Another Intake option-Can you say "HYDROLOCK"?

[SmartMadness]

Hey guys and gals....

As promised got in contact with Smart Car Performance and asked them to elaborate on the Dyno info they posted. We also requested that the explanation be put in simple terms for the benefit of us (smartmadness) and everyone else that may be interested in this product.

They have responded back to us with the information we requested. We have provided that response below:



"When we completed the design for the Cold Air Intake we decided on using the DynoJet system. It is one of the leading machines to use when measuring horsepower and torque. We looked around for a good reliable source. We found:Horsepower Mustang Club They were well established and have had plenty of experience with the Dyno

When we arrived to do our testing, the owner of the shop did all of our testing and printed out all our tech sheets. The tech sheet shows that at maximum we had a horsepower gain at the wheel of 3.4 HP at the wheel. That meant that at the engine we were getting close to 3.9 HP gain at maximum RPM. With a closer look at the charts, it showed that there is a improved HP gain at 5000 rpm's of 8HP. We relied quite a bit on the owner's experience with his machine. A number of customers reported back to us a similar increase when they did their own tests. A recent customer of ours that is very involved in another forum in Canada experienced the same results when he did his own testing. . He reported to us and the forum users that he used a GT accelerometer and was able to get a difference of 8 HP like we showed. In addition, he measured that his 0-60 improved by 1.4 seconds and his 1/4 improved by around 0.6 seconds.

We have no intention of misleading our customers and provide data that is false. The data we provided was what we experienced with this product when our own Smart Car was on the Dyno. There were no other modifications done to our Smart Car. Our other customers have experienced gains that were similar. Every car will have variances in performance, but one thing is certain…the intake showed performance gains for those that have installed it.

We hope this addresses the issues brought up. Our goal is to design and build quality products for our Smart customers and we will do our best to continue to design and build products that will enhance your Smart Car experience.

Thank you for your time and comments.

Respectfully,
Smart Car Performance"



...Our goal at Smart Madness is to provide you with good products at a fair price backed up with excellent customer service. If there is anything else you would like to know about this or any other product we carry please do not hesitate to contact us directly at smartmadness@gmail.com

Thanks again everyone!

[WilyB]

Thanks for taking the time to elaborate on your dyno. I understand some people's concerns about the design of the intake, but we can all agree that it looks well made.

I have two concerns about the dyno.

1) You compare a run started at 4750 rpm with the CAI vs. a run started at 5000 with the stock intake and then claim 8 hp gain by comparing the CAI graph @ 5000 with the ramping up stock graph. In my opinion, it's wrong.

2) Not only both runs should be started at the same rpm, but they should be run over a more significant portion of the typical engine speed during normal daily driving, say 2500 to 5500 rpm, instead of only testing the very upper part of the spectrum.

Your dyno guy should re-run a more meaningful comparison.

[SmartMadness]

Willy,

We will forward your recommendations to the builder of the item (smart car performance). They may decide to redo the test, but I cannot promise you that. It will be their decision. One thing we can tell you it is a very nicely done piece and they are staying busy with orders on this product. They are also manufacturing the bike/snowboard/surfboard/ski rack for us and that has kept them very busy. We have a lot of orders to fill and that will keep them busy. Once the load lightens up I am sure they will consider that. They seem to always have a pleasant attitude and a willingness to listen.

Please keep in mind that we do not manufacture this product and we were not the ones doing the Dyno testing. It was done by the manufacturer and also backed up by customers that have bought their Cold Air Intake and did their own tests. We have it on our car and have been very satisfied with it.

Thank you...

[SunDiego]

I just finished installing my intake system. The install took me a long time because I didn't have a small socket wrench. You have to take out about 3-4 Torx T30 screws and you can pull the air filter out. Once I finished installing it I went on a test drive. The new performance was very noticeable. Acceleration felt smoother and it was easier going up hills. Definitely an excellent upgrade, thanks SmartMadness

[SunDiego]

Here are some pictures I took of the air filter installed,

[SmartMadness]

Here is the latest update from a new user that is on another forum:



Reply by kevin Babineau 51 minutes ago
you guys should quit arguing about this , i already told every one it works great two weeks ago , like i said last night , with intake , ecu upgrade and the pipe im gone to need rear discs , just go buy one or use the fishing box that came with the car its up to you




Thank you,
Smart Madness

[Wdhitch]

Smart Madness.... and others who know the technical side of how this stuff works...

Would it be possible to just alter the intake to use the existing cold air intake? What I mean is instead of routing the steel tube down the back of the engine compartment couldn't you just create it so it would hook into the existing intake and fab some sort of barrell to use the circular KN filter? Then you could couple it with a scoop and avoid the hot air and possible hydro issues.... Just a thought... From the pics of the install it looks like removing the tacklebox opens up alot of room in the engine compartment.

[SunDiego]

Originally Posted by Wdhitch

Smart Madness.... and others who know the technical side of how this stuff works...

Would it be possible to just alter the intake to use the existing cold air intake? What I mean is instead of routing the steel tube down the back of the engine compartment couldn't you just create it so it would hook into the existing intake and fab some sort of barrell to use the circular KN filter? Then you could couple it with a scoop and avoid the hot air and possible hydro issues.... Just a thought... From the pics of the install it looks like removing the tacklebox opens up alot of room in the engine compartment.

I believe this is what Works was developing. Haven't heard from/about Works in a long time though

[Wdhitch]

Well I finally jumped and bought the intake..... WOW!!!!! I'm not mechanically inclined and it took me about an hour to do the install... Spent most of the time pulling out the stock piece though...

It sounds better, feels better and looks GREAT. The shifting feels crisper and free-er... what I mean is it feels like the engine isn't having to work as hard... most of it's probably in my head but I'm very pleased!!!!

The wife has the camera but i'll try to post pics later

To address the original concern of hydrolock, I can't see it happening... the filter is above the power train and IMO I don't think that enough water could get up there... but I'm no expert so I guess we'll see... Of course you can't go through standing water but you shouldn't do that anyways.

Smartie Parts.... Thanks for the fast shipping!!! Less than a week from Canada to Florida!!!

[SunDiego]

SmartMadness just got the water shields for the air intake incase you are still worried about this. I believe they are free if you have purchased the air intake - just pay shipping.