Important Question about 7A-FE Aftermarket Intake, Much louder sounding motor, should I be concerned? Options

[DomGT]

I was cleaning out my parents garage today and I found an old intake that I bought years ago for my GFs 2000 Civic. Polished pipe, 2 nipples, 1 spot for a sensor, and an open element air filter.

I took a look at my oem intake. The resonator was removed by the previous owner, and a bottle cap was being used to close off the opening. Then I see... a sensor, dangling, I assume it is the air intake temperature sensor. (I find this weird because on my last fillup I got 32mpg) I see no place to plug it in into, so I assume it plugs into the oem resonator bottle.

At this point I decided to install the Civic intake. I had to cut down the piping a few inches, but it installed very easily. (because it looks like we don't have a Mass Airflow Sensor like most cars, which makes installing a full intake a pain in the ass)

I used a small diameter hose and connected each end to a nipple on the polished pipe (routing it to itself to insure no leaks), then plugged the air intake temperature sensor into the sensor port on the polished pipe.

Took the Celica out for a drive, WOW. Under light acceleration I hear a small difference, but under 50%+ throttle the engine SCREAMS. Now my question, is this noise damage being done to my motor? The engine is about 10 times louder than it used to be. Even when I start my car, I can hear air.

I have used open element air filters on my other cars, and none have reacted the way my Celica has.

Any input or advice is GREATLY appreciated!!!

[Batman722]

it is normal. You may need to reset the ECU to accept the higher air flow or your idle might be a little rough at first.

other than that, like I said, the louder sound is normal.

[DomGT]

Thanks Batman. My idle is not erratic, but when the engine is cold, my idle is very high. When I start my car in the morning the idle swings up to 2000rpm, then takes about a minute to gradually come down to 1000rpm. When the idle is around 2000rpm, the sucking noise from the filter is louder than the engine itself (from the drivers seat).

Again thank you Batman, as for the other 40 people that viewed, ***********, haha.

[GTS13]

Yeah I had one for my Camry and it's definately normal. Have you ever run your car without anything connected to filter the throttle body? It's just a little bit louder with nothing on it than with your aftermarket intake. It's perfectly normal.

[Steevo]

After removing the resonator box I have a wierd rattle during WOT accereration between 2K and 3K RPM.


Haven't found the cause yet. But ALOT more power down there in the RPM.

[j0e_p3t]

if you think that's loud, you should try an accord cold air intake. i've actually set off car alarms on heavy acceleration.

[ExSane]

Yeah it's normal. When I installed my short ram intake as my first mod, my car sounded like it got exhaust on it but the noise was coming from the engine bay instead of the rear. But it was only like that when my engine was really hot or a good run from the highway.

i've actually set off car alarms on heavy acceleration.

Damn cheap car alarms. LoL.

This post has been edited by ExSane: Aug 16, 2006 - 8:40 AM

[DomGT]

I don't think our cars (or at least my ST) are any faster. I think the louder sounding motor gives us a heavier foot.

I filled up and noticed 25mpg (not okay for me). I've been going easy on the gas this tank and I have gone 220 miles and still above a 1/2 tank. Shooting for 35mpg (at least this will prove better MPG with the intake).

Another thing that bothers me, our OEM air box is nice, it pulls in COLD air from the drivers side wheel well. Now my open air filter is pulling in HOT air from under the hood, hotter air means LESS horsepower, but hopefully the increased volume of air will make up for the higher intake air temps. Hope no one is dizzy after reading that.