3sgte Intake...$20 ebay, or $120 Apexi???

[mr2naturbo]

I want to get a intake/adapter for my 2nd gen 3sgte. Now i went on ebay and generic intakes with adapter are running from $1.99 with $8 shipping, to $50 shipped. then you got the K&N and Apexi starting around the $120-140 range. Is it really worth it to spend the money for these name brands? I will be buiding a custom hot air blockoff for the intake so it gets as cool as air as possable. Also try and eliminate the engine bay heat. So what do you guys reccomend? If anyone has something for sale let me know also....

[NESW20]

i'd really recommend getting a quality intake. i have the Apexi on my 2.1L stroker. you really do get what you pay for.

-Mike

[mr2naturbo]

Yeah but wouldnt most of that HP that you gain depend on how cold the air is comming in? I planned on a cheap ebay intake/adapter and then making a blockoff from the engine to eliminate as much engine heat as possable. For a extra $100 i dont think its worth a extra 1/2HP that a name brand intake will create, if any difference at all. there is really not much of a difference between them except some filters have a different design. I beileve the name brand is what your paying for, but want to get a 2nd oppion and see if anyone has any 1st hand expierence with them.

[JekylandHyde]

I've seen cheap intakes completely crush and get sucked in.

With a quality filter, you are getting improved flow and sufficient filtering.
If you buy a cheapy filter, you are most likely going to be giving up one of those.

I only run K&N.

[NESW20]

i never said it will make more power, but the Apexi has been shown to be a very efficient, very free-flowing filter. the intake on MR2s get plenty of cool air, due to the side vent and the naca duct built into the underbody panels.

i would rather have better filtration and a quality design than to save a few (and i do mean FEW compared to what most engine parts cost) bucks.

it's your car, and if you're comfortable running a $20 filter, then go ahead. i hand built my entire engine and i'll be damned if a cheap filter is going to allow dirt and junk in there.

-Mike

[Strat42586]

To agree with everyone above, I'm rollin the APEXi power intake, and I love it. No problems at all. I don't have to worry about a hack-made filter breakin on me.

[CompanyFlow]

Get the cheapo ebay intake and buy your own filter. Pipe is pipe.

[tamalpro]

i bought one of those cheap intake adapters and the filter itself, the intake works great! and i can really hear all the air flowfrom the turbo, and i dont think my filter will get suckd in, its a really strong texture, and it has been gone wet alot of times,...and about the brand...a 4" k&N system, with a huge air filter, the engine its a 2005 5.4 chevy silverado, and the K&N got sucked in.

[mr2naturbo]

I got it for $1.99 and $8 shipping. I will probably sell the filter to a friend for $5 or something and go buy a K&N or look for a Apexi filter alone. I seen a few for $25-30 used and good condition on some forums. I will inspect the filter and if it looks decent may use it for a little and give a review. But Walmart had K&N filters pretty cheap and quite a few designs look like they would fit. Anyone have any recomendation for the filter? Like which to get?

[rocketracing]

I had a $20 ebay cold air on mine and never had a problem with it.

[CompanyFlow]

I have a Stillen one from a 300zxtt that has a little portion of the mesh wire roughed up, but I decided to keep it after I found out that the filter alone is like $200.