SDB

It must be helping. My last track event was at Sebring and I only got 7 mpg.

I am considering the Revi but don't want any noise. Are you saying that the ram air duct quiets the Revi?

Thanks.

bureau13

From inside the car I haven't noticed any difference in sound after adding the duct. I can't say about what it sounds like outside the car, as I haven't heard it from that perspective.

jds

Nick T

I was once suspicious as well...I eventually bought the REVi and the ram air duct. I have been getting 2-3 more MPG during my normal commute...which is awesome as my car was only getting 15 city/20 highway. I've been through 5 tanks since the install and i'm getting 18/22.

On top of that, it sounds really cool. :D :D

rxeightr

I concur -- there is very, very little additional noise noticed inside the cabin. The cold air intake makes no apprecable change. The REVi give a low groan, but nowhere near noisy.

TxCoyote

Does it void the warranty if you have an engine problem?

willhave8

The Ram Air Duct seemed to change the sound of the REVi alone. I can't say for sure that it reduced it. Likewise, I can't say the REVI increased the sound outside of the car as I have never measured it but it sure seems like it did to me. My car sounds different and seems louder. Still nothing like the impact I assume, from changing the exhaust.

willhave8

Only time will tell. There are reports (from who I wonder) where their supportive dealer has added a notation to the bottom of their service record stating something to the effect - aftermarket Intake Installed by customer, Emissions warranty void (e.g. Catalytic Converter) -- Until there is a problem it is a moot point

CERAMICSEAL

People need to realize that R-acing (Spelling incorrect intentionally) Beat has been around doing rotary tuning since 1971. I'm not sure if there are any companies even in Japan tuning so long. They have built a reputation for performance excellence, always considering the total picture. Ease of installation, performance, appearance, sound, durability and cost. They have never been the cheapest (Which is really upsetting to some), nor have they searched for peak numbers at the expense of overall numbers (horse p-ower that is). I've been a fan of theirs for decades and surprisingly they still impress.
Looking at the differing locations of those who praise them should also be an indicator of nothing funny going on.

Lyman BE

I actually performed little mpg test before and after I installed this. It consisted of me filling up the gas tank, driving 80 miles on the highway with the cruise control set to 65 mph, getting off the highway, and filling up again. There was virtually no traffic either time, and the only time I stopped was for 2 tolls. I tried to accelerate smoothly and shifted at 3500 rpm.

When I did this without the intake, the ambient temperature was about 65 degrees fahrenheit. I averaged 24 mpg almost exactly. This was night driving, so I was using the headlights (if that matters), but no A/C.

I then installed the RB ram air and intake. I filled the car up, and drove the same route, in the same direction. I used the same gas stations at both ends. This time the ambient temperature was 85 degrees. Again, the cruise control was at 65 and I drove identically. There was a little more traffic this time because it was daytime, but I rarely had to change speed. Due to the temperature, I did crack the front windows about 2 inches, but I didn't use the A/C. This time I was driving with the headlights off. With the RB intake and ram air, I got slightly over 28 mpg.

I'm not sure if all of the factors I mentioned, such as the headlights, shift points, and windows matter very much, but I've heard some people make claims about it. I do suspect the ambient temperature may have helped make a difference. But still, 24 mpg to 28 mpg is hard to ignore.

Before I installed the intake and ram air, I got between 14-17 mpg for a tank depending on how I drove. This was doing my daily commute. Most of the time, I got 14 or 15 mpg. Since the install, I usually get 18-20. It is not hard to get over 20 mpg around town now, but I don't have that level of restraint :D .

I also found that changing my shift point from 3000 rpm to 3500 rpm and driving within that range has significantly helped. I use Royal Purple oil in the engine and transmission. Also, I recently had Dealer service which included a "special additive" for cleaning out the carbon buildup in the engine. I didn't expect much from that, but I think it helped significantly as well. That could just be placebo, but I reccomend trying it just in case.

Yeah it's alot of work to get the average fuel economy from 14 mpg up to 20 mpg, but I think that, given the cost of gas, it'll pay for itself. The more money I can save in gas, the more I will have saved up for new parts. Plus, the slight performance increase was the real goal, and for that, the intake works well... even if it's mostly just in my head.

dmp

24mpg in an RX8 is unbelieveable from my perspective...I'd be thrilled to hit 21, even on a long road trip.