Cantrell Air Intake

[NSX2play]

I installed a Cantrell Air Intake System this August and after several thousand kilometres on it, I am pleased to say that it is a great modification!

The OEM intake was startling. I thought that the opening would take up the whole of the driver side air vent to breathe as much air as possible. But no, it is small - about 25% of the vent - and then it follows a tortured path up to the throttle body. The air must go through it like jello through a twisty straw.

The Cantrell intake is a thing of beauty. It takes up the whole opening and then elegantly sweeps up to the throttle body with not a corner in sight. No turbulence there.

Interestingly, Ferrari claims a 20 hp gain at 175 mph on its 550 Maranello from the hood scoop. With that in mind the Cantrell Intake can only help the airflow. And unlike some aftermarket kits it accesses only the cool outside air, not the warm, less dense, air within the engine compartment. While anecdotal evidence is all I can offer I feel that the throttle response is improved and there is some horsepower gained, albeit only at speeds achieved on a racetrack.

Great product. Way to go Will Cantrell.


[This message has been edited by NSX Maven (edited 20 September 2002).]

[This message has been edited by NSX Maven (edited 20 September 2002).]

 

[wildrice]

I also installed the Cantrell AIS in conjunction with the Comptech Uni filter and am extremely happy with the perceived improvement in throttle response. The sonic improvement is marvelous and melodious. Thanks to both Cantrell and Chris at Science of Speed. The only other mods I have is the Arc titanium cat back exhaust and custom powdercoated Volk TE37's in 16/17 fitment. My NSX is approximately 200 lbs lighter than stock due to the above and other lightening measures. Again, the perceived gains in acceleration and throttle response in addition to a more edgy, sporty look are candy to my eyes.

 

[1BADNSX]

Originally posted by NSX Maven:
The OEM intake was startling. it is small - about 25% of the vent - and then it follows a tortured path up to the throttle body. The air must go through it like jello through a twisty straw.

With that in mind the Cantrell Intake can only help the airflow.

Although this may seem to be the case, aerodynamics are hard to see. The reason an intake like the one above doesn't make much difference is due to the air passage that was improved wasn't the most restrictive in the circuit. If you understand electrical circuits, internal air flow is analogous to resistors in series. If you have several small resistors in series with one large resistor, removing one of the small resistors makes little difference. The air filter in the NSX intake is the largest restriction ("resistor") and making small changes upstream of this point do not matter. By the way, I believe the stock air filter in the NSX is designed so well, changing the filter element or other changes to the NSX intake frequently reduce performance. This is based on the back-to-back dyno runs I have done.

Bob

 

[nsx4fun]

1badnsx

What back to back testing have you done?

My only engine mod is a K&N air filter.

Fritz

 

[NSX2play]

Originally posted by nsx4fun:
1badnsx

What back to back testing have you done?

I have not done any back-to-back testing. Only butt to seat testing!

 

[1BADNSX]

Originally posted by nsx4fun:
1badnsx
What back to back testing have you done?

Fritz,

During our Dyno day we took one of the NSX's with a drop-in K&N and did comparative runs with a fairly new stock filter. The stock filter was 1-2 HP higher on average than the K&N. Does this mean the stock is better? Probably not due to the repeatability of the measurements, but the K&N did have less horsepower. The other measurement was a 97 3.2 motor that had the Comptech intake as the only mod. This 3.2 motor only put 249 to the ground. Just three horsepower higher than the best stock 3.0 motor.

Other intakes that breathe engine bay air are crazy IMO, violating obvious laws of physics.

Bob

 

[Sensei]

I can't picture how electrical circuits and air flow can share common properties, the properties with air isn't always a constant. The value of air is dependent upon changes from pressure, temperature, moisture, etc... but then really I don't know what "analogous" means.

Yes, I agree, the NSX intake is well designed but not just for performance.Just guessing, but the small size and irregular path are to to reduce noise, discourage foreign objects, animals, (yes animals, the Legends had pathways underneath for electrical wiring in which rodents found to make perfect homes)and made less susceptable to dirt, water, etc... for these reasons it's easy to understand how power could be sacraficed for other issues just as important.
Just looking at the Cantrell intake I would assume an increase of power, "at speed".
By it's design it's obvious that the gains won't show up on a dyno because your not "at speed". On a dyno the vehicle stands still and even with fans it won't replicate reality.(or load with turbocharged vehicles) It's also probable somebody will be standing next to an NSX on a dyno blocking airflow to the intake. Again I'm just assuming...

Choritsu-shi

 

[nsx4fun]

Bob, thanks for the reply. I don't think I'm going to worry about a 1-2HP delta.

Fritz