modified AEM short ram for WAI/HAI?

[c3474]

I currently have an all stock HX. I do like the idea of all stock, but I notice that I get FAR supperior MPG with warmer ambient temps. The best (via scan guage) seems to be when the engine temp is around 190-200*F and the intake temp is around 100-110*F. Morning and evenings are getting colder and my milage on the freeway is going from around 45ish to 30ish on the freeway (again via scanguage with engine temp at 188*F and intake temp at 65-70*F). It's only going to get colder in Oregon.

I'm thinking its time for maybe an 195* thermostat and a WAI or HAI. As I said, I like the idea of stock so I would like to at least be able to return to stock.

I've been debating the idea of using a short ram intake (AEM or some knock off) as the basis of a WAI and sending a Dryer vent flex tube from the filter of the AEM to the exhaust manifold. The idea being that it sould be easy (all accessable) to modify flex tube placement for daily or even hourly conditions. And since I wouldn't be cutting the stock intake box up I could always revert to stock if needed.

I'm looking for some thoughtful insight as to the pros and cons of using a "performance short ram intake" as the basis of a WAI or HAI.

Thank you all in advance!

[AeroModder]

Don't forget that the MPG benefits of warmer ambient temperatures also come from the fact that the surrounding air is less dense and easier to move through. I tried a WAI on my Aspire along with an upper grille block, and I noticed the warmer engine temps was causing oil consumption. Went back to my CAI and opened the top grill, brought the engine temps back down, and the oil consumption went away. The engine also runs better on the CAI.

[BackroadBomber]

Worked for me. I got a k&n series 77 cai secondhand for my Tacoma and left the heat shield off. I didnt route the intake to the manifold, though, i just left my cone air filter hangin over the inner fender. It raised my average about 1-2 mpg. What's great about your car is that it's commonly "riced out" so you could probably find a knock off super cheap on eBay. After all, an aluminium tube is and aluminium tube, right?

[RiderofBikes]

I was gonna suggest "Chromeintakes" from ebay, if your lookin, have bought 3 kits great product for what you pay, shipping has never taken more then 5 business days, there kits are pretty universal.

[c3474]

Well, I ended up getting an AEM short ram off of craigslist for $40 from a guy that was 3 block off my commute route (thank you BackroadBomber and RiderofBikes for the ebay suggestion, though!). Installed it in 10 minutes.

During the morning commute it seemed to take a bit longer for the intake temp to warm up, but it did get higher. It was about +15*F compared to yesterday with fairly similar ambient temps and I haven't ran the dryer tube to the exhaust manifold yet. The afternoon commute also saw a 15-20*F increase in temp.

As far a mpg increase goes I think that AeroModder has a point. I didn't see any immediate results in increased MPG this morning with the warmer intake temps. I'll have to run a few tanks though to see if I see an increase in over all MPG. (the problem with running experiments with so many darn variables—you have to compensate with mass amounts of data).

On the bright side I now have plenty of working room to add a complete WAI this winter without having to cut up any of the stock parts :-)

And thank you for the tip about Oil loss AeroModder. I will keep an eye on it!

Cheers!

[California98Civic]

This is a good workable idea, I can say from experience, but I might be able to save you the cost of the CAI. I get IATs 30-45 degrees above ambient in my 98 DX using dryer hose directly from the stock airbox to the manifold. No money spent on an aftermarket intake, but my DX has a different intake design than your HX. Still, I did not cut-up the airbox, and I don't think you need a CAI to modify in order to have a fully reversible mod.

Also, the cooler temps are affecting your warm-up times and your tire pressure as well as density of the airflow.

Good luck... report on how you execute the mod?

[tastypotato]

I too have a '97 Civic HX with 220k on the clock.

I am going to go out and buy a no-name short ram intake and see if it'll pay for itself in MPG savings.

As of right now I've logged 7407 miles in 3 months (I crashed my last HX :x ) averaging 38.071 MPG (Minimum 33.020 Max 40.202). So I've got a pretty good pool of data to go off of.

I was wondering, before I go out and buy this short ram, have you noticed any kind of MPG increase yet? It's been about two weeks since you've posted, you must have gone through a few tanks by now.

[suspectnumber961]

I got a 5% mpg gain. Did your filter have a ballistic bellmouth molded in?


Ballistic Bellmouth

Originally Posted by BackroadBomber

Worked for me. I got a k&n series 77 cai secondhand for my Tacoma and left the heat shield off. I didnt route the intake to the manifold, though, i just left my cone air filter hangin over the inner fender. It raised my average about 1-2 mpg. What's great about your car is that it's commonly "riced out" so you could probably find a knock off super cheap on eBay. After all, an aluminium tube is and aluminium tube, right?

[Jakins]

has anyone tried doing the resister trick on the IAT for the HX?

[suspectnumber961]

Tuning For Mileage