which intake would give a bigger gain?

[P8ntBalla]

i am looking to upgrade the intake pipe soon. im sticking with the 16g on this car because the fwd sucks and im gonna wait till i get an awd to go bigger. anyway my question is this:

would it be better to go with a 3" intake pipe and just have a reducer to fit the inlet on the 16g, or should i go with something like the injen that is the same size as the inlet on the 16g? i would imagine the 3" pipe would be better, but i dont know if the bottle neck at the inlet would become a restriction.

 

[candela]

there really isnt much to be gained at the intake...
The stock size intake pipe like the injen is more than enough. Even the stock snorkel with a cone filter on the end is enough for a 16g

 

[P8ntBalla]

tru. im prolly just gonna get the 3" one because its cheaper than the injen.

 

[CraigB]

3 inch will work fine with a reducer. You can take a 3 inch u bend cut it in the middle of the bend and flip it around then weld it. Then you have your intake pipe. Works well on a 1st gen.

 

[BoostinAWD]

2 words

Pressure drop.

Upgrade your intake while leaving your boost at the same level it will go up at least mine did. 1 1/2 psi. Why because the air can enter the turbo's compressor wheel much easier. The turbo can't compress what it cant suck in.

 

[pneumo]

I'm not even sure why anyone would want to upgrade to an intake that's nearly the same size as stock? I did a 3" intake on my 14b and noticed a difference. On a turbo, freeing up the intake is just as important as opening up the exhaust; the turbo works less to move the air in and out. Go big, you can always swap it over to your next DSM.