Thanks for the replies on "package deal" and the replacement questions. Having heard the mp3's for the exhaust system, I was definitely interested, now with a more open breather, you've really got a winner, IMO. Looks like I'll need to get another few dollars together!
Not being terrifically mechanically inclined, I am assuming I can get my dealer/local mechanic to install these for not too much $$. Can you give me your best guesstimate of total install time for the exhaust and intake units? Thanks again for your support of this forum and of the Kappa platform! Now, I just need a car!
--Chemist
__________________ "Muirne" --- Envious, ebony leather, LSD/ABS/AC/Monsoon w/6CD changer, mats, splash guards, DDM Stage II S/C, DDM stainless headers/cat/exhaust, DDM 4-piston brakes/slotted rotors, Probeam, Backbone, black "stubby" antenna, Lil' Chromies, K-sphere pedals, Kazera KZ-L wheels, the TWEETY door unlock/lock button, Garmin nuvi 750 GPS, High Note horn, Brushed Al door sills, etched/lighted WindRestrictor, white LED map/footwell lights, 3rd brake light pulser. --- She moves!
NASSOA Founding Member
Since I've spent some time under the hood of my Solstice I've seen first hand the insanity that is the stock GM intake for our cars. The pics posted here kinda show what's being replaced but I wanted to show people some more indepth pictures so they know exactly what's going on since some people seemed to be a little bit confused.
Things of note that are fixed by a system like KappaSphere's.
The two massive resonators are removed from the system. In general the resonators are used to cancel out certain unwanted sound frequencies. Usually at the expense of air flow and creating turbulance.
Rough edges on the inside of the intake are removed to decrease turbulance created by the intake.
The filter is moved farther forward away from the engine creating less heatsoak into the filter element housing.
Flat filter is replaced with a cone filter which supposedly permits for better more even airflow.
Hey Stig, I like the intake, but this will be a daily driver for me. Is there any chance you might consider making a replacement air intake tube? Something that basically replaces the rubber tube that goes between teh stock air box and the factory intake?
My goal is to improve HP slightly, while still retaining the factory air box.
I did something similar on my 2002 Crown Victoria.
I basically bought a Mercury Marauder Airbox / 80mm MAF which had a slightly larger air volume, larger inlet resonant tube, and a larger airbox outlet. I then got the rubber air intake tube for a 2004 Police Interceptor (which fit the Marauder intake). Basically, the car now sounds totally stock when I'm being a conservative driver, but when I nail the gas, it's loud and mean as hell.
I'm a bit of a stock nut really... I'm really particular about how things look and I really like stuff to look 100% stock (except not be! heheh). Is there any chance that you would make an air inlet tube slightly bigger than the stock one, and without the outlet for that air resonant box?
Thanks!!!
__________________
Todd,
People for the Ethical Treatment of Automobiles
@ http://www.PETACar.ORG
------------------------------------------- 2006 Pontiac Solstice (#1267)
- GM Cold Air Intake
- Clear Image Hi-Flow Cat
- Clear Image Shorty Header
Sure... unless the car or intake is submerged in water you have nothing to worry about. The intake is positioned in the same location as the stock box... it is drawing some air from the front of the car but mostly from the bottom. I drove my other car which basically has the intake exposed to the elements in a storm and nothing happened. Rule of thumb... the intake has to be fully submerged to put in enough water for catastrophic failure.
This isn't something that's never been done guys. Infact the guys over at Mallet are using the same layout. See photo below.
Hope this helps.
and to top it off, you can run an AEM bypass valve to prevent hydrolock as well. people need to research before they open their mouths if they want to down talk something.
The two massive resonators are removed from the system. In general the resonators are used to cancel out certain unwanted sound frequencies. Usually at the expense of air flow and creating turbulance.
Sometimes. But, sometimes resonators are used to create constructive intereference and can improve torque at certain rev ranges. So removing them may induce a torque dip at some RPM. This is the case in the NA miata, where the resonator has nothing to do with sound, but increases performance.
Sometimes, though, the torque dip is caused by the intake tract itself, so removing the intake tract entirely gets rid of the torque dip too.
Anyway, it sounds like the solstice intake is pretty bad anyway (engine in vacuum at WOT according to one poster), so an open CAI sounds like a nice idea.
