NEW K&N Intake Press Release
 

K&N asked that I post this on here for them. We first launched the original K&N intake for the RX8 2 years ago. Last November I leaked some pictures on this site of a redesign. Well it is now available from any of your local K&N dealers or RX8Club sponsors that sell K&N.

Here is the verbage on it -
K&N, the leader in intake performance, has just redesigned their Mazda RX8 intake kit. This revolutionary designed increases the rx8 by 10 horsepower at the wheels (Dyno Sheet to be posted soon). The carbon fiber intake with reverse funnel design sucks in more volume of air then conventional cone filters. It utilizes an aluminum intake tube which has a MAF mount for perfect readings that do not affect the cars operation. The heatshield is redesigned in aluminum to fit flawlessly around the intake to keep the engine heat from penetrating the intakes direct airflow. Powdercoated in a stylish black with the K&N logo. The kit includes silicon hose connections and new clamps for a secure fit. All K&N intakes include detailed installation instructions.

Here is a link to detailed INSTALLTION INSTRUCTIONS

More pics and dyno sheets from tests to be FOUND HERE

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/images/k&nrx8new.jpg

After all the wonderful stories I read about the Typhoon :rolleyes: , I think I'll go with the Revi :D

No offense K & N, I've used your products in other cars for YEARS but I am just not feeling this one...

What about sound level? Do you lose the stock cover over the intake and end up with a hole?

Almost $500 for 5 to 6 HP. :rolleyes: And to top it all of that Ghetto ass looking ram air funnel thing doesn't even fit behind some aftermarket bumpers.

Kinda late, I ordered the new Typhoon already.

Im using the *older* version and will install this *new one* to my 2005 Shinka.

I will post my *feelings* about it as soon as I get it on my hands.

nycgps:

What did you pay for the "new" typhoon?

well, I paid 300 bux included shipping.

Its kinda pricey, but I've been using K&N for years so dont really feel like to change to other brand. Not saying Racing beat is bad, I know K&N's design came from REVi, but ahh.

I still like Racing Beat's stuff

Actually this design doesn't look half bad. Is the filter removable and can be recharged?

Yes removable and can be recharged.

Why don't manufacturers use plastic intake pipes? Wouldn't that be far more effective in terms of not absorbing heat instead of the stupid generic alumnium...which just begs to absorb all the engine bay heat. This isn't against K&N specifically...just curious as to why they aren't attempting such a feat in this application.

On my fathers truck, the entire K&N intake system is made of plastic, which works fantastically since it basically insulates the entire air charge from the engine bay heat.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/im..._n/63-1095.jpg

Because there isnt the "bling" factor involved with plastic. The metal definately heats up and will heat soak the air for a short time until you can get a lot of air flowing through. I was taking temps on my AEM setup in my Spyder when autocrossing. Sitting in grid I could watch the intake temps climb after a run even with the engine cover open. It would cool back down after my next run but then climb right back up. I ended up insulating the entire tube with thick, reflective foam wrap. Dropped the temps by several degrees. Still wasnt as cool as the factory plastic intake, but the factory intake is very restrictive.

For daily driving the temps were the same insulated or not. Once moving, the airflow through the tube is fast enough to not heatsoak. It only really comes into play if you are sitting at idle or slow moving traffic for long periods of time.

Doesn't alumnium help deflect the heat? Think about using alumnium foil when cooking or reheating. We use it to cover food because it keeps the heat in. If we cook on it, it never get as hot as the metal rack it lying on. Furthermore, alumnium is used as the heat shield.

actually it has nothign to do with "Bling" K&N has several different types of intake kits. The 63series is the molded plastic. This intake is twice as expensive to produce then the standard aluminum pipe. Yes the molded plastic is better, but the aluminum in terms of what it is retaining and the negatives for your car is BARELY noticeable. If there was a cheap way to rotomold this stuff and produce it, then all intakes would be made out of it. But you have to admit this redesign is much nicer then the original.

Will K&N apply for CARB certification for this intake?

Step 41 says place CARB sticker somewhere that can be seen.

WOW - I thought these things took time to certify. This makes a decision between the K+N and REVi a little simpler. Now I just hope K+N is living up to its promised HP claim. Because if they do, I'm getting this!!!

how is the noise level on this thing?

someone has a video clip somewhere?

I ordered the RB's Ram Air Duct and the new K&N intake at the same time.

they shipped the thing already and it should be here by .... next wednesday and thursday.

I will install both as soon as I get them.

Then Im gonna post something on here.

would there be any benefit from using the rb ram unit in conjunction with this unit? Is this intake more/less efficient than the revi? I want a good reason for me to go this route instead of the traditional rb route.

Thanks

If you say that, I think you have not seen it in real life. Nothing farther from "ghetto look". Actually, it is a very well made piece which fits in an extremely precise way. Just like as if it'd came from the factory. You can't even see it if it's installed - it's so well hidden.

One advantage of this K&N creation over the REVi is the much easier access to the filter for cleaning. Apart from that though, I still like the REVi + cold air duct combo much better. It is plastic (apart from a short tube after the intake box) so it shields better from heat and it looks like stock.
Hopefully I'll have better chance to get through the California smog checks with the REVi due to it's stealth look. Perhaps I'll cover the Racing Beat logo with a black sticker for the inspection :D

no offence tamas but I take your opinion as a biased one. You already have the revi so you are partial to it. I just don't think that the revi flows more air than this intake because of the limited source to air. Like if I put my head in a box just with an opening vs. my head out of the box. Plus this K&N unit looks to have a heat shield.

No offense taken - I think you're right. Of course I'm biased :D

is k&n going to offer just the filter for those who spent $300 on their 1st intake? or are they expecting you to spend another $300 dollars on the new one and use the old one to remind you of how they scamed you out of $300 dollars with their first air intake. i think thats the least K&n can do to keep their first rx8 costumers happy after their first short air intake kit!!!!!

^^^^^Good luck getting them to do that. I didn't buy their first intake so I'm ok spending the 300 for this one. I think the way the rb revi is selling is punishment enough.

Maybe I'm missing something...where is the K&N supposed to be getting all this extra air? If the heat shield really seals off the filter from the rest of he engine bay then its getting air through the same hole as the REVi. If not, then its not much of a heat shield and its getting hot air. Now, does greater flow trump cooler air? I don't know, it probably depends on a number of things, but intake manufacturers have been picking sides on this one for years.

jds

^^ very much my thoughts too - but since I'm biased, I better shut up... ;)

this is very interesting......

I was pretty much set to get the REVi + air duct combo.... but now this comes along..

I would have to wait for a soundclip/videoclip of this or some more reviews of ppl who own this...

some reasons that i would go for this setup would be :

1) cheaper than REVI+duct
2) does not require removal of bumper during installation
3) ease on cleaning filter

some reasons that i would NOT go for this setup would be:

1) noise level (if its anywhere close to the old typhoon setup then screw this)
2) hot air (looks like ppl are already starting this debate)

I don't know but I believe the k&n dynos 10whp. I really think that the k&n flows better than the revi but sound is probably louder with the k&n. Remember, RB usually makes their products a little more subtle for mature audiences and might sacrifice power for overall sound. :confused:

What brand of intake you choose; it is almost a must to install the RB air duct.
Idle will be better, so will the airflow to the intake and if you look at that
Part that you remove to install the duct (vfad or what’s its name)
How air get's to the filter with that thing is beyond me....

I'm not saying you're wrong, because I have no idea, but why do you think the K&N flows better than the REVi? As for the dynos, has anyone other than K&N made this 10 hp claim? Remember, they made virtually the same claim in their marketing spiel for the first intake, and yet that one is pretty universally trashed now.

I'm not badmouthing K&N, I respect their filter designs...they did after all do the filter in the REVi.

jds

Well, most intakes for the 8 are trying to extract power at an exceptable noise level. K&n is all about maximum air flow. You can't have both when you want to acheive maximum gains. modding a car comes with sacrifices. IMO as long as this new unit keeps a steady idle and has no vibrations, I probably will go with it and add the rb ram air duct. I rather have the duct guiding air to the filter than being the only source of air. I believe that the revi owners will be sufficating their cars at idle with an attached ram air.

No more than having the stock VFAD attached to the air box. So if that's suffocating... :)

Funny, RB specifically produced these two to work together. And so far I have read 0 complaints of rough idle.....


Oh wait, that was K&N's first attempt at stealing people's money.....

Rotarygod had an excellent post on ramair quite awhile ago. I'll see if I can find it. Basically what everyone thinks is ram air (think pontiac), isn't.

To get a ram air effect, you have to restrict the incoming air....
Same volume in less space = more velocity. Simple physics folks!
Think of a garden hose. Turn it on, place thumb over the end...note how far it sprays out and with how much force. Remove thumb...compare.

It's not quite that simple. True ram air isn't restricting airflow per se. It is about utilizing the natural pressure variations of air when you alter its speed and then using this pressure to your benefit.

Did someone say that the K&N isn't as much of a restriction because it is louder and the REVi is because it is working as an intake muffler? I have a flowbench. Who wants to test that theory? I don't have to as that is flawed logic and absolutely untrue. Besides, I'm pretty sure that regardless of what ultimae flow number each puts down and regardless of who's is higher, they will most likely both still outflow the needs of the engine. There's more to it than that.

Aye I know its not that simple..was trying to simplify it though. I can't find your ram-air post anywhere. I tried ram-air myth, ram myth, ramair, and intake myth...nothing.

Ah HA!

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...t=intake+myths

There ya go...intake myths brought it up :).

what if you installed the rb ram air duct with the old K&N Typhoon? I just want to save myself some money since i already bought an intake