if i custom built a colr air intake keeping in monid things like engine heat, amount of sharp bends, etc, could i get reasonable power from one?

by the way someone needs to ask the dumb questions to get them out of the way :P[thumb]

Even if you do build it nicely... no rough edges, no kinks, you've got a couple of things to think about:

1) The guys that build these things have stupid amounts of time and money to throw at the development. Unless you're an autoparts genius, you'll be hard-pressed to build something that stands out from the crowd, aside form cutting a hole in the hood and plumbing a K+N cone filter in.

2) Even if it DOES flow beautifully, you're still hindered by stock cams, wires, exhaust, throttle body, intake... I doubt overall you'd exceed the flow of a drop-in K+N panel filter.

Plus, we won't even touch on the lack of a bypass valve for water intake, etc etc.

If you want to get original... why not mod the entire bottom of the airbox ala the volant and use a K+N drop-in? I've considered doing that on more than one occasion. Once the top of the airbox is removed, take out the filter, and PULL UP. The bottom should come off, by all reports. From there it's a simple matter to keep enough of the airbox to bolt down onto (from the top half), and then you can go wild fabbing something to run from the bottom to WHEREVER. New snorkle design, twin snorkels, whatever suits your fancy.

I'd do something along that line, and then add-on the 60mm FC throttle body. Between those two, you've gained a few ponies and definitely improved response. Add new 8MM wires for even more kick and response.

My ideal setup includes all of the above, plus UDP and cat-back Magnaflow. :D

thats actually a great idea :P

I built one from 3" drainpipe (plastic) once, just because I'm a cheap ass. I was better than stock, but not by much. If you do decide to make one yourself, make sure you have 3x the diameter of the pipe in a straight section before the MAF. That way the air will have less turbulence and the MAF won't get funny readings.

Jim