y33 intake systems?

[the_sauce]

I just picked up my new q45 and sold my GS300. Really liking the added power, but before the GS had a stage 5 S4 audi. I dont want to Q to be anything like the audi but i am def looking for more power and a real nice sound as the end result. Are there any custom intake systems available for a 97 q45? Or is it going to have to be a custom route?

Also any other performance woes I should know about as I start to dig into this project?

[the_sauce]

So I am assuming that it will have to be a custom job. Actually makes it more fun for me!

I will be posting a thread on the end result at some point when the project is finished.

[paranoidjack]

I just picked up my new q45 and sold my GS300. Really liking the added power, but before the GS had a stage 5 S4 audi. I dont want to Q to be anything like the audi but i am def looking for more power and a real nice sound as the end result. Are there any custom intake systems available for a 97 q45? Or is it going to have to be a custom route?

Also any other performance woes I should know about as I start to dig into this project?

Looking forward to it. Seems the stock intake piping is way too twisty!

[the_sauce]

Looking forward to it. Seems the stock intake piping is way too twisty!

That sir is why it all has to go!

[cccpman]

Well the CAI Stock Box on the G50, and im guessing your year somewhat too, have been engineered with love and care, and a fat check book to get as much power as possible out of the car

Things you should considerThe engines in the Q's get hotter then hell, the entire engine bay heats up, thats why the stock box is in a stock box in the first place, it has to be CAI. Q45 tech posted some numbers of HP lost IIRC due to temperature rise, for example my pop charger netted me a killer sound and around 14HP was lost - not worth it at all

This being known you need some way to separate the engine bay from whatever area your CAI (let it be CAI or your fuc|ed). You could copy another member, he ran his to right below the engine - no ****. Thats a long *** tube, and he has to worry about sand, dirt, mud, rain, even snow getting in or on the CAI filter, if it does his car dies. Filter replacements would have to be frequent, alot of CAI filters go for ~+-80-100 so maybe thats not an option

You could run it EXACTLY where the stock CAI was... build a separator between the rest of the engine bay and the intake. Even open up the slots in the front of the car so more air 'could' pass. I have thought about doing the same, but I rather not test anything that cant be returned to stock

Anyways, the majority of filters used on any modified intake have oils in them to trap dirt. This being known, the MAF's on Q's are known for being a huge problem, your cars are getting in the years where they will start to become a VERY frequent problem now. Oil is known to damage the MAF - I would be worried about a accumulative problem here

I however am all for a safe and new intake, or a safe and new anything for Q's. Take it to a dyno for some runs before and after - maybe then we can see if anybody is able to get something more impressive then the engineers that put so much work into it. I know its not impossible but its damn near close. Getting better sound isnt a problem but what HP loss are you willing to take to get it

[the_sauce]

Thankyou for the reply sir. I am going to be taking apart the intake system and seeing what I am working with hopefully tomorrow.

I have seen the other members cai intake system and was thinking on a design similar. I can get new filters on a fairly easy cheap basis through shops i have worked with been sponsored by in the past. I also do not believe in oiled filters and would more than likely be using an ITG foam filter or similar.

My other idea was to do a more ram intake system with the filter still in the bay but build a nice seclusive heatshield for the filter and a decent amount of ducting directing cold air into the compartment.

I am not looking for major power gains out of this motor, maybe a little better throttle response and a tick of top end. After the intake is going to be a new exhaust system which should garner more power gains than the intake. I am not new to building components as such out of scratch and believe i can build something that will work very well for this application.

As of right now i am just trying to make sure and build something that will not start throwing any codes.

[cccpman]

sounds good to me - go for it

[maxnix]

Well, there is always the JDM Octopus header like on the VH45DE and the JDM headers or even Imipul which would have to flow better than the US log type headers, but who knows if they would fit on LHD vehicle even if they met US emission regulations, which they won't as they have no pre catylists.

[the_sauce]

On the exhaust note, i am just going to be running catback system. This will be only my second car to pass emissions and I would love to keep it that way.

[Rex]

Here's a couple discussions on the topichttp://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=26004http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=78970

[maxnix]

On the exhaust note, i am just going to be running catback system.

I doubt if there will be any gain at all, let alone a discernible one.

[the_sauce]

I doubt if there will be any gain at all, let alone a discernible one.

Why do you say this? Opening up airflow through an engine will increase power on any application if the tuning remains on point with proper fueling is used. I have never seen an engine that requires different fueling system for an intake and exhaust set-up.

I am not trying to build a 10 second car, or hoping for 30 whp gains at all. Maybe looking for a better topend and better throttle response, and a better sound. I havent even put 100 miles on the car since I got it. Just doin some research and seeing what others have found through their efforts.

[cccpman]

A lot of Q owners have gone after market exhaust, intake etc. I think so far the gains have been... lost power but better sound

If you find something that could give better power, or the same power but better sound, you will find this not so friendly crowd extremely warm and welcoming. I encourage you do get waist deep, but only AFTER you have restored your Q to something near what it was able to do when it was new. THEN take it to a dyno, THEN mod. Those results will be somewhat more realistic, and the fellas might even put a smile on

Good luck on your projects, I personally am all for the DIY'ers

[the_sauce]

Not really sure what I need to do to get it back to "what it could do when new", the cars drives very smooth shifts very well and pulls without hesitation in every gear. Just changed oil over to synthetic, and checked all other fluids. MAF is new according to maintinence record that came with the car. Any suggestions of other things to check on before digging in?

[Chrisfrend]

This is somewhat off topic, but how does your Q45 compare with the GS300. I know the Q45 is more powerful, but it is also heavier. Is the Q45 faster, and how would you compare handling, braking, ride, etc.?

[cccpman]

anything to check? Pretty much everything. You would benefit from hooking up a consult cable to the car to be able to read out whats going on, not too expensive and sometimes is a life saver. Let you run a lot of tests, find out if any single cylinder is running weak and that will help you figure out why

The KS are a good thing to check, along with the FI. It takes a voltmeter and 10 minutes, VERY easy (Q45.Org for writeup). Spark plugs would be nice to have new if not replaced recently, but you will have to go OEM or face possible engine destruction and extremely premature plug wear - a bunch of reports on plugs breaking apart in the engine or just not able to be removed.

If you post a maintenance there are plenty of experts that can say what may be a problem, since this is your first Q and probably the only one you have had the luxury to drive you dont know how it compares to the rest - I had a shocking moment when I thought I had caught up but found another Q and ended up 1/2 car length behind in a short time (Oh damn a dead KS, fixed it and now we are equals)

Depending on what sort of miles your fuel pump has, you will be needing a new one sooner or later. Later and you risk needing to work on the FPCU

You could pull the plenum, clean the upper intake manifold and the lowers, they get REAL dirty. At least mine did and I order BG44 by the 24 pack box... I tested something with my trashed plenum and 2 of the lower intakes... poured 3 gallons of acetone in a metal container (a wheelbarrow) and set them in there to soak. 15 minutes later it was pitch black, filled with oils and crap I cant explain... if I took another gallon and cleaned the outside im sure it would have been fine but I just sat it down as it was trash (so the outside is dirty, big deal its in the trash anyways). Some use gasoline - they have their ups and downs. Acetone is safe as far as i know, minus it catches fire with ease (so no fans, no smoking, do it outside in the yard or something, you can let it evaporate if you do it late night ) and the gasoline has the power of several sticks of TNT depending on how much you use

Really check the FI/KS. Thats the majority of performance if the MAF and fluids are good. If one or the other has a problem, then you have an excuse to clean the rest of the stuff up. Plenty more things, but not all of it is engine related. Shocks for example, its a heavy car and they always wear pretty good, upper links on the suspension seems to go out eventually, but your right its mostly about maintenance not being missed.

(Good oil filter, fuel filter, transmission filter/flush? who knows its car by car basis)