Dammit, I didn't even think to ask since it was so new. Would have saved me $25 or so....

jds

 

Just finished up my installation and it took about 2 1/2 hours. I wasn't hurrying either so it could be done faster. A couple of things to note if you've never removed the nose of the car: if you have the fog lights, the wiring harness is removed by squeezing the clip and pulling....unlike the side marker lights which rotate. That slowed me down a bit because it was not easy to get at the back of the lights, I couldn't see well and I assumed they rotated like the side marker lights. I also had trouble with the stupid plastic screw-fasteners inside the wheel well since some of them had grit in them and did not want to come out. I had to use a pair of pliers to hold the outer ring while "unscrewing" the inner fastener so it would pop up and I could pull it out. If you're having trouble with any of the plastic fasteners, take your time to remove them so you don't break them. There's no hurry and if it takes an extra half hour overall it's worth it to not break one.

The instructions are clear and pretty easy to follow. Weight savings by removing the vfad is maybe a couple of pounds, it's not very heavy. The REVi is a very clean installation and the unit itself is a work of art. Everything fit into place perfectly; exactly as it should.

Road test: I could tell the difference the moment I started the car; it idled smoother and sounded smoother. In fact, holding the shift lever I could barely, and I mean barely feel anything. The smoothness now is almost eerie. Driving down the street it was immediately noticeable that the acceleration is stronger and more responsive. Driving at normal residental street speeds on my way to the freeway the car felt very smooth and wasn't any louder than stock. Jumping on the freeway to go to In 'N Out Burgers to reward myself with a double-double combo (if you live in an area that doesn't have In 'N Out Burgers, I feel for ya) I could feel a definite difference in performance. At full throttle you can hear the intake...it sounds "roarier" if that's a legitimate word but not loud by any means. The car pulls stronger all the way through the range of rpm's. At freeway speeds the engine is so smooth it almost seems weird. I can barely feel any vibration in the shift lever now it's so smooth, even on the freeway. I couldn't hear the intake at cruising speed; it was no louder than stock. Punching the gas in 6th gear actually does something now which was a nice surprise. 4th, 5th and 6th gear are more responsive when accelerating. Overall it's worth it; combined with the RB exhaust which I already had this is a nice addition.

When I was at RB this morning picking up the unit I was talking with Jim Langer and he showed me a cut-away production unit and was telling me about all they went through to get it to work as it now does. Jim was saying that the planned cold air intake will in fact add some more horsepower to the intake when it becomes available. They've already tested some prototypes and he said they do add some power; how much he wouldn't say but that was okay. I know when it's ready they'll give an accurate number of what it does. He couldn't say when it would be ready or how much it would cost but it is in the works and I expect to get one once it becomes available. I've said it before and I'll say it again...RB is a class act and these guys really do care about the quality of their products and are not into "hype" and exaggerated claims just to make a buck.

Overall I'm very pleased with this unit and I'll start keeping track of gas mileage to see if it improves any.

 

^^very nice review ole spiff^^

 

excellent review ole spiff, I am nervouse about removing the nose though. How difficult is it, and how open is it for a large expensive error?

 

I have a few questions
Did the RB Intake come with instructions on how to remove the front bumper?
What sort of tools are needed for this kind of installation?
Do you think the installation is too complicated for someone who has never tinkered with the engine before?

 

yes.
screw drivers and sockets/driver
no.

spiff- roarier is now a word, along with my "growlier" term for it:D

 

ALL RIGHT!!!! just received my UPS confirmation for the REVi intake.... Should arrive on April 15th.... oh!! boss i'm taking the day off... :-)

Very happy customer... good job Racing Beat.

 

I'm impressed you could feel a 3-5hp difference. I doubt I could.
________
LovelyWendie99

 

Has anyone done datalogs to get AFRs throughout the RPM range with this new intake in? I am interested to see if the AFRs at WOT are closer to 13:1 than stock.

 

thank you zoom
on a side note, I was trying to edit a reply earlier I clicked "save changes" and then it said my IP has been banned. I havent tried it again but i can still post like usual so maybe it was just a flaw...

 

Hey Jason, thanx for the Ad! I just placed an order from you on the website. When will these be shipped? I can't wait either

 

I was told by RB on the 6th that the next run will be completed in 7-14 business days.

 

I just talked with Racing Beat today and they had a few in stock. I will send them the order tomorrow and see if its going to ship in the next day to you. I will send send you an email.

Thanks
Jason

 

Not only do you loos weight from the VFAD, the RB unit it's self is much lighter.

Sorry. didn't weigh them. Was too anixous to install. You can pick the intakes up and tell there is a big difference.

As fas a telling the HP gain here's what you really feel. The increased torque and HP throughout the whole range.

The stock RX8 is so weak on the low end torque that you can easily tell the improvement with the REVI intake.

AND yes, you better have a few extra bucks left over for that double double at IN & OUT.

 

Hey guys i need opinions. I'm a huge fan of CAI's...if RB is plannin on making a CAI that is even better then this new intake...what's stopping me from waiting till they come out with a CAI? Are there advantages to having a CAI over the one they just released?
Thanks

 

I believe the CAI will be an addon to this intake. I don't believe you will be able to get it without getting the REVi first. Someone correct me if i'm wrong?

 

Ya they are just gonna come out with a cold air extension tube

 

Jim said the CAI will be an add-on to the REVi.

As far as installation goes, the instructions include everything from start to finish with photos; including removing the nose of the car. Tools are simple; small philips, flatblade, small socket with 10mm socket; 10mm wrench, pair of pliers. I had never removed the nose either but it was pretty easy and was much lighter than I expected; I did the whole job by myself easily. Important thing is to read the instructions CAREFULLY and don't assume you know what it's going to say. Pay attention to when it says "use the screws provided" or "keep what you've removed for later use". One thing I left out in my description was when inserting the MAF sensor into the RB housing (a beautiful blue anodized aluminum tube) look at it from the side and press firmly enough to make sure it seats completely so you can't see any light between the seal of the MAF and the housing. It's somewhat tight to fit in but press until it goes in. If it's really tough, RB recommends a tiny bit of lubricant around the tube opening to help getting the MAF sensor to seat properly.

With regards to feeling only 3 hp, I also have RB's exhaust and the combo works really well. I may be getting more than a normal boost compared to the intake with stock exhaust. Acceleration feels stronger...period. From a standing start; easy acceleration; hard acceleration; freeway passing acceleration. It's not mind-blowing but it's definitely noticeable. This was a great upgrade and definitely worth the money to me. :D

 

picked mine up thursday at 1 p.m.!!! but cant install till like sunday. if ne1 in the cerritos area wants to check it out PM me haha

 

I doubt you'd ever feel a 5 hp peak difference...but if this intake is adding 5 hp across the entire rev range...thats a completely different story.

I wish the industry would come up with some sort of system/rating to capture the difference between a wide rev range boost, vs a tiny peak power boost. Some sort of number to illustrate the total area increase vs the two curves.

This type of push might also stop manufacturers from constantly trying to tune for peak power...and actually set more products up for entire rev range increases.

 

They could just quote a percent change in the area under the curve along with the peak, but that doesn't sound too sexy.

 

WM&J Super Cold Air Intake System! Ultra #1 Extreme Happy 37% RBA Increase!++ (Rev band area) The coldness is the ultimate weapon, the battle is won with the air acceleration!

It could work!

 

Well... I too jumped on this boat. Just placed an order with Jason for a REVi Intake. I hope its worth the money.

 

I have a question for those who already installed the REVi Intake.

There is a black plastic piece under the stock air inlet duct.

Would it be a good idea to remove it to let more air in or i was thinking to
drill some holes in it (let's dirty would enter engine bay) i guess..

Thanks
SB

REVi to arrive next Friday.:D

 

i left it. i think it could lead to the possibility of more water splash up through there and getting in the intake. although at least part of it is probably going to have to go in the future for the upcoming air duct add on.