MDesign Intake review-bigmoneycloser

MDesign Performance · January 17, 2015, 08:44:55 PM

Quote from: SHOnUup on January 17, 2015, 07:09:06 PM
If it's possible to dyno it vs. the stock box, I'd suggest that. I think that would be the best one to compare to overall.

Rich

I believe he is doing that as well, I'll contact him and see if he can get a thread going for the dyno that way you guys can ask him for any specifications for the dyno.

WickedSHO · January 21, 2015, 02:04:14 PM

Maybe I am not understanding this...but you are seeing temps below ambient at WOT, but on a consitant basis, I have yet to get anywhere near ambient temp.

Maybe I have the intake installed incorrectly. Most of the time, normal driving, I see temps right about what the Nav screen says.

SHOnUup · January 21, 2015, 04:37:44 PM

Quote from: WickedSHO on January 21, 2015, 02:04:14 PM
Maybe I am not understanding this...but you are seeing temps below ambient at WOT, but on a consitant basis, I have yet to get anywhere near ambient temp.

Maybe I have the intake installed incorrectly. Most of the time, normal driving, I see temps right about what the Nav screen says.

Try comparing to weather channel app temp. I find that torque ambient is 6-10* cooler than my cars display, and the actual temp outside falling in between the 2 most of the time.

Rich

91hybrid · January 21, 2015, 04:47:57 PM

Does it really matter if it is +2 degrees above ambient? With the obvious sensor error exhibited in this thread it's probably safe to say that the intake is getting as close to ambient temp air as possible (below is impossible) right now. Good job MDesign on that specific kpi (key performance indicator).

John

J-Will · January 22, 2015, 08:58:32 AM

Quote from: 91hybrid on January 21, 2015, 04:47:57 PM
Does it really matter if it is +2 degrees above ambient? With the obvious sensor error exhibited in this thread it's probably safe to say that the intake is getting as close to ambient temp air as possible (below is impossible) right now. Good job MDesign on that specific kpi (key performance indicator).

John

No, I do not think it does. This is my impression as well

PokerMunkee · January 22, 2015, 09:34:50 AM

Any sound difference from the stock airbox?

How long to go back between stock and MDesign for warranty work?

How often does the filter need replaced? Easy to find on Amazon?

Trying t justify over $350 for an air intake.

J-Will · January 22, 2015, 09:55:58 AM

Its a k&n filter, so it only needs cleaned

All intakes are pretty straight forward as far as replacement goes. Its probably a 5min endeavor.

I don't want to speak for him but MDesign is essentially a one man shop. I wouldn't expect a lucrative warranty.

ZSHO · January 22, 2015, 10:21:05 AM

The key aspect in any CAI is to sutain and more importanly see gains over the stock oem box which every intake is lacking of and hopefully Ahmeds CAI can deliver both performance and sound cause to me personally love to hear those turbos spool,and to be fair and unbiased the intake setup is top notch and the setup is great for heat dissipation,but what worries me is that the intake is so sealed up that it could suppress the sound level in order to hear those bad boys spool,some may differ on my opinion,if performance and sound is achieved,will be a potential buyer,guess sometimes you cant have both of best worlds,but that was the only thing holding me personally back,until otherwise proved on the dyno results and opinions from others on sound quality,just my 2cent why i'm holding back,thanks,Z.

MDesign Performance · January 22, 2015, 10:55:44 AM

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words.

You can go from MDesign to stock intake in 5 minutes flat, you would remove the front 2 bolts, the clamp connecting to the rest of the intake, remove the sensor and then just lift up and out. Simplicity was key when designing the intake as well as efficiency.

As for sound you definitely hear it, I'll try posting up a video soon (it's been snowing in Michigan).

Filter is washable and does not need to be replaced. You can use any aftermarket cotton filter recharge kit (K&N, AEM, etc.) to clean the filter and oil it if you please. Here is an example of the cleaning process from K&N.

http://www.knfilters.com/cleaning.htm

The main difference between the MDesign and other intakes (Air Raid or K&N) is that anytime you can see the filter it is not a cold air intake as it is ingesting warm, engine bay heat. Our system is a true cold air intake similar to the OEM setup with less restrictions and is made out of real carbon fiber (none of that vinyl stuff).

PokerMunkee · January 22, 2015, 12:18:32 PM

Ok, I'm game. Do we still get the forum discount?

Please send me payment details and I'll paypal it out.

MDesign Performance · January 22, 2015, 03:26:37 PM

Quote from: PokerMunkee on January 22, 2015, 12:18:32 PM
Ok, I'm game. Do we still get the forum discount?

Please send me payment details and I'll paypal it out.

Sent you a PM.

By the way I just want to throw this out there as I saw a comment regarding separate hard pipes to each turbo.

We tried designing the intake with individual pipes to each turbo (similar to Hennessey) and it causes issue with turbulence, you will not have equal lengths to each turbo. This is the reason the OEM intake is designed the way it is, and the reason we retained it on the MDesign Carbon Cold Air Intake. You can think of this effect the same way with happens in exhaust systems and why X/H-pipes are used. The MDesign intake has been long in development and has had more than 3 prototypes to achieve what we have today.

Also we have now another dyno session scheduled, so 2 sets of results coming soon.

BiGMaC · January 22, 2015, 04:20:33 PM

Quote from: MDesign on January 22, 2015, 03:26:37 PM
Quote from: PokerMunkee on January 22, 2015, 12:18:32 PM
Ok, I'm game. Do we still get the forum discount?

Please send me payment details and I'll paypal it out.

Sent you a PM.

By the way I just want to throw this out there as I saw a comment regarding separate hard pipes to each turbo.

We tried designing the intake with individual pipes to each turbo (similar to Hennessey) and it causes issue with turbulence, you will not have equal lengths to each turbo. This is the reason the OEM intake is designed the way it is, and the reason we retained it on the MDesign Carbon Cold Air Intake. You can think of this effect the same way with happens in exhaust systems and why X/H-pipes are used. The MDesign intake has been long in development and has had more than 3 prototypes to achieve what we have today.

Also we have now another dyno session scheduled, so 2 sets of results coming soon.

I remember the earlier designs Ahmad worked with and the math on them as far as flow vs. diameter and friction, etc. I would be open to revisit it IF dyno evidence was presented rather than assumption... I assume too, but only to develop the hypothesis to be tested. To get this info about airflow in turbo feeds might take a tune tweak, but certainly would involve dyno pulls with turbo intake flange open to air as opposed to having the entire intake attached and performance would have to be the benchmark to be reached. Maybe someone is willing to disconnect the system on a hot transverse 3.5 TT engine to find out.
I'd also point out that faster moving air is better since it has less exposure to heat per unit time, like in the OEM setup. With separate tubes air moment is slower if they are of the same diameter as OEM intake to the two turbos. So, right now, it is just where the equalization takes place... in the turbo intake tube (like OEM) or in the filter box (with a dual turbo feed), if they are the same size there will be more heating of intake air, especially if metal tubing is used (the MDesign uses CF). I've seen no evidence regarding the ability of the stock turbos to use more airflow or how much. ... So I believe currently that separate feed tubing to each turbo is an aesthetic preference for appearance and perhaps sound... no dis... everyone has a plan!
I do love the appearance of the MDesign, the ability to access my tranny dipstick without dismantling the car, the sound changes, and the almost complete disappearance of soot buildup in my exhaust tips.

wasinger3000 · January 22, 2015, 04:26:01 PM

Please test it with the hood closed and car at normal operating temperature on the dyno.

SHOdded · January 22, 2015, 04:39:18 PM

You could avoid momentum loss and heat gain on a split design with skinnier tubing and a dimpled inside surface on the tubing, assuming CF/heat rejecting material of course. The exact numbers would need some computer modeling, keeping in mind minimization & equalization of backpressure. Uneven inside diameter likely between the 2 sides. Would it look as good or be as simple to install as the MDesign? I dunno.

MDesign Performance · January 22, 2015, 05:21:47 PM

Quote from: wasinger3000 on January 22, 2015, 04:26:01 PM
Please test it with the hood closed and car at normal operating temperature on the dyno.

With the hood closed the intake draws air from the same location and in the same fashion of the OEM intake. I will let the members/clients who are doing the testing know about having the hood down.

Quote from: SHOdded on January 22, 2015, 04:39:18 PMWould it look as good or be as simple to install as the MDesign?

It would definitely take longer to install from experience as you are removing all turbo intake piping up to the turbos. Also I believe looking good means removing as little of the OEM engineered design as possible, which the MDesign CAI also accomplishes. Aluminum, metal pipes are not an improvement over the OEM plastic. Even when using sealed filters on the setup below it still did not perform as well as the production run MDesign CAI.