Simota SRI Intake - Review
05-08-2007, 09:28 AM
#26
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05-09-2007, 12:32 PM
#30
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Just a few comments from my end. Many of you probably never saw my original post when I put this sample up for sale.
I've been repping for Simota for about a year and a half now, serving mainly the Mazda community.
So far, Simota has been very willing to work with me on anything I've asked of them. I can tell you from experience that they are committed to getting things right and putting out a quality product.
So on to eviltwinkie's main comments and concerns:
1) I agree, the inside of the tube needs to be cleaned up. This is a pretty easy fix.
2) The filter, well, that's Simota's design. It has a higher flow rate than any of the
other Brand Name filters. The material is a coated polyeurethane mesh, so the
weave has a visibly 'cleaner' look. As for the filtration properties I can only tell
you from experience that I am kind of a neat freak and check my MAF sensors
for signs of contamination or dirt on a regular basis. And after a year and a half
everything is perfect.
3) Simota isn't known for providing great instructions and probably never will be.
Even in the instances where instructions are provided they are pretty bad.
I'd be willing with an RX-8 owner's assistance to include a set of instructions
with every kit myself.
4) Similarities in design are bound to happen when it comes to many applications.
Simota does all of their own design and testing, but I can imagine that they
get ideas from other manufacturers. The RX-8 intake that I am considering
carrying is not new for Simota, only for me, and consequently the North
American market.
Who knows, maybe the K&N is a knockoff of Simota's design.
In any case, I will only sell parts that I feel are quality design and construction.
ANY ideas for improving the design of the product are welcome.
I am a dedicated Mazda enthusiast first, and a vendor second. I don't want anyone getting the idea that I am coming over to this forum to hawk an inferior product just for the money.
I've been repping for Simota for about a year and a half now, serving mainly the Mazda community.
So far, Simota has been very willing to work with me on anything I've asked of them. I can tell you from experience that they are committed to getting things right and putting out a quality product.
So on to eviltwinkie's main comments and concerns:
1) I agree, the inside of the tube needs to be cleaned up. This is a pretty easy fix.
2) The filter, well, that's Simota's design. It has a higher flow rate than any of the
other Brand Name filters. The material is a coated polyeurethane mesh, so the
weave has a visibly 'cleaner' look. As for the filtration properties I can only tell
you from experience that I am kind of a neat freak and check my MAF sensors
for signs of contamination or dirt on a regular basis. And after a year and a half
everything is perfect.
3) Simota isn't known for providing great instructions and probably never will be.
Even in the instances where instructions are provided they are pretty bad.
I'd be willing with an RX-8 owner's assistance to include a set of instructions
with every kit myself.
4) Similarities in design are bound to happen when it comes to many applications.
Simota does all of their own design and testing, but I can imagine that they
get ideas from other manufacturers. The RX-8 intake that I am considering
carrying is not new for Simota, only for me, and consequently the North
American market.
Who knows, maybe the K&N is a knockoff of Simota's design.
In any case, I will only sell parts that I feel are quality design and construction.
ANY ideas for improving the design of the product are welcome.
I am a dedicated Mazda enthusiast first, and a vendor second. I don't want anyone getting the idea that I am coming over to this forum to hawk an inferior product just for the money.
05-09-2007, 01:01 PM
#32
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Good to hear your feedback...
Agreed, its not a big deal, simply a comment on the "finish" of the product. I just nit-pick that way...nice welds, smooth edges, etc, etc...the "finish" of a product is usually (not always) a good indicator of quality...
I am sure that its a good filter, however I know that better filters exist. Flow is important in any filter, but how well it performs filtration is also equally important. I do not question the ability of the filter to flow, I question the filtration capability. Again I am very picky about this aspect...perhaps more than most people.
That would probably be a good idea. You should assume your target audience should know how to replace thier air filter, but will not know how to replace thier entire intake.
See thats what I am investigating now. Its not a similar design...its nearly identical down to the incorrectly sized hose that shipped with the kit. With the exception of the filter, they both appear identical. The MAF tube and "heat shield" are identical on both this kit as well as the one off of ebay. I cannot verify the older Typhoon v1 kit as I have yet to source anyone with one or find any solid photos to compare.
My recommendations would be to ship with tech sheet of some sort, correct the size of the hose sent with the kit, and offer different filters if possible.
Not a bad idea...
your face is a cosmetic issue...I guess hence the bag...haa haa...sorry I couldnt help myself...you set yourself up for that one... 
2) The filter, well, that's Simota's design. It has a higher flow rate than any of the
other Brand Name filters. The material is a coated polyeurethane mesh, so the
weave has a visibly 'cleaner' look. As for the filtration properties I can only tell
you from experience that I am kind of a neat freak and check my MAF sensors
for signs of contamination or dirt on a regular basis. And after a year and a half
everything is perfect.
other Brand Name filters. The material is a coated polyeurethane mesh, so the
weave has a visibly 'cleaner' look. As for the filtration properties I can only tell
you from experience that I am kind of a neat freak and check my MAF sensors
for signs of contamination or dirt on a regular basis. And after a year and a half
everything is perfect.
4) Similarities in design are bound to happen when it comes to many applications.
Simota does all of their own design and testing, but I can imagine that they
get ideas from other manufacturers. The RX-8 intake that I am considering
carrying is not new for Simota, only for me, and consequently the North
American market.
Who knows, maybe the K&N is a knockoff of Simota's design.
Simota does all of their own design and testing, but I can imagine that they
get ideas from other manufacturers. The RX-8 intake that I am considering
carrying is not new for Simota, only for me, and consequently the North
American market.
Who knows, maybe the K&N is a knockoff of Simota's design.
In any case, I will only sell parts that I feel are quality design and construction.
ANY ideas for improving the design of the product are welcome.
I am a dedicated Mazda enthusiast first, and a vendor second. I don't want anyone getting the idea that I am coming over to this forum to hawk an inferior product just for the money.
ANY ideas for improving the design of the product are welcome.
I am a dedicated Mazda enthusiast first, and a vendor second. I don't want anyone getting the idea that I am coming over to this forum to hawk an inferior product just for the money.
05-09-2007, 01:26 PM
#33
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Hi! Sorry about this noob question...I have a K&N Typhoon V.2...how exactly do you seal it off and duct it with cool air? I understand that buying the RB air ram is the first step, but then what?
05-09-2007, 02:02 PM
#35
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kargoboy,
This is just my .02$, but I think if they want to sell this they need to make I nice closed airbox, with a removable top.
If they did this right..... I'm sure they could sell a ton of them cause, we dont really have anything like that made for the car ATM. HKS cost a ton and isnt really sealed, RE i think has the carbon box but its like 1,000$ and not really sealed also. With this you could always put any filter you want on the pipe.
Thats what i'd do. I'm sure someone will be along soon to tell me its pointless!
This is just my .02$, but I think if they want to sell this they need to make I nice closed airbox, with a removable top.
If they did this right..... I'm sure they could sell a ton of them cause, we dont really have anything like that made for the car ATM. HKS cost a ton and isnt really sealed, RE i think has the carbon box but its like 1,000$ and not really sealed also. With this you could always put any filter you want on the pipe.
Thats what i'd do. I'm sure someone will be along soon to tell me its pointless!
05-09-2007, 04:31 PM
#36
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eviltwinkie, did you delete your original comment on the hose size? I can't find it and I need to know what size we actually need.
TeamRX8, can you elaborate a little more?
Trekk: what about the Carbon Fiber intake? I know it doesn't open at the top but the airbox is sealed better.
All of Simota's filters are the Poly mesh, even their goofy designs. You guys could always just put on the filter of your choice, though.
Keep the comments coming.
TeamRX8, can you elaborate a little more?
Trekk: what about the Carbon Fiber intake? I know it doesn't open at the top but the airbox is sealed better.
All of Simota's filters are the Poly mesh, even their goofy designs. You guys could always just put on the filter of your choice, though.
Keep the comments coming.
05-09-2007, 04:47 PM
#37
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http://www.mkiv.com/techarticles/filters_test/2/
More then likely if we were to perform the same type of test you would find that while the simota will flow, its filtration might come out looking like the Blitz SUS.
The CF intake from my understanding was dyno tested and found to reduce power. I'll have to forum hunt but a guy here in Austin had it and pulled it off the next time I saw him and when asked why...that's what his response was.
05-09-2007, 05:24 PM
#38
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The carbon Simo is small for starters. It doesn't allow much room for different filters if any at all. It is sort of sealed, it has a big opening in the front but it could be better.
This is how I would make a air box if I wasn't lazy.
I'd like to see a fully sealed box(stock airbox size) that has a removable top, room to mount common size cone filters. Most importantly an oval shaped air box intake pipe that sticks out far enough to pass through the radiator support so it can get outside air.
Hmmm sounds like the RB intake... Only the 1 I'm describing would allow you to run a lot of different filters and with the removable top it would be easy to change or clean the filters(plus of the K&N kits).
Also the guy that lost power with the CF intake found that extra power when he dyno'd it next with no filter if I remember correct. I also dont know what version he had.
Last edited by Trekk; 05-09-2007 at 05:29 PM.
05-09-2007, 05:38 PM
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I've actually seen that test before. The Apexi is a nice filter, I'll admit. I imagine the AEM Dryflow is similar. I couldn't duplicate the test without bias, so we'll just hope it would fare better than the Blitz! But I agree with your assessment to a point.
But the operative word from TeamRX8 was 'restrictive' so hopefully he will come back and comment further.
But the operative word from TeamRX8 was 'restrictive' so hopefully he will come back and comment further.
05-10-2007, 10:17 AM
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So what if we had Simota redesign the Carbon Fiber shroud to enlarge it enough to
hold a standard-size Simota or Dryflow filter? Kind of like what we are looking at in post #1, but fully enclosed?
hold a standard-size Simota or Dryflow filter? Kind of like what we are looking at in post #1, but fully enclosed?
05-10-2007, 10:43 AM
#43
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What has been often requested but missing from the market is a MAF tube similar to this one which you could purchase and use your own filter. So that part would be completed.
Next on the hit list would be an airbox large enough to use a decent sized filter. For example the size of the current filter in this kit now is comparable to a few others out there. The airbox should be fully enclosed (sealed) and ideally also have a connector which goes thru the radiator support hole. This is sounding like the RB Revi isnt it?
Finally it would be nice if it would work with the RB Duct. As long as it extends thru that support hole you could then duct some cool air to it.
As far as construction...I started to tinker with it last night. Air is a wonderful insulator so I was taking measurements to fab up a double walled box. I am going to be using a pretty thin aluminum similar to what I am already using to keep the wieght down. I'm also playing with the idea of cloning the MAF tube but into a double walled design as well. The current MAF tube is simply conducting alot of heat from the bay. I'm sure it really doesnt matter, but I'm picky and like the challenge.
Sucks that I dont have TeamRX8's metal shop...I'd kill for a machine shop...
So I'm going to be removing the intake and reverting back while I work on this side thing. If you have any other questions or need anything else please feel free to let me know.
05-10-2007, 10:53 AM
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05-10-2007, 10:59 AM
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You could just buy some themo-tec and make it alittle more easy.
Anyways yea, I think a fully sealed carbon box would be great.
My example is this this.
I have a K&N V2 with the RB duct. Moving I read tems on the maf and filter of about .05-1deg higher then the outside temp. I sit at a stop light for a few min and I start reading temps in the 150+deg area till I start moving again. (I wonder how a vented hood would help.) Anyways I suck up all that hot air cause its an open box so instead of sucking air out of the RB pipe or outside of the bumper it just starts sucking up all the hot air that has floated up to the hood or has soaked through the bottom tray that sits over the radiator.
Anyways yea, I think a fully sealed carbon box would be great.
My example is this this.
I have a K&N V2 with the RB duct. Moving I read tems on the maf and filter of about .05-1deg higher then the outside temp. I sit at a stop light for a few min and I start reading temps in the 150+deg area till I start moving again. (I wonder how a vented hood would help.) Anyways I suck up all that hot air cause its an open box so instead of sucking air out of the RB pipe or outside of the bumper it just starts sucking up all the hot air that has floated up to the hood or has soaked through the bottom tray that sits over the radiator.
05-10-2007, 11:07 AM
#46
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I JUST got a brilliant idea...instead of refabbing a double walled MAF tube...I'll wrap it in this stuff called thermo-tec to make it a little easier.
Where do I come up with this stuff!!
Where do I come up with this stuff!!
05-14-2007, 11:57 AM
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I'm working with Simota to possibly redesign the Carbon Fiber enclosure to accomodate a full-size filter.
Only problem with that is the CF is expensive. There was actually a Fiberglass
enclosure version that never made it to the states. It would be more affordable if
we redesigned that one...
Only problem with that is the CF is expensive. There was actually a Fiberglass
enclosure version that never made it to the states. It would be more affordable if
we redesigned that one...
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