I got HOSED by Smart Madness

[SmartChip]

BUT, it's a Good Thing. I just got the new silicon air intake hose by Smart Madness. I have A 2009 model 451 Smart Passion. I went straight out to the garage and jumped on the install. I was following the cold air intake instructions by Cube fx. All went smoothly,even the upside down torx bolt. I got everything taken loose,clamps ,hoses bolts,etc. The Big,Black Airbox was totally loose,just sitting there. I pushed it forward, Ipulled it back, I twisted it, it refused to come out.I messed with it for 2 hours and could not get it to budge. Long story short,I resorted to the only method I could figure out to remove the darn thing. You can GUESS what that was. Anyhoo, I got it out. The new hose was a snap to install. It looks GREAT!!!. Today I took the Smart for a long TEST drive. Your gonna' say I'm nuts,but these are my feelings and observations. Upon cranking her up and driving I listened as I drove. The "HOSE" was NO louder than the Black Box was. Comparing ACCELLERATION, doing my usual 2500 rpm start the car seemed smoother running and slightly faster as she went through the gears. The exhaust note,( I have an aftermarket exhaust system on the car,),was more even and smoother sounding.When I got to my testing area I did a "hotter" start. BIG SURPRISE, the car responded very quickly, MORE POWER than I was used to. Next, My scangauge showed me that the AIR INTAKE temps were slightly COOLER and the mileage readings were also a little higher. The car is a lot more FUN to drive now. I'm having trouble keeping my foot out of the carbureator. These are my humble findings. Anny of you who also bought one of these GIZMOS please post your experiences here.Lrts see if you feel as I do. BORIS/ Smart Madness, IMHO you have a real WINNER here!! ALL pluses and NO minuses with this product.I am calling this thing the TURBO TUBE. I think it will catch on in a BIG way!! THANKS AGAIN for another GREAT product. Now, if I only knew an easier way to get that darned air box out...Cheerz, SmartChip

[SunDiego]

Saw the title of the thread and you should think what kind of speech I was getting ready to type .....



Glad you like the hose so much! Enjoy it in good health.

[Dunerunner]

Almost deleted it before I read it!!!

Glad you were happy with the upgrade!!

[SmartChip]

S.D.& D.R. Thanks, the title was meant only to attract attention, NOT to infer what you thought. I was very suprised at all of the performance this obviously simple product gives to the car. The gains are not huge but they are there. The lack of that big ol' airbox also gives more free area in the engine compartment and lets out more air flow for cooling. I found nothing but pluses with the "TURBOTUBE". Hasta la vista, Baby, SmartChip

[NeWave]

Looks like you resorted to the same thing I did in removing the old box. Easy ain't it? Not like I was going back to that anyway.

I have stock exhaust, but the intake sound is much nicer on my spirited accelerations. Seems to be a small mpg gain from it as well.

I'll confess! I didn't get the silicone intake hose..don't hurt me! I got someone elses 50 cent mod last week. Same benefits, not as pretty, but it is cheaper! So this was kind of a spotlight theif moment...

[John_H]

I'd add "(but in a good way)" to the title. I read the post because I'm interested. Others might not read it and get the wrong implication.

[Mud Pie]

Kinda like a newspaper article with a headline, "DOG BITES MAN, MAN BITES BACK". It makes you read the article, only to find out the the man sued the owner, he didn't literally bite the dog....

While I, too, have had nothing but excellent experiences with SmartMadness, it concerned me when a moderator posted that he "almost deleted" the post until he read it. I hope that was a joke. Negative posts are just as valid as positive posts, supporting vendor or not !!

[NukleoN]

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

Almost deleted it before I read it!!!

Glad you were happy with the upgrade!!

You admins gotta lay off the caffeine!

Sure, some people might get the wrong idea, but this is clearly a happy customer. Glad you're happy with your hose job!

Is the cold-air-intake better performance than the hose replacement upgrade? Still, I am guessing the hose is cheaper, effective and awesome. I am so glad to see solid aftermarket support for our little cars.

[jefferios]

I was excited to read the issue that might have occured. Eye catching title!!! I am glad to hear everything went well

[stressed member]

Makes me wonder how many negative posts have been deleted in the past. George Orwell would be proud,(But in a good way).