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Well... your factory air intake does suck up air directly from the outside and is made out of plastic so it doesn't absorb heat from the engine bay as well as an aluminum one...
However if your looking for a less restrictive intake... I think there is an intake that positions the air filter close to where the side air duct flows air into the engine bay area. Not sure if that's the Genius cold air intake.
It looks similar to the Genius unit... costs a few dollars more. Both use a filter element from K&N. The "box" around the filter is designed to keep the engine bay heat out, but it is not a pure hookup to the outside air.
I have experienced a significant increase in performance. I think that is mostly due the free-breathing aspect of the tube and filter. This summer in Texas, there's not much cold air to be had.
The free-breathing intake does increase the noise level in the cabin. I think it sounds good though.
There are several cold air intake options available. Genius is one of them and from what we hear they make good quality products.
We offer the only air intake on the market at this time that draws air in directly from the factory air vent and not from the lower portion of the engine compartment. This provides you with cleaner, cooler air and less chance of picking up any moisture.
The intake is designed and built by SmartCar Performance. They designed and built the very first intake in the US for the smart and this is their latest version that has been redesigned to work with the factory air inlet.
It is available in Polished Stainless Steel or Anodized in Yellow, Blue, Red or Black. Here is the direct product link that has additional information, pictures and video:
I am interested in this Version II air intake but wonder about the "Power and Sound" claim. I certainly would love a power increase. Sound increase, maybe not so much. I have listened to the video in the above link, but it's hard to gauge the increase in sound from that. Can anyone give me a relative idea of how much louder this thing sounds in the cabin than the stock intake?
I am interested in this Version II air intake but wonder about the "Power and Sound" claim. I certainly would love a power increase. Sound increase, maybe not so much. I have listened to the video in the above link, but it's hard to gauge the increase in sound from that. Can anyone give me a relative idea of how much louder this thing sounds in the cabin than the stock intake?
Michael
Hello Michael,
We are pretty close to you in Signal Hill (Long Beach). If you are ever in the area, feel free to stop by.
As far as noise... it is not loud at all. In fact, unless you actually tell someone someone that you have a cold air intake on the car they will not know.
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Check out www.SmartMadness.com for the largest selection of smart car Parts and Accessories in stock at the lowest prices.
Agree that most of the time, you don't notice the difference.
At certain RPMs, when you open the throttle, you will get a bit of a WOAHHH sound. It sounds healthy. Sort of like the sound of secondaries opening up on a 4 bbl carb.
HELLO
I installed Genius cold air intake & exhaust on my wife's car
sound great not to loud (but I drive a Cayenne TT with no rear muffler, x-pipe)
smartee seem to run smother with both on
with just the exhaust it did not sound as good.
you should have both to get all you car from your 3 banger!
more air in more air out.
Matt was a big help.
When we designed Intake Ver II, our goal was to capture the air directly from the side air scoop. It is very obvious because when the car is moving, that scoop captures a lot of air. We have tried several tests to prove it. Even on the video, you can see the intake temp drops significantly just going down the street (realtime). AS far as the sound, the video lets you hear how it sounds at higher RPM's but when you drive at lower RPM, there is not a whole lot of change but there is a tone change, if that makes sense.
When I finally installed my Solo Performance Exhaust, then things got even better. Reaction time improved, the sound improved, and also the power.
So, the side scoop was the best design for the intake because anywhere else, the air doesn't move or you get too close to the exhaust which just brings in heat.
Today
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