Introduction
The R-Speed kit is not exactly the cheapest filter option. However, I decided to try it because it does offer greater performance advantages than cheaper drop-in filter replacements, and because it is a fully reversible upgrade and has no complications such as requiring repositioning of the bonnet stay or cutting holes in heat shields, etc, as the available ram-air options seemed to require.

The kit consists mainly of a replacement intake duct and a Monster Flow foam cone filter. This increases the filter surface area and intake cross-section considerably, as well as smoothing the air-flow to allow the engine to breathe more easily. The quality of the kit seems very good.

Installation
Fitting was extremely simple for my relative lack of mechanical training.

(Click on images to enlarge them and highlight the numbered components)

First, the components of the old system are removed, disconnecting the end of the EGR hose (1), and removing the air temperature sensor (2) and mass air (airflow) sensor (3) components which will be integrated into the new kit.

Then the new duct is fitted with a silicone link hose to the throttle body of the engine, the mass air sensor (3) is attached at the other end with another hose, and the filter is added to the end of this chain with the last silicone hose.

A simple L-bracket supports the right hand end of the kit in the engine bay. The temperature sensor (2) is inserted into a hole in the duct, and EGR hose (1) pushed onto a connector on the rear of the duct.

I had no problems fitting it, although the silicone hose attaching to the filter was quite tight and took a bit of stretching and coercing. The kit fits easily in the available space - you actually end up with a lot of extra free space in the engine bay, as the kit is so much simpler than the stock parts. The only parts I required that were not supplied were 2 cable ties to tidy the sensor cables and ensure they do not rub or catch on the belts and pulleys below.

From opening the box to going for a test drive, installation took about an hour, stopping frequently to take photos of the steps and double check everything to make sure I was doing it right and could easily recover the old system if I had a problem.

Results
The kit claims to increase power by about 6 bhp. I only have seat-of-the-pants feelings to go on, but I haven't noticed any significant drop in power at low revs (apparently a problem with some induction kits), but as the revs increase, there is a small but noticeable improvement. The engine seems a bit more free-revving, and engine braking effects seem slightly weaker now. However, it is hard at times to separate the psychological effect of the new engine noise from its physical effects - it sounds a lot more grunty, which may influence my perceptions.

One thing that I have definitely noticed is the difference in performance in hot and cold air. The car accelerates noticeably better in the cool evening air than in the heat of a summer day, and this difference is far more marked than with the stock intake.

The kit is described as having a "pleasing growl under acceleration". The extra noise is directly related to the throttle opening - at idle and low throttle, you can hardly hear a difference in volume, although there is a pronounced sucking noise; at wider throttle openings it really gets quite loud - roar seems a better word than growl!

Below 3000rpm it sounds a bit like a "classy" blowing exhaust, but above that range it starts to resonate most pleasingly (listen to the sound samples below), and around 4500rpm it is utterly sweeeet! After the relatively quiet (sometimes described as "like a hair dryer") engine note with the normal filter, the volume of the roar it makes is quite a startling change! It certainly turns heads too (sometimes a good thing, sometimes a bad thing!). One advantage I have noted is that when accelerating out of intersections and roundabouts, other cars can now hear me, which has noticeably reduced the number of people trying to blindly run me down instead of giving way.

Initially I was in two minds about the difference the kit makes to the engine noise - on one hand, it's a pleasing deep bass that is joyful as you accelerate through 4500 rpm (and I now resent having to lift off the throttle!) On the other hand, it seems very loud, and driving through a built up area at night (or past a police car!) it is very hard not to feel quite uncouth and conspicuous. It can also feel a little embarrassing when passing something in a high gear and making a noise that seems much greater than the level of acceleration you are achieving! However, a little attitude adjustment when accelerating in town and it really is quiet. After several weeks of acclimatisation, I don't think I would be at all happy to lose my new engine note!

Speaking of which, here is a sound sample that will give you an idea of how the car now sounds (recorded on a stock car with no other noisy mods). It gets a bit windy over about 55mph, and the rattling is my hood, as I can never be bothered lashing it down with the tonneau cover :-). Towards the end, I ease off the throttle, and the engine noise immediately drops away below the wind noise. You'll need PC speakers with decent bass to do this justice!

For more information, check outr the R Speed website, and their Monster Flow dyno results, and the Monster Flow filter website.

May 2001