Mishimoto Build Thread: BRZ/FR-S Performance Cold-Air Intake

[marcoaferrer]

Just saw your catch can thread. @Craig I think they were talking about this catch can. The baffled one.

[Simon99]

Update ?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

[Mishimoto]

Originally Posted by Simon99

Update ?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

Sorry for the delay in updates! We should have Part 3 of this build posted by midday tomorrow! This portion will feature the results from our first round of testing.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by marcoaferrer

When you say "already seeing oil in the lines" do you actually see oil in the lines running to and from the engine or your only seeing oil in the lines running from the engine?

I'm saying I already see oil in the lines coming from the block to the bay. The hose on the intake side is already discolored and dirty, while the exhaust side (going into the throttle body) is much clearer.

I'll be doing an oil change soon and I'll be updating my thread with my findings in the can.

[Rocketstaples]

Really interesting thread and I am looking forward to the end result.

Quick question out of curiosity: Does the Mishimoto induction hose have an effect on the AFR in any way?

[Mishimoto]

Originally Posted by Rocketstaples

Really interesting thread and I am looking forward to the end result.

Quick question out of curiosity: Does the Mishimoto induction hose have an effect on the AFR in any way?

Great! Thanks for following, we have part 3 on the way today.

The induction hose does not effect AFR in any way.

Thanks
-John

[Mishimoto]

Check out part 3 of the build process below! More data on the way later this week!

2013+ Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S Performance Cold-Air Intake, Part 3: Initial Prototype Testing and Data Collection
Welcome back! In our previous post we reported on the development of prototypes for our intake pipe, filter location, and mass air flow (MAF) housing. We decided it would be beneficial to test the effects of various MAF housing sizes on air/fuel ratios (AFRs). The factory MAF housing utilizes a 70 mm ID for its housing. We developed a 67 mm, 70 mm, and 73 mm MAF housing so we could evaluate the effect on both power and air/fuel ratios. We would be borrowing a vehicle from a member of our accounting department. Thanks to a brutal winter, the photo below shows what we were frequently greeted with when bringing a car into the shop during the development process!


Daily-driven test vehicle, 2013 FR-S

With all our prototypes ready to rock and our vehicle at hand, it was time for testing day. Our team set to work strapping the vehicle down to the dyno and prepared to make some baseline runs on the stock setup. Luckily, we caught a day where the weather was agreeable and the vehicle was free of snow and salt.



Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake dyno testing


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake dyno testing


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake dyno testing


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake dyno testing

Finally, we were prepared to make a few pulls. As you can see from the last image we have numerous development projects going on at once. The 6.0L Powerstroke on the right is receiving a nice aluminum radiator upgrade courtesy of Mishimoto! But, this article isn’t about rolling coal or compound turbo setups, so back to the discussion about the 86.We would be first testing the completely stock intake system. It is important that our processes remain consistent for each component we test. During each portion of data collection we warm-up the vehicle adequately and make 3–5 pulls with a short 5-minute break between each one. This allows us to form a consistent average that we can use for comparison against the Mishimoto intake.


Stock BRZ/FR-S intake testing


Stock BRZ/FR-S intake testing

After obtaining baseline data, we installed the Mishimoto intake system and begin testing each of the MAF housings we had fabricated. We used housings with inner diameters of 67 mm, 70 mm, and 73 mm for comparison with the stock power and AFR. Check out our prototype in its near final state for testing.


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake dyno testing

After a long day of swapping components and making pulls, we finally had all of the data necessary to push this project in the right direction. Our team compiled the results and reviewed them. The results were very similar to what we expected!


BRZ/FR-S Intake Dyno Plots

The plot above has quite a bit going on so let me break this down for you in a form that is more easily managed. This plot is organized by peak AFR, which was our main concern/target during this particular testing. Power numbers are collected at 6,000 rpm, while peak power is found around the range of 6,750 rpm. Check out the chart below!




Let’s review this information! The stock intake is making reasonable power and torque while maintaining an AFR ratio less than 13:1 throughout the entire power band. This is smooth, safe power. Our goal was to emulate this AFR as closely as possible while still adding power – not an easy task.


The Mishimoto intake setup with the 67 mm MAF housing actually reduced power output. This smaller-than-stock housing richened the fuel mixture quite substantially, which provided a peak AFR of 10.94:1 and a drop in power compared to the stock intake across the entire power band. This is a prime example of why intake systems require extreme precision. Running your vehicle with ratios such as this would result in horrendous fuel mileage, potentially fouled plugs and/or oxygen sensors, potential catalytic converter issues, and even cylinder wall washing. None of these are going to be fun to deal with, so buy a product with a full data sheet to be sure you are installing an intake that will keep AFRs safe for your FA20.


Next up was the Mishimoto intake with the 70 mm MAF housing, the same size as the factory setup. Although gains were slight at 6,000 rpm, we did see a gain in whp and wtq with this setup. Additionally, this housing very closely followed the factory AFR curve through the entire rpm range, with a peak AFR of 12.71:1. If you look further up the power curve, this particular intake is generating nearly 10 whp over the stock intake. The 70 mm housing is certainly going to be a contender, but let’s take a look at the 73 mm setup and see how it performed.


From our chart we can see that the larger pipe is producing similar power to the factory intake at 6,000 rpm. Beyond this, the 73 mm housing provides the highest peak power of any combination tested. This is great, but let’s also take a look at the AFR chart. This intake setup provides an AFR curve far too lean for our liking. The peak high is 13.71:1 at 6,100 rpm. It is easy to see how many of the aftermarket options are providing such a high output compared to the factory intake. By expanding the pipe size, airflow through the MAF housing is not being properly monitored, resulting in a lean ratio. This lean ratio in turn provides improved power at the cost of potential engine concerns. The ratio achieved with this housing size was far too lean and not something we would want to release to the public. The potential issues resulting from a lean condition (detonation, engine damage) are far too risky and certainly not worth trading for a few extra horsepower.


Data Conclusion
With this testing information, it was easy for our team to select the 70 mm MAF housing for the final prototype of our intake system. This housing followed the factory AFR curve yet still provided power improvements. Although we tested units making greater power, we believe this product will be the best balance of power, consistency, and reliability. Additionally, this intake provides a serious reduction in restriction and promotes improved airflow over the factory intake. Because of this, you can expect even greater power increases when combined with other modifications, such as an exhaust or tune.


We managed to capture a few videos of the dyno pulls! Check it out.


[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B35P7Q44ZBY"]2013+ Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S Intake Testing - YouTube[/ame]


The proof of this product is in the power output, but you also get that great intake tone. The difference between the stock pulls and the Mishimoto intake pulls is substantial! This intake provides a throatier growl upon acceleration and is much louder than the factory system, especially in the higher rpm range.


With our main testing complete, we set out to develop an additional component to help direct airflow to the new filter location. The area behind the bumper was previously occupied by ducts and scoops to pull air from the front grille. We would need some form of ducting to ensure that optimal airflow was being supplied to the filter, the heat exchangers for coolant, and the AC system. Check out a few shots of the prototype below.



BRZ/FR-S Intake air diverter


BRZ/FR-S Intake air diverter

That is all for this portion of the build! We will return soon with a fully polished prototype for our final installation and round of testing to ensure that this product is exactly as we had envisioned from the start.

Thanks for following!

[Mishimoto]

Hey guys,

We finally completed the R&D process for this intake kit! The final results were great. Check out the information, images, video, and dyno plot below!

2013+ Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S Performance Cold-Air Intake, Part 4: Final Product Testing and Additional Data Collection

We are finally at the last stage of R&D for this intake! After constructing a final prototype we were prepared to test fitment and ensure that power output and AFR readings remained unchanged. Check out our final prototype components!


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake pipe final prototype


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake pipe final prototype


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake pipe and MAF housing final prototype


The pipes turned out great for this intake! The CNC-machined MAF mount and air straightener are spot-on, and the mandrel bent pipe is perfect. Our team installed the prototype to check fitment prior to final testing and everything went in like it was designed to do. Yes, the bumper must be removed to install this intake kit as well as to service the filter. We found that after completing this task once, it was an extremely simple and quick job. Bumper removal can be completed in around 30–45 minutes, and after a few installs our team was able to complete this task in far less time. As with all our products, we will have a full instructional video to make installation a bit easier for you! Check out this kit installed on the FR-S!


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake final prototype installed


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake final prototype installed


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake final prototype installed


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake final prototype installed


Next it was time to install this on a car and make a few additional dyno pulls to be sure our testing results remained consistent. Ample driving time was conducted with the test vehicle to account for any ECU adjustments that would affect both power and AFRs. We applied some high-tech scratch resistant tape (I’m joking, its painters tape!) to protect the surface of the pipe during installation.


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake final prototype testing


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake final prototype testing


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake test vehicle


After following the same processes as our last set of tests, we finally had conclusive data for our finished product. Check out the plot below!


Mishimoto BRZ/FR-S intake dyno plot


Now let’s pick apart this graph. First, the important stuff … power!!! The Mishimoto intake improves power and torque output during both the midrange and upper rpm range. Our peak gains were just over 10 whp and 8 wtq at just below 6,500 rpm. We also made significant whp and wtq from 3,750 rpm to 4,750rpm, which provided some extra midrange grunt. The AFR graph at the bottom shows that the Mishimoto intake follows the factory curve, providing nearly identical values.
In true Mishimoto fashion we also captured a pull on video! Check it out below!


[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkyrtNQg6WU"]2013+ Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S Intake Testing - YouTube[/ame]


From the data collected we confirmed that the project was a success. Time to recap our goals before putting this one in the books.


Goals
1. Direct-fit unit should require no modification to the vehicle.
Check! This intake kit installs easily in very little time and requires no irreversible modification to your vehicle. Obviously this unit will replace the airbox and ducting, but it can be reinstalled if you ever decide to reinstall the factory equipment.

2. Intake should pull cold air from outside the engine bay.
This intake is designed with a filter location behind the front bumper and outside the engine bay. This allows for a cool intake charge and reduces the chances of heat soaking your intake.

3. Include Mishimoto high-flow air filter.
We include a high-quality Mishimoto oiled and reusable air filter, which provides optimal flow as well as superior filtration.

4. Improve horsepower and torque.
This is the main highlight of this intake! Our dyno-proven intake provided 10 whp and 8 wtq, all while maintaining safe air-to-fuel ratios (AFRs).

5. AFR should be safe during all driving conditions.
Extensive testing of numerous intake combinations provided the correct data to develop the most efficient and safe system. Our intake follows the factory AFR curve almost exactly.

6. Install should be simple and well documented.
Installation can be completed in less than one hour and uses simple handle tools. Our team will be filming an installation guide to make installation a seamless process.

7. Improve intake noise to delight the auditory senses of the driver, passengers, and any lucky bystanders.
You watched the videos! I will let you decide if we met this goal.

Product Conclusion

With all project goals met we could move this one into the complete file. We will be offering this intake in both polished and wrinkle-black finishes. The wrinkle finish provides a more subtle, factory-like appearance. We should be releasing this kit to the public in the very near future! Feel free to follow up with any specific questions or comments.


Thanks

[mid_life_crisis]

I apologize if this was already asked elsewhere, but will there be discounted package deals for those who want the intake and your replacement tube?

[Mishimoto]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

I apologize if this was already asked elsewhere, but will there be discounted package deals for those who want the intake and your replacement tube?

No apology necessary, you are the first to ask this! We have actually discussed this a few times and may look into offering these two items as a package deal.

Thanks for the inquiry!

[malubawla]

Finally looks like an intake worth buying!

[Mishimoto]

Originally Posted by malubawla

Finally looks like an intake worth buying!

Thanks for reading!

[Mishimoto]

Hey guys,

This intake is officially released and available for purchase! Check out the finalized specs below or on the product page!

Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S Performance Cold-Air Intake, 2013+

Product Specs

• Direct fit for the 2013+ Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S
• Provides 10 whp / 8 wtq gains while maintaining A/F ratios with no additional tuning
• Mandrel-bent aluminum intake piping includes CNC-machined MAF housing and air straightener
• Fully serviceable oiled air filter provides 16% increase in filter surface area compared to the stock filter
• Available with a polished or wrinkle black finish
• Powder-coated air diverter plate provides ample airflow to both the radiator and intake filter
• Improves engine tone
• True cold-air design places the filter outside the hot engine bay
• Smooth piping eliminates restrictions and improves airflow
• Made in the USA and includes the Mishimoto Lifetime Warranty

Tech Specs


Features and Benefits
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=A7kMMv_nW5I"]2013+ Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S / Toyota GT86 Performance Cold-Air Intake Kit Features & Benefits - YouTube[/ame]


Installation
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KylrKZ5zgc4"]2013+ Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S / Toyota GT86 Performance Cold-Air Intake Kit Installation - YouTube[/ame]


Dyno Testing
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=B35P7Q44ZBY"]2013+ Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S Intake Testing - YouTube[/ame]


Engineering Report
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-...ringReport.pdf


Build Log
http://engineering.mishimoto.com/?cat=76













Feel free to follow up with any questions or comments!
Thanks

[mid_life_crisis]

I'll ask the obvious: how much with the silicone inlet hose?