Big mouth ram air intake & water/car washes

[David Bee]

So I bought a velossa big mouth ram air intake, and I’m going to install it once the weather warms up a bit. I’ve been fretting about the possibility of hydro locking with water from rain/snow storms getting into my stock filter box (which I’m keeping). Then today I went to a touchless car wash and watched as the multiple high pressure hoses blasted water into my front grill. I’ve been thinking of attaching a pie plate or something to the grill in front of it for rain storms and car washes, or am I just being paranoid?

So do any of you run with the snorkel(s) out front into your stock filter box, and do you worry about water getting in there? This car is my daily driver so it’s not like I can just leave it at home when rain hits.

 

[Travis Wills]

So I bought a velossa big mouth ram air intake, and I’m going to install it once the weather warms up a bit. I’ve been fretting about the possibility of hydro locking with water from rain/snow storms getting into my stock filter box (which I’m keeping). Then today I went to a touchless car wash and watched as the multiple high pressure hoses blasted water into my front grill. I’ve been thinking of attaching a pie plate or something to the grill in front of it for rain storms and car washes, or am I just being paranoid?

So do any of you run with the snorkel(s) out front into your stock filter box, and do you worry about water getting in there? This car is my daily driver so it’s not like I can just leave it at home when rain hits.

I worried about it when I first put the snorkels on. I kept the stock air boxes and use AEM drop in panel filters.

I finally just took a hose and sprayed the front of the car indirectly. I tried different angles without ever pointing the hose up the snorkels. No water ever got in the air box so I just haven’t worried about it since.

I wouldn’t take my car to a car wash like that though. If you live in a place where that is your only option then maybe some rain guards would be necessary?

People spray water meth directly into the intake after the intercooler so I am not sure how indirect water in the snorkels is going to be worse?

 

[David Bee]

I worried about it when I first put the snorkels on. I kept the stock air boxes and use AEM drop in panel filters.

I finally just took a hose and sprayed the front of the car indirectly. I tried different angles without ever pointing the hose up the snorkels. No water ever got in the air box so I just haven’t worried about it since.

I wouldn’t take my car to a car wash like that though. If you live in a place where that is your only option then maybe some rain guards would be necessary?

People spray water meth directly into the intake after the intercooler so I am not sure how indirect water in the snorkels is going to be worse?

Thanks so much for your reply. Nice to know there are others who are using this method to get fresh air into our turbos. So many use the CAI’s, but I’ve always been skeptical of pulling in that heat under the hood that these engines produce.

You mentioned rain guards. What are those? I wouldn’t mind attaching something just during heavy rain storm if that’s possible. I think you’re right about avoiding the car wash. It was actually my first time using one because I always wash and wax by hand, but this is it’s first winter and it’s below freezing and that makes a wash in the driveway a little complicated.

Anyways, thanks again, you’ve given me some piece of mind about going forward with this. One last thing, have you noticed any extra boost at highway speeds using this method of air induction? I’m curious if the “ram air” effect has any performance improvements.

 

[Travis Wills]

Thanks so much for your reply. Nice to know there are others who are using this method to get fresh air into our turbos. So many use the CAI’s, but I’ve always been skeptical of pulling in that heat under the hood that these engines produce.

You mentioned rain guards. What are those? I wouldn’t mind attaching something just during heavy rain storm if that’s possible. I think you’re right about avoiding the car wash. It was actually my first time using one because I always wash and wax by hand, but this is it’s first winter and it’s below freezing and that makes a wash in the driveway a little complicated.

Anyways, thanks again, you’ve given me some piece of mind about going forward with this. One last thing, have you noticed any extra boost at highway speeds using this method of air induction? I’m curious if the “ram air” effect has any performance improvements.

By rain guards I was just literally thinking of a crude method of blocking the incoming water. You could literally tape some cardboard or plastic to the grill just while the water is really coming in. There is still a gap there so the snorkels could get air but not as much as normal. In a pinch where you were certain water was going to be sprayed directly into the snorkel this might be beneficial. Otherwise I wouldn’t worry about it.

As far as performance goes I have seen massive gains with the particular snorkels I am currently using.

Here are my drag strip 1/4 mile times and there progression. First is 100% stock best time. Then snorkels + K&N filters twice. Finally, snorkels plus AEM filter. I am in the right lane for each. This must be at least a 25 hp gain over 100% stock.

I don’t really feel a massive difference in it pulling at highway speeds. However, the difference is easily apparent with the drag slips. A RWD GT2 could not possibly do a sub 12.62 1/4 mile at 111 mph on an auto hold launch without producing much more power than stock.

Interestingly, I did see a significant bump in torque off the line just with the snorkels. I wasn’t expecting that so I tried launch control the first time. I spun so bad I very nearly crashed. It was that big off a difference. I did at least 4 runs where I suddenly started spinning through the gears. Then I got smart and moved to the auto hold launch and that was more manageable. I still spin but not uncontrollably.

 

[David Bee]

By rain guards I was just literally thinking of a crude method of blocking the incoming water. You could literally tape some cardboard or plastic to the grill just while the water is really coming in. There is still a gap there so the snorkels could get air but not as much as normal. In a pinch where you were certain water was going to be sprayed directly into the snorkel this might be beneficial. Otherwise I wouldn’t worry about it.

As far as performance goes I have seen massive gains with the particular snorkels I am currently using.

Here are my drag strip 1/4 mile times and there progression. First is 100% stock best time. Then snorkels + K&N filters twice. Finally, snorkels plus AEM filter. I am in the right lane for each. This must be at least a 25 hp gain over 100% stock.

I don’t really feel a massive difference in it pulling at highway speeds. However, the difference is easily apparent with the drag slips. A RWD GT2 could not possibly do a sub 12.62 1/4 mile at 111 mph on an auto hold launch without producing much more power than stock.

Interestingly, I did see a significant bump in torque off the line just with the snorkels. I wasn’t expecting that so I tried launch control the first time. I spun so bad I very nearly crashed. It was that big off a difference. I did at least 4 runs where I suddenly started spinning through the gears. Then I got smart and moved to the auto hold launch and that was more manageable. I still spin but not uncontrollably.

View attachment 54977View attachment 54978

Fantastic information here! Thanks for this. I mentioned at “highway speeds” only because I figured the faster I go the faster air gets forced through the system. These gains make me excited to get this installed. I already dropped in a K&N panel filter and did think I noticed an improvement but wasn’t sure if it was imagined.

Your rain guards are exactly what the wife and I were already designing in our heads lol. Maybe dollar store pie plates with twist ties, thrown in the trunk, that can be attached to the grill in weather emergencies or car washes.

 

[AusStinger]

Fantastic information here! Thanks for this. I mentioned at “highway speeds” only because I figured the faster I go the faster air gets forced through the system. These gains make me excited to get this installed. I already dropped in a K&N panel filter and did think I noticed an improvement but wasn’t sure if it was imagined.

Your rain guards are exactly what the wife and I were already designing in our heads lol. Maybe dollar store pie plates with twist ties, thrown in the trunk, that can be attached to the grill in weather emergencies or car washes.

You don't actually need a rain guard for any water ingress since the factory air boxes have water drain holes in each box at the lowest points.
Any water that gets in will drain away and the last little bits will evaporate.

 

[AusStinger]

I installed my Velossa intakes today and can't wait to see the results.

BEFORE.




AFTER.



Stealth

 

[Slip_Angle]

I installed my Velossa intakes today and can't wait to see the results.

BEFORE.

View attachment 57096


AFTER.

View attachment 57097

Stealth

View attachment 57098

What were the results?

 

[AusStinger]

What were the results?

Probably should have said "feel" the results.

In short, they don't do anything monumental but when you're cruising along at speeds around 60-70kph ( 35-43mph ) or more, and you open up the throttle, the response to the action is much more immediate.

As opposed to the turbo's sucking air through the factory air boxes and through the inlets ( negatively displaced ), the air is now positively displaced and is to a degree, being fed to the airboxes under pressure.

It's like the ATQ subframe bushes, subtle but noticeable.

And the other day I drove home in the pi$$ing down rain at around 80kph and fed my boroscope camera from the front into the airbox and saw only minor wetting at the bottom of the airbox. Nothing at all to be concerned about (IMO).

If you were driving at full throttle for a reasonable amount of time during that kind of rain, I'd say your filter would get wet and that's not good.

But so far, I love em.

 

[Slip_Angle]

Probably should have said "feel" the results.

In short, they don't do anything monumental but when you're cruising along at speeds around 60-70kph ( 35-43mph ) or more, and you open up the throttle, the response to the action is much more immediate.

As opposed to the turbo's sucking air through the factory air boxes and through the inlets ( negatively displaced ), the air is now positively displaced and is to a degree, being fed to the airboxes under pressure.

It's like the ATQ subframe bushes, subtle but noticeable.

And the other day I drove home in the pi$$ing down rain at around 80kph and fed my boroscope camera from the front into the airbox and saw only minor wetting at the bottom of the airbox. Nothing at all to be concerned about (IMO).

If you were driving at full throttle for a reasonable amount of time during that kind of rain, I'd say your filter would get wet and that's not good.

But so far, I love em.

Awesome. Thanks for the feedback.

I still have the factory airbox and AEM panel filters. I've removed the inlets. I do have VT snorkels but haven't installed them because I was wondering if it's worth it. Do you think they would make a difference in my case vs just having the inlets removed? I have a G70 so the install is a fair bit more difficult but I'm willing to do it if there would be a further benefit.

 

[AusStinger]

Awesome. Thanks for the feedback.

I still have the factory airbox and AEM panel filters. I've removed the inlets. I do have VT snorkels but haven't installed them because I was wondering if it's worth it. Do you think they would make a difference in my case vs just having the inlets removed? I have a G70 so the install is a fair bit more difficult but I'm willing to do it if there would be a further benefit.

I'm running the same setup ( factory boxes and AEM panels ). I think this is the ultimate / smartest way to run the snorkels.

Why ? Well, if you're cruising along and its raining, you're at light throttle which mean minimal air being drawn in and therefore, up front, the requirement for air going into the snorkels is minimal. Since the air intake is minimal, the mouth of the snorkels will build a slight pressure head and the air / rain won't flow in as much.

For those who run the snorkels feeding pod filters, there's no "sealed" enclosure that will allow the effect above from happening, thus, the air and rain flows more freely directly onto the pod filters which is BAD.

Wet air filters on any turbo cars is a great way to collapse the turbo compressor seals and things go bad from there.


As for your question, removing the inlets will give you 'slightly' less restriction but no "at speed positive displacement" so without them, you're gaining virtually nothing.

If you're hesitant, as opposed to cutting any shrouds etc, remove the shroud, install the snorkels and try them for a while. If you like them, then do what you gotta do, otherwise revert to where you're happy.

My Velossa intakes are on and they're staying on.

 

[Slip_Angle]

I'm running the same setup ( factory boxes and AEM panels ). I think this is the ultimate / smartest way to run the snorkels.

Why ? Well, if you're cruising along and its raining, you're at light throttle which mean minimal air being drawn in and therefore, up front, the requirement for air going into the snorkels is minimal. Since the air intake is minimal, the mouth of the snorkels will build a slight pressure head and the air / rain won't flow in as much.

For those who run the snorkels feeding pod filters, there's no "sealed" enclosure that will allow the effect above from happening, thus, the air and rain flows more freely directly onto the pod filters which is BAD.

Wet air filters on any turbo cars is a great way to collapse the turbo compressor seals and things go bad from there.


As for your question, removing the inlets will give you 'slightly' less restriction but no "at speed positive displacement" so without them, you're gaining virtually nothing.

If you're hesitant, as opposed to cutting any shrouds etc, remove the shroud, install the snorkels and try them for a while. If you like them, then do what you gotta do, otherwise revert to where you're happy.

My Velossa intakes are on and they're staying on.

@dddd (fellow Aussie) measured the drop in restriction from 9 to 4 inches when removing just the inlet, however I do agree with your logic for sure. I love the idea of it being a sealed unit and I like the stealth of the stock airbox - especially with my ECU tune. The G70 install of the VT snorkels is different from the Stinger. The G70 has an active shroud that needs to be defeated but the VT kit comes with a solution to do that.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to do the install when I get a chance.

 

[AusStinger]

@dddd (fellow Aussie) measured the drop in restriction from 9 to 4 inches when removing just the inlet, however I do agree with your logic for sure. I love the idea of it being a sealed unit and I like the stealth of the stock airbox - especially with my ECU tune. The G70 install of the VT snorkels is different from the Stinger. The G70 has an active shroud that needs to be defeated but the VT kit comes with a solution to do that.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to do the install when I get a chance.

9 to 4 inches ??? DAMN ! I would not have picked that !

Active shroud ? Interesting....

One you've installed them, do some checks yourself and report back your thought.

 

[ThunderBoy724]

Here in Canada they pour salt on the roads to keep the ice melted but the result is the roads are always wet and there is constant spray of salt and dirt from other vehicles. My first concern is how much of this fine spray is being sucked into the airbox and coating the filter and my second concern is how the hell do you clean that shit out of the snorkel when its behind the grill? The only thing I could think of was to take out the air filters and stuff a rag in the air inlet and then blast through the grill with a pressure washer. Or maybe a bottle washer brush?

Maybe these things aren't a good idea with the road conditions in the winter in my area

 

[AusStinger]

I would NOT be running with snorkels in the snow.

I'd suggest removing them for winter and reinstall for summer.

Or, buy a junker to drive on the snow and keep the Stinger for good weather.

I've seen what that salt does to cars.... Bad stuff.

Just my opinion.

 

[BobaF99]

I installed my Velossa intakes today and can't wait to see the results.

BEFORE.

View attachment 57096


AFTER.

View attachment 57097

Stealth

How did you trim the shroud? Eyeball it with it sill on? Mine are sitting in their box while I try to decide if I want to ditch the shroud or try to trim it.

 

[AusStinger]

How did you trim the shroud? Eyeball it with it sill on? Mine are sitting in their box while I try to decide if I want to ditch the shroud or try to trim it.

I used a vibration saw for the main cuts and then sandpaper for the final contures.

And yeah, just did by eyeball after deciding how I wanted it to end up. I wanted to keep the shroud so there was no avenue for Kia to blame me if there was any over heating issues or A/C not working etc.

I have seen a better installation than mine. I'll see if I can find a pic of it.

 

[BobaF99]

I used a vibration saw for the main cuts and then sandpaper for the final contures.

And yeah, just did by eyeball after deciding how I wanted it to end up. I wanted to keep the shroud so there was no avenue for Kia to blame me if there was any over heating issues or A/C not working etc.

I have seen a better installation than mine. I'll see if I can find a pic of it.

I'm thinking about ordering another shroud and cutting it. That way if I f it completely up, I have a back up lol