Homebrew RAI!!!

[XRSizzler]

Hi, My first post! I usually surf matrixowners.com but wanted to share my recent homebrew ram air intake I put together for my new Matrix XRS in my garage...http://home.attbi.com/~mostang/ram_air_ ... mThanks,Mo

[d_m_kolb]

Great post. Welcome to genvibe!

[Frosty]

quote:Great post. Welcome to genvibe!I'll 2nd that. This will be on my spring to do list, before I turn the garden...

[Flip-Side]

You nailed it bro! I was just pondering a home-made Ram-air, but didn't really know how I should go about it. Nice application I must say. My only worry about doing this is the water problem. If water gets sucked up the intake, that would be bad. AEM makes bypass valves if water is sucked up, but those cost money....

[XRSizzler]

Thanks for the warm welcome! The mandrel bent tubing shouldn't cost more than $25, just cut to fit! AEM sells their bypass valve separately for around $30, I would consider that but it would take some seriously water to flood the engine!Mo

[NSimkins]

Excellent first post! This is the type of post we love to see on the forum... great instructions and pics of your RAI.Welcome aboard.

[Frosty]

quote:AEM sells their bypass valve separately for around $30, I would consider that but it would take some seriously water to flood the engine! MoGood Tip! I had never heard of such a thing....Here is a description for newbies like myself from http://www.tuneshops.com/per-Auto~Perfo ... ~Valve.htm .... AEM’s Air Bypass valve for Cold Air Induction Systems virtually eliminates the unlikely chance of water ingestion should the filter element become wet from deep puddles, rain, hail, sleet or snow–or any other scenario in which the filter element could encounter or become submerged in water. The valve installs along the upper portion of the inlet pipe on the same axis as the throttle body centerline. Should a drop in pressure occur within the pipe due to filter submersion, the valve shuts down induction at the filter and routes incoming air through its external orifices, eliminating any chance of water ingestion. Their sale price is $48. The Bypass valve appears to be intended for a CAI where the filter is down in the bumper. How the heck would the RAI intake ever get clogged with water unless we were trying to get through an underpass full of rain water? Driving through a rainstorm would allow some rain water to be sucked in correct? Wouldn't this have the same effect as a water injector ? Oldtimers used to say that their old cars would run better in the rain, other than chyrslers, which wouldn't run at all.Also, the Vibe has its fog lamp where the Matrix has it's faux inlet in the spoiler. Vibers will have to take another bend to reach the lower grill if the "stealth" look is to be maintained.

[XRSizzler]

There is one caveat that AEM failed to mention: if the bypass valve works as intended to NOT let water thru the waterlooged cone filter, then UNFILTERED air will reach the engine via the AEM bypass valve. I guess that would be the lesser of 2 evils ;-PMost rain and water would end up on the surfaces of the intake tubing but only a solid water column would damage the engine and to do that, engine vacuum would have to stroong enough to overcome piping headloss friction, filter resistance and difference in height between throttle body and body of water.

[Flip-Side]

All I know is my buddy down here wasn't paying attention when the roads flooded, and his CAI sucked up water, and viola! 1 big paper-weight. It's 1 less worry in the weather.

[XRSizzler]

Flood damage can invoke your comprehensive insurance policy to also include engine damage...yes?