I am in the middle of redoing my intake system. I was using a homemade CAI made from PCV tubing and a K & N cone filter. But the chances of hydrolocking is always a concern. So this year, i will be testing a new intake system. I will be utilizing the stock arm of a ITR. But should i use the airbox from a ITR or a civic SI? I noticed that the airbox from the SI is quite a bit bigger compared to the ITR. But the ITR uses a cone style filter.....so which is better?? ITR or SI?? I realize that the RealTime ITRs uses the stock air box from a NSX and i always thought the reason was becaues the box is bigger....is this correct?? Thanks.

BTW - i have a 92 civic with a 94 GSR engine.

 

Shouldn't matter. The pipe diameter still is all the air that can possibly get to the engine. The only difference is how cleanly the air gets through the filter and into the pipe. A clean filter should flow the same, whether it is a panel or a cone type.

 

I'd think intakes are just as much of a black art as most other vehicle tuning aspects.
I've seen simple tube intakes that can make more or less power than a stock intake. Only the dyno will tell.
Not including turbulence where the intake charge hits the throttle body, I can only theorize that at least the length and diameter of the intake pipe creates some resonant frequency that can work for or against a motor gasping for air at a certain RPM. Or something. Then there's those nifty velocity stacks...

 

I could be wrong but I've heard that the RealTime cars use the NSX airbox because of how they route the intake from the headlight opening.

 

Another aspect of airboxes is muffling. They act as a muffler for your intake piping. Ever heard a car @ full throttle without compared to with? There's no mistaking it.

The diameter/length of the snorkel (the tube that admits air into the airbox) as well as the volume of the airbox contribute to this muffling effect by acting as a resonator.

 

 

4doorH22: glad you liked that comment on the WRX, I was wondering how long it would take someone to react. So many people on this forum are creaming themselves over this car, I'm getting a little tired of it.