S@#$t.

 

Hey guys I am new to the forum and thought I would share my 2 cents

I think StreetLancer is taking a logical approach. Really do you want the most bang for your buck? Everyone knows that Cold Air = more power. And if you think about it right next to the engine, and at the top of the engine compartment is not the best place to get air. Heat shields may work but the air filter is still sucking hot air that is at the top of the engine compartment. I am going to buy an Injen Cold Air intake. It’s the most logical intake.

 

Raul, go to the other post. Not once did I claim I was positive on the numbers, but quite to the contrary.

While I may not have the right numbers, the concept is sound. Look at the design, and you tell me which one you think would work better, if you know that to create a true cold air, you must take the intake away from the heat source. From a logical stand point, I think I make the best case.

In addition, the other post has nothing to do with logic, but trying to seperate Sales pitches from reality. Did I believe all that stuff I got thrown at me? No. Else I would have claimed those numbers, and sounded like a know-nothing Jack ***. Truth of the matter is, you read that post, and you'll realize I didn't believe anything about those numbers, or even the numbers in this article. The numbers I got here for the Injen refer to the same numbers in the other article. The RMR and RRM numbers, however, came from multiple different sources in this forum, and are generally agreed upon as true.

 

i know i am jsut butting in and all, but i was just wondering if anyone knows where i can get the injen intakes for the cheapest price.. if u can help please do so thanks

 

No such thing as butting in if you have something worth saying.

Cheapest I've found is Adventon.com. They have it for 199 USD, versus the list price of 320 USD. Great savings. Most other sites list it for 250.

 

thanks for the help.. but i was just wondering what the difference is in the three injen intakes that there are. they all look the same to me...im new to the import seen but want my car a lil faster..

 

To be honest, that's something I'd like to have answered too. It probably has something to do with the size of the pipes or some lame stuff like that. And it's the "top of the line"... whatever that means.

 

The difference, if anybody still cares, is the color. You pay a little more for a red pipe or a blue pipe versus polish. Not to get off topic (hehe) but every time I look at the word "polish" on an intake I think of the proper noun "Polish" like in "Polish sausage." I have no idea why I typed that last part. I'm sleepy and I'm at work...what do you want from me?!