K&N Typhoon Intake Install/Review

So yesterday I picked up a K&N Typhoon Cold-Air Intake from Traffik Performance for $460 CAD.

Unboxing The Intake

When I first opened the box I admit that I was excited. What was evident once I inspected all the parts and pieces was that this kit is extremely well made. Everything was wrapped in protective packaging and nothing was damaged.

The Original Set-up

So here is my engine bay before i started the install. My biggest concern with the Intake was how the fitment would be. I wanted to use the factory engine cover but i wasn’t sure how it would fit with the new intake.

The Install

After removing the Air flow sensor and the vaccum connection sensor, which was a pain by the way, I then had to loosen the clamps holding the Intake tube to the Air-Box. After popping the Air-Box out of its mounts, the box came right out.

I removed the vacuum lines from the intake tube then removed the tube. This step was probably the easiest part of the install.

Install: Day Two

After the original Intake tube had been removed, I had to remove a silver screen from the original Air-Box and put it on the new Intake. The new intake tube is screwed to the heat-shield and the air-filter adapter. Gaskets are used between the intake tube/the heat-shield and between the heat-shield/filter adapter.

The intake tube is attached to the throttle body through a rubber cuppling which is secured by hose clamps. The heat-shield is held in place by two screws put into factory holes in the intake tray.

The next step was rather easy, just putting the filter on and securing it with hose clamps. Then the air flow sensor and vacuum sensor are reconnected. All the vacuum lines are connected to the intake tube with hose clamps.

The Finished Product

The final step was reconnecting the battery and putting the factory engine cover back on. After a little adjusting, the cover goes on without a problem. The next thing to do was to start the car and check for any vacuum leaks and check engine lights. Everything was good so I took it for a test drive.

Install Review

The install took me about two hours, mostly because of problems removing the sensors and running back/forth for tools. Other than those issues the install was easy.

Intake Review

Once I started the car I noticed the the idle stayed higher than usual for a longer period of time but this went away after a short drive. From inside and outside the car I couldn’t notice any increase of sound, probably because my car doesn’t have a muffler. After a 5 minute warm-up I set off, again I couldn’t hear the intake from inside car.

Reflecting on the test drive, I couldn’t notice an increase in horsepower. I did notice that the idle was smoother and an increase in throttle response. I only noticed the sound of the intake when i went through a tunnel. The sound can be compared to an angry hornets nest. I then had someone rev the engine so i can hear the sound from the front. At low RPMs the sound is throaty but at higher RPMs it gets raspy.

Opinion

Was the Intake worth $460? I don’t think so but I will say that I love it. The sound alone makes the intake great. I would say that the intake is loud for those who have the original exhaust because there isn’t an aftermarket noise covering up the induction noise.