PLEASE believe me when I say I am not trying to ruffle feathers, or sell anyone short on their effort, expertise, or accomplishments.
I am new to this forum, and to my SRT6 (which I love) but by no means new to custom, and fast cars (owning, building, and racing). Like many of you, my first obvious mod is going to be some form of CAI. I have researched this forum extensivley, as well as most manufacturers, to find out what is out there. I have communicated with Needswings several times, as well as other members of this forum. In many respects, Needswings seems the best possibility. He has done away with the 90 degree bend (turbulence) and the small inlets to the TB (apprx 2" each - close to the same size and shape as the air openings on each side of the radiator), and retains the vacuum *** as original design calls for. (whatever I buy or design will have to draw air from in front of radiator. I live in Texas - too hot for engine compartment air + the colder the air = more oxygen = better, hotter combustion). Here is my question. The single snorkel design draws air from only one of the openings next to the radiator (I measure the oval opening at 1.5" x 2-3/8") so when you insert the rubber sleeve, you get an opening of 2" or less (exactly half of the stock systems source of air). Everyone quotes what the filter is capable of drafting, but I get no info on what any particular system is able to flow. I asked Needswings about this, and am assured that the sleeve forms an oval, and will not fold or crimp. Folding or crimping was never my concern, nor my question. A free flowing K&N filter clamped to a 3" tube, then restricted by a 2" or smaller opening cannot fill all that pretty 3" polished tubing feeding to the TB.
__________________ _______________________
__________________
3" = __________________ ????????????????
__________________ _______________________
Some obvious options are;
Enlarge the opening (a major hassle, and not able to return to stock later).
Go with dual snorkels to get apprx 4" of source opening. The downside of that plan is two rather large filters sitting in front of your radiator, not only blocking air flow intended and needed by the water cooling requirements, but at higher speeds or under hard acceleration, sucking in large amounts of that air. A possible design solution; ONE FILTER, long, round and open on both ends, feeding two air tubes. Air source doubled (to what the stock setup started with) and still only one filter in front of radiator. NEEDSWINGS would be one of the obvious members to address this idea. A possible next generation design? Please remember this is all IMHO and tendered with much respect to all here. Please feel free to educate me if I am off base with this. I await feedback before I start sourcing parts.