I installed a new clutch yesterday, which means the tranny had to come off along with the big *** Mugen intake that blocks access to just about everything on the passenger's side of the engine bay . We've all seen what that thing looks like from the top, but I told geometro I would snap a pic of how the Mugen intake is installed underneath the bumper since the illustrations included with the instructions make the install seem like a JDM jigsaw puzzle.

Anyway, I remember reading quite a few posts where people said they didn't know what to do with the metal shield that comes with the intake. It's sort of a water/heat shield that is angled above the intake horn. Pics courtesy of Chris, who also helped me with the clutch install.

 

Great pics! Now I can visually see where it goes. Thanks Bob.

I believe it serves as a splash guard.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B2FiNiTY &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I believe it serves as a splash guard. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Judging from all the water spots on top of the metal piece, it prevents water that condenses on the underside of the passenger fender from dropping into the intake horn.

 

Thanks, Bob! I've been wondering how that thing goes in there. No questions after seeing your pics.

Maybe you could send these to Mugen or King so they could use it in their installation instructions. Their instructions suck.

Next time I'm under there in that area, I'll be sure to install mine. Thanks for taking the time to snap the pics. Much appreciated.

 

Is it possible to aim the intake inlet/horn towards the turn signal area perhaps? Or does the design not allow variations in how they're installed?

 

Yep, you can rotate the horn to face any direction you want. Believe it or not, it's held in place by that duct tape looking piece. Hasn't failed/moved yet, though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kkim &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yep, you can rotate the horn to face any direction you want. Believe it or not, it's held in place by that duct tape looking piece. Hasn't failed/moved yet, though.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It has double sided sticky tape on the inside and foil tape on the outside, plus a clamp on the main portion that holds it to the frame, so it is held in very well. However, I chose to point mine upwards, which is how Mugen indicates that it should be installed. Comptech may like us to believe that pointing the horn forwards creates a ram air effect, but I personally don't think it does. Plus, if you pointed it forward, it would entirely defeat the purpose of installing the metal shield. Do you think Mugen would invest the R&D time/money into including that part with the intake if it didn't serve a purpose?...

 

yes, you're correct. however, the point I was trying to make was that it is essentially held in place with a piece of tape, as opposed to the icebox which actually used a clamp to keep those parts on, if I'm remembering correctly. clamp holding the mugen arm portion does not in fact hold the horn portion, unless I installed mine wrong.

Also, the icebox had a hole on the very bottom of the elbow to drain water if any were to get in there. Mugen has no hole designed into the elbow, so maybe they thought they had to put a spalsh shield over it to avoid water intrusion?

I do think that Mugen products are well designed, however, I do see stuff, sometimes, that makes me wonder where their head was at when they were designing certain parts. I do agree this intake is outstanding... I just don't think everything Mugen is the best just because it's Mugen. my .02

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kkim &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yes, you're correct. however, the point I was trying to make was that it is essentially held in place with a piece of tape, as opposed to the icebox which actually used a clamp to keep those parts on, if I'm remembering correctly. clamp holding the mugen arm portion does not in fact hold the horn portion, unless I installed mine wrong. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You're right, it is essentially held in with a piece of tape... However, my Icebox elbow fell off 2 times in 1 year, and the Mugen has been on my car for nearly 1 year with no problems...go figure. I guess the dual tape action is a better design than the single clamp of the Comptech.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also, the icebox had a hole on the very bottom of the elbow to drain water if any were to get in there. Mugen has no hole designed into the elbow, so maybe they thought they had to put a spalsh shield over it to avoid water intrusion?</TD></TR></TABLE>

My Mugen intake has a hole in the bottom also...are you sure that yours doesn't?! I was just looking at it yesterday, and yes the Mugen has a hole drilled into the bottom of the elbow.......I wonder why yours doesnt?!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I do think that Mugen products are well designed, however, I do see stuff, sometimes, that makes me wonder where their head was at when they were designing certain parts. I do agree this intake is outstanding... I just don't think everything Mugen is the best just because it's Mugen. my .02</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well duh...I agree it isn't automatically the best because it's Mugen, but I've never seen a Mugen product that wasn't at least as well designed as the stock counterpart, and that's more than I can say for most other companies...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bob#455 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Do you think Mugen would invest the R&D time/money into including that part with the intake if it didn't serve a purpose?...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats a good question. Mugen does make an ITR specific pinstripe. Maybe that sticker has a great purpose after all.

 

Try pointing the opening forward and remove the front right lens housing when you're at the track/strip.

There is a noticeable improvement in the liveliness of the motor.

 

Do the L-brackets come with the intake?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CPR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do the L-brackets come with the intake?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, it comes with a ton of little pieces.

Austin