3.3TT aFe intake airbox plug observations.

[StingerMG]

I decided to take the airbox plugs off my aFe intakes after work today. For those who don't know, the aFe cold air intakes come with plugs (one on each airbox towards the rear) that seal the boxes up. I've always keep the intakes fully enclosed but I was thinking to myself if the intakes temps would actually be significantly different. This is by no means a scientific test but this is just my own observations.

I do have both of the aFe bladerunner charge pipes and ram air snorkels so my intake airflow may be a little different. While driving my usual joy riding route, I noticed my intake air temps are very similar to my normal "Plugs in" temps. I'm thinking the airboxes are acting like big air funnels and rushing cooler outside air through ram ducts pass the air filters. Plus the airboxs are pretty heat resistant and the charge pipes are even more heat resistant.

I believe the increased airflow is worth a couple extra degrees °F. The induction noise is actually quiter without the plugs in. I think the ducts were acting like horns focusing the sound outside with the plugs in. I'll be running without the plugs going forward.

 

[oddball]

The only time you'll see a temp difference is when sitting still in traffic. Plugs out the boxes can pull air from the engine bay. But that's also the time when IAT matter the least.