Is the 2008 sti stock airbox more restrictive than previous years

odin1 · 11-08-2009, 05:38 PM

I ask this because the filter size is much smaller than my old 2004 sti when everyone was saying how well the stock airbox flowed. Been searching for hours but no one addresses this issue specifically. Anyone dynoed stock vs a good cai? Any tuners like to chime in? Any help would be much appreciated. odin

ruskiyab · 11-08-2009, 05:46 PM

That seems to be the general consensus

odin1 · 11-08-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruskiyab

That seems to be the general consensus

Thnks.Can u point to any threads on this topic?

gungaslow · 11-08-2009, 07:08 PM

no.....my tuner says it flows fine for the stock turbo.....no need to up to a cai untill getting close to 400whp.

odin1 · 11-08-2009, 07:14 PM

And this is on a 2008 sti? Here's the thing. I had a cai and switched back to stock airbox. Tuned both times. My airbox tune makes 1.5-2psi less boost in each gear than my cai. Tuner says that this is normal but won't respond as to whether the cai makes more power than stock intake. this is on a stage 2 2008 sti.

DHRDAN · 11-08-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odin1

And this is on a 2008 sti? Here's the thing. I had a cai and switched back to stock airbox. Tuned both times. My airbox tune makes 1.5-2psi less boost in each gear than my cai. Tuner says that this is normal but won't respond as to whether the cai makes more power than stock intake. this is on a stage 2 2008 sti.

All this talk is pointless unless you run an unrestricted exhaust.

Why you choose to pick this battle is beyond me.

So no, the stock intake isn't your limiting factor, if you have an exhaust, then christ, there are a million and 1 other ways to make power. The stock box is fine.

Unabomber · 11-08-2009, 10:02 PM

Filter size is one of 900 factors of an intake so for you to jump to a conclusion is silly.

odin1 · 11-08-2009, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHRDAN

All this talk is pointless unless you run an unrestricted exhaust.

Why you choose to pick this battle is beyond me.

So no, the stock intake isn't your limiting factor, if you have an exhaust, then christ, there are a million and 1 other ways to make power. The stock box is fine.

Give your head a shake my friend. This is no battle---it's a simple quest for information. When did this forum become so unfriendly. For your info, I'm running a catless turboback.

odin1 · 11-08-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unabomber

Filter size is one of 900 factors of an intake so for you to jump to a conclusion is silly.

Unabomber. I have been a member here for many years and I respect your opinions and contributions. But...listen carefully to the facts please and then if you have a helpful opinion to give, I'm all ears. Please re-read the part about being tuned twice and not reproducing the same boost. Only change is intake. This may not be an important question to the 2 of you, especially since the stock airbox debate for the older models has been done to death. The new box however is a complete redesign and little is known about it that I can find. The old stock intakes were tested ad nauseum. Unabomber, I've always thought of you as being someone with a logical mind, who made his proclamations based on research. Show me the research that says It's silly. That's all I'm asking. Truth is install was perfect, no leaks, slower spool, 1.5- 2 psi less boost in each gear, tested 0-60 and 0-100 much slower with stock box. Just looking for answers bro. odin. Any 2008 sti owner's with any experience in this like to chime in?

STi Mikey · 11-08-2009, 11:02 PM

No, the box may have a different geometry but as far as maxing out the stock turbo it is not any more restrictive than other years. Both my 07 and an 08 made the exact same power and curve with just an exhaust and tune. I made 329.4. He made 330.3. Full weight that good for 12.30's on pump and one hell of an auto-x'ing machine.

odin1 · 11-09-2009, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STi Mikey

No, the box may have a different geometry but as far as maxing out the stock turbo it is not any more restrictive than other years. Both my 07 and an 08 made the exact same power and curve with just an exhaust and tune. I made 329.4. He made 330.3. Full weight that good for 12.30's on pump and one hell of an auto-x'ing machine.

Thanks Mikey. I read your posts with great interest :-). Do you know at what boost levels that was achieved at and was it an ebcs or mbc tune. I know that you like the mbc. odin

odin1 · 11-09-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odin1

Thanks Mikey. I read your posts with great interest :-). Do you know at what boost levels that was achieved at and was it an ebcs or mbc tune. I know that you like the mbc. odin

bump--Mikey--any idea what boost levels the 2008 sti ran to reach those whp levels? Mbc or ebcs? Thanks man. odin

Unabomber · 11-09-2009, 09:28 PM

You are asking us to second guess your tuner. NOT kosher. If he says what you are experiencing is normal, BELIEVE him. Unquestioningly. I've been tuned like 5-6 times and never had the same boost or HP or TQ....tuning is not an exact science and the contributing factors to having different boost or other figures can only be calculated by 400 Japanese guys on abacuses. While you are looking for an affirmation of your thought process, you won't get it from me nor anyone else on here whose opinion is just as good as mine. Sorry bro, but you are struggling with an issue that no one can answer, so let it go.

Sperm · 11-09-2009, 11:32 PM

I never believe anyone unquestioningly!

That's a good way to learn absolutely nothing.

DasWRX · 11-10-2009, 01:09 AM

An aftermarket CAI should be able to flow more air (cubic feet/second) than a factory airbox which has a restrictive snorkel designed to protect the engine from water. The only question is, with your current setup, can you take advantage of this extra air via tuning to produce more WHP.
Only someone who is tuning your car can answer that.

baboplayer · Today, 02:36 AM

Certainly speak to a professional tuner for advice on the CAI.

11-08-2009, 05:38 PM	#1
odin1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 29362 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Canada Vehicle: 2008 2008 sti stage 2	Is the 2008 sti stock airbox more restrictive than previous years I ask this because the filter size is much smaller than my old 2004 sti when everyone was saying how well the stock airbox flowed. Been searching for hours but no one addresses this issue specifically. Anyone dynoed stock vs a good cai? Any tuners like to chime in? Any help would be much appreciated. odin

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11-08-2009, 05:46 PM	#2
ruskiyab Scooby Newbie Member#: 55128 Join Date: Feb 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: St. Louis, MO Vehicle: 2007 Impreza OBP	That seems to be the general consensus

11-08-2009, 07:08 PM	#4
gungaslow Scooby Newbie Member#: 144906 Join Date: Mar 2007	no.....my tuner says it flows fine for the stock turbo.....no need to up to a cai untill getting close to 400whp.

11-08-2009, 07:14 PM	#5
odin1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 29362 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Canada Vehicle: 2008 2008 sti stage 2	And this is on a 2008 sti? Here's the thing. I had a cai and switched back to stock airbox. Tuned both times. My airbox tune makes 1.5-2psi less boost in each gear than my cai. Tuner says that this is normal but won't respond as to whether the cai makes more power than stock intake. this is on a stage 2 2008 sti.

11-08-2009, 10:02 PM	#7
Unabomber Amish Rake Fighting Moderator Member#: 18062 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Tom @ Kartboy Vehicle: is soon to be dad to a baby boy!	Filter size is one of 900 factors of an intake so for you to jump to a conclusion is silly.

11-08-2009, 11:02 PM	#10
STi Mikey Scooby Specialist Member#: 114631 Join Date: May 2006 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: JR tuned vf43 1/4 record hldr Vehicle: 2007 Rallispec motor 60lb/min-FMIC-EWG hotness	No, the box may have a different geometry but as far as maxing out the stock turbo it is not any more restrictive than other years. Both my 07 and an 08 made the exact same power and curve with just an exhaust and tune. I made 329.4. He made 330.3. Full weight that good for 12.30's on pump and one hell of an auto-x'ing machine.

11-09-2009, 09:28 PM	#13
Unabomber Amish Rake Fighting Moderator Member#: 18062 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Tom @ Kartboy Vehicle: is soon to be dad to a baby boy!	You are asking us to second guess your tuner. NOT kosher. If he says what you are experiencing is normal, BELIEVE him. Unquestioningly. I've been tuned like 5-6 times and never had the same boost or HP or TQ....tuning is not an exact science and the contributing factors to having different boost or other figures can only be calculated by 400 Japanese guys on abacuses. While you are looking for an affirmation of your thought process, you won't get it from me nor anyone else on here whose opinion is just as good as mine. Sorry bro, but you are struggling with an issue that no one can answer, so let it go.

11-09-2009, 11:32 PM	#14
Sperm Scooby Specialist Member#: 25038 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Central Jersey Vehicle: 2002 WRB Impreza WRX	I never believe anyone unquestioningly! That's a good way to learn absolutely nothing.

11-10-2009, 01:09 AM	#15
DasWRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 187259 Join Date: Aug 2008 Vehicle: 2009 WRX Sedan DGM	An aftermarket CAI should be able to flow more air (cubic feet/second) than a factory airbox which has a restrictive snorkel designed to protect the engine from water. The only question is, with your current setup, can you take advantage of this extra air via tuning to produce more WHP. Only someone who is tuning your car can answer that.

Today, 02:36 AM	#16
baboplayer Scooby Newbie Member#: 230567 Join Date: Nov 2009	Certainly speak to a professional tuner for advice on the CAI.