Performance Intake testing is done** real data is here

[BreathlessPerformance]

I am about to shock the board with our results of the air intake systems.

First I need to say this. Our company always does testing of new products by dyno, on road and on the track with data logging and timing before we can release a product to the consumer. Seat of the pants or guessing is not what we do here. There always has to be data behind to prove the results. We decided to put the whole intake thing to a test. By the way our company has designed the Vortex Ram Induction Systems for C4, C5, C6 and Z06 Corvettes that produce over 30 hp. We have our own race team and support several others in the Corvette industry. We decided to develop a couple of air intake systems for the Smart car to see what it would give. Here are our results. By the way we designed them like the 2 currently out on the market.

Here are the results:

Performance Intakes
0-60 15.5
0-80 28.0
Intake temp 132
load 95%

Factory system
0-60 14.0
0-80 24.0
Intake temp 104
Load 97%

We ran about 3 passes of each system and this was the average. Outside temp 89 degrees

Bottom line is the factory system is sealed from the engine compartment and pics up cooler air from the outside scoop.( like our Vortex Systems for the corvettes )

Where ever you place the filter on the performance systems the temps rise. If you first start the car it is ok but drive it for 20 min and see what happens. When IAT go up the timing curve goes down and so does the power. You would have to place the filter and 10 inches from the ground to get away from the heat build up. Then you have another issue WATER!! The factory system is well designed so we will be taking another approach. We will try to ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++. Opps we can not give out that info yet...lol

We hope to work on this in the next several days and will post all the date before releasing any products. VERY SIMPLE WATCH THOSE AIR INTAKE TEMPS..

Ernie

[SmartCard]

while your test results were a bust, it is good to know that the stock system was designed well. Where is the air intake anyway? (I haven't looked one bit yet for it)

[BreathlessPerformance]

It comes in from the side intake on the fender and is plumbed directly into the stock box. No air from the engine compartment goes into the box. That is the way it should be.

Ernie

[SmartCard]

yeah, so that's the vent thats at the same place as the gas cap, but on the opposite side? (I was wondering about that)

[BreathlessPerformance]

That is it..lol

Just to set things straight we designed 2 performance intakes, like the ones currently on the market one off the to side and one mounted lower and neither worked. Plain and simple to much heat and not directed cooler air.

Data testing is key.

Ernie

[Razorback]

Just run an aux hose from an AC vent to the intake for some cooler air

[BreathlessPerformance]

That would be great if we could get enough CFM....lol

On the vettes we lose as much as 3 to 5 degrees in timing if the IAT temps change 20 to 30 degrees. Colder days make for more power.

Ernie

Ernie

[Dunerunner]

You folks at Breathless Performance do great work. Your approach to product development is very clinical. I can't wait to see what you create for our smarts.

[smartune]

Thanks for confirming, with hard data, what is already known by most tuners
The OEMs are getting very good at making airboxes these days, and with the cramped engine bay it looks like smart hit it squarely on the head with this one.

The only way I could figure a power gain on the intake side was less restriction.

-Dan

[micromachine]

On the older 450 model there is the pipercross viper induction kit. After being on the market for a few years there seem to be 3 options for the induction hose to the filter.

1. route the hose to the current side intake
2. route the hose out of the engine bay towards the underside of the car
3. route the hose to the intercooler scoop (not an option on the N.A. 451 since there isn't one.

I currently have the viper kit and chose to run the hose out of the engine bay towards the underside of the car. Obviously it has to be a certain height from the ground (I believe they recommend 20") so you don't suck up water. I have had this unit for about 4 months now and have not had any water problems. I wonder if either option 1 or 2 would work for you guys with the 451? Can it be routed to the current side intake mount? I have the install pdf for the viper for a 450 if it would be of any use. Let me know an email address and I will send it.