Removed my air box resonator today

timk225 · Post by **timk225** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:25 pm

I put my 5 SXT ATX up on the ramps today and got into the fenderwell enough to get that air intake resonator box out of there. MORE HORSEPOWER!!! Well, maybe 1/2 HP at best.

I was surprised to see that air does not actually flow through the resonator at all, it's just an expansion chamber more than anything. But the air intake pipe makes a fairly tight 180 degree turn to go into the resonator / airbox, and the opening for air to get in is maybe 2/3 the size of the pipe that leads into the airbox. So a slight restriction is being removed.

I took it for a quick ride around the block and noticed a little more intake noise when I got on it, but the drag strip timeslips will be the real indicator of any performance gains.

Pablodragon · Post by **Pablodragon** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:38 pm

did you remove the top of the airbox too?... have heard people doing that also to get a little more air flow

timk225 · Post by **timk225** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:08 pm

No, taking the top of the airbox off will let in hot air, thereby negating any positive effects from increased airflow. It's better to get cold air in, and the size of the inlet pipe should not be a problem.

Besides, with the top of the airbox off, the intake resonator is effectively negated, as the engine no longer needs to draw air through the stock intake path at all.

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 5:06 pm

I remember on my first neon when the resonator fell off and just sat in the bumper. Didn't really care if it gained any power, because the increased intake noise was fun enough.

Pablodragon · Post by **Pablodragon** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:06 pm

timk225 wrote:No, taking the top of the airbox off will let in hot air, thereby negating any positive effects from increased airflow. It's better to get cold air in, and the size of the inlet pipe should not be a problem.

Besides, with the top of the airbox off, the intake resonator is effectively negated, as the engine no longer needs to draw air through the stock intake path at all.

I thought u said u removed the intake resonator?... so why worry if the the intake resonator is rendered ineffective?

Here's what I've been running for more than 5 years now... ripped all that crap out and have had no problems... and I get a nice sound under excelleration!

Never understood why people think it's such a big deal that.. "Oh my Gosh!..yer drawing in hot air"... when every other SRT-4 engine bay I've seen has one of these staring u in the face when the hood is open!... or is it ok to "draw hot air" if it is a turbo?

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:02 pm

Pablodragon wrote:Never understood why people think it's such a big deal that.. "Oh my Gosh!..yer drawing in hot air"... when every other SRT-4 engine bay I've seen has one of these staring u in the face when the hood is open!... or is it ok to "draw hot air" if it is a turbo?

Yes and no. Completely different intake path. The 2.0 has no way to cool hot air before it reaches the engine, where as an SRT has an intercooler to bring the intake temps back down. Hot air effects engine performance, so the better you can keep the temp at ambient, the better power you'll make. Neither 2.0 or 2.4 can lower the temp below ambient without the use of some type of injection (NO2, water, etc).

With the cover removed, you may notice better throttle response and increased noise, but at the slight (albiet, very slight) loss of power due to increased temp. You may even notice your filter will get dirtier quicker, since it'll basically be breathing in any air that circulates under the hood.

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:12 pm

You have to keep in mind, under boost the air gets far hotter than what you are pulling in from under the hood.

But when you aren't relying on atmospheric pressure to push the air into the cylinders, and being compressed, it is far denser at as an example 110º (Intercooled) than the same air at the same temperature at atmospheric pressure. The only point in cooler air is so it is a teeny bit denser than the warmer air under the hood.

And then the radiator cooks it in the IM, so 99% of you N/A efforts are a waste anyways.

Yep I'm here to cheer you up.

theColonel · Post by **theColonel** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:59 pm

Pablodragon wrote:Here's what I've been running for more than 5 years now... ripped all that crap out and have had no problems ... and I get a nice sound under acceleration!

Never understood why people think it's such a big deal that.. "Oh my Gosh!..yer drawing in hot air"... when every other SRT-4 engine bay I've seen has one of these staring u in the face when the hood is open!... or is it ok to "draw hot air" if it is a turbo?

That's not a SRT-4 ... it's either an SE or SXT ... and it certainly sucks in hot air ... but it sounds good

Pablodragon · Post by **Pablodragon** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 9:54 pm

even tho I am not the original poster, dont mean to hijack... but thanx for all the info... I knew experts would be here

.. and by the way, I know it's not an SRT... that's why I asked the question

one more point that I didn't get to, was the original poster said he has an ATX... a stock motor with an ATX, is it really gonna make any difference at all, that you even think u feel, whether you have a short ram intake, like I have.. or an actual cold air intake... really?

.. Except that you get a little more enjoyment out a hearing a lil' somthin-somethin when you accelerate ?

packfan88 · Post by **packfan88** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 6:23 pm

remove the drivers side flood light and ram air it

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 6:45 pm

Pablodragon wrote:one more point that I didn't get to, was the original poster said he has an ATX... a stock motor with an ATX, is it really gonna make any difference at all, that you even think u feel, whether you have a short ram intake, like I have.. or an actual cold air intake... really?

.. Except that you get a little more enjoyment out a hearing a lil' somthin-somethin when you accelerate ?

As the OP pointed out, the resonator box is essentially an expansion chamber. It doesn't necessarily negate power in the first place so removing it, atx or not, will be a very very very minimal power increase, if any at all. It certainly doesn't hurt to remove it, but yes, removing it is really only for sound.

Most intakes won't show much (if any) of a power increase on both the 2.0 and 2.4. We've shown time and time again that the stock intake is more than efficient.