3.3TT Should I bother with intakes?

[Slip_Angle]

My only performance mods at the moment are the Velossa Tech Snorkels and the AEM drop in panel filters with the JB4 on the default map 2.

I ran my best 1/4 mile time a couple of days ago. It was 12.12 @116+ mph on 100% 93 Octane pump gas. No meth, no Ethanol, no Octane boosters. Stock exhaust and stock intake air box.

As far as getting water into the engine through the snorkels and stock air box? It won’t happen. Even if you could do it that water would get caught in the filter. Even if it didn’t do that it is going to boil when it hits the turbocharger. Even if it didn’t do that it is going to boil when it gets compressed in the cylinder.

Honestly, getting water in intake system would probably just cool the air and make it produce slightly more power. Plenty of manufacturers have injected water into the intake systems straight from the factory.

Wash your car with an open intake and check to see if any water actually gets in that engine bay. I bet it does. However, even with an open air intake getting water in there won’t be a major concern.

All of these intake systems can work well under the right conditions and they are all fairly reliable and resistant to the elements.

The only air intake system that is poor for performance is the 100% stock intake system and that is because of the stock snorkel. The inlet port in the stock snorkel sits right up under the shroud. That makes the air inlet a thin slit and it just isn’t sufficient for airflow with a modified tune. Take the stock snorkel out of the equation and pretty much any of the air intake solutions will work better.

@Travis Wills - What do you think improves things the most - removing the stock inlets or adding the VT snorkels?

 

[Devin]

Are there any issues with using a high flow snorkel with the stock airbox?

 

[StingertimeNC]

Are there any issues with using a high flow snorkel with the stock airbox?

None at all. Go for it! Maybe pair with a high flow filter if possible, for even better results.

 

[AwesumPurson]

Are there any issues with using a high flow snorkel with the stock airbox?

All intake solutions out there get their only cold air from the same hole in the firewall which is the stock hole. The snorkels collect more of that cold air from in front of the firewall and send it through that hole. So snorkels are great for stock and every other setup that doesn't do the same a different way (like JT lowers).

 

[Bay Area stinger]

Hello, reading your thread about two years later, what were your findings regarding the cold air intake, did you end up adding aftermarket intakes, if so, what was your experience?

 

[Skuvk]

Getting ready to do a bunch of upgrades at the end of the month, and after spending hours reading here, I can’t tell if intakes actually make any difference beyond improving the sound.

I am going to do scoops, exhaust, sway bars, brakes and a couple minor exterior items. I might do a piggyback tune. Likely, in fact.

I can’t find any evidence intakes change anything but the sound. In fact, there seems to be a consensus that aftermarket intakes reduce low-end grunt, which, living in a city, is where I have the most fun.

But maybe that equation changes if I do get the JB4? If I don’t do intakes, I will upgrade to AEM dry filters using the factory boxes.

Regardless, I’d rather put the $400 for intakes into better brakes or a higher quality exhaust if the only thing intakes change is to hear the blow off noises (which are very cool, don’t get me wrong).

I personally love my intakes, def the sound of them when ur taking off at high speeds

 

[G-752913]

my $.025

Here is where I see the warranty potentially becoming an issue with the snorkel change -

The larger ones allow for more air flow, and also the potential for water, snow, dirt, puddles etc as well. The bends in the OE snorkel make it more difficult for outside elements to make their way directly into the system - which are the vehicles lungs. Even with all of the at home DIY scientific calculations of water/dirt whatever NOT making it into the airbox (like direct water from a hose) things are a little different at 70 mph in rain, splashing and puddles - the potential to lock the motor goes up exponentially. Kia has millions more than most of us do to test this and I'd like to believe would have taken that into consideration when building the Stinger to satisfy our need for better air intake (and keep up with the Germans).

If it were not my daily driver I might think differently but just trying to give a little perspective to what a dealer may/may not consider as voiding the warranty. If it were to happen (worst case) it falls back on the vehicle owner to prove the changes didn't break the car, not Kia.

Keep the OE parts.

You have an interesting theory about what gets in the snorkels elements. The air flows through the snorkel, then gets trapped by the filter right?.

 

[Joshwan1]

Consensus that intakes remove "low end grunt?" Based on what data?

Jb4 is definitely the best bang for your buck, and I'd rate an exhaust as the more important upgrade than an intake in terms of potential for increased power, but I've never seen anything that says an intake would be a detriment.

There’s actually lots of documented Dynos showing the absolute lack of power gain and yes some bottom end due to air velocity speed

 

[NS_Stinger]

I can 100% feel the loss in low end torque with my BMS intakes over the stock intakes but I do think they improve the mid and top range power.

 

[Joshwan1]

I can 100% feel the loss in low end torque with my BMS intakes over the stock intakes but I do think they improve the mid and top range power.

That’s most likely correct , fully agreee I just purchased my second stinger GT , I am just removing the factory snorkel , and putting a big mouth in that’s it . The factory system is very good , I am not a fan of the aftermarket stuff with execution of afe , which are actually supposed to improve low end but haven’t tried not worth the money I live in a desert and K&N filters ect suck dirt and dust for a couple of hp at most , sometimes a couple less

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

Are there any issues with using a high flow snorkel with the stock airbox?

No issues at all. A lot of people go this route with the VelossaTech Kit. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE)

 

[BIG-D]

Plus they look Smexy