After listening to the Mugen engineers in Japan, seeing how long they tested their intake for, reading their very comprehensive report that was provided to us, I am seriously considering getting it.

I don't mind cutting the hood, but I have one lingering doubt.

Are there any owners out there willing to help?

A long time ago, I ran my car without the airbox lid. I did not mind the louder sound when under throttle but at idle there was this most unpleasant whistle. I am concerned that similar bothersome noises may be present with the Mugen CAI.

A detailed description of noises and sounds from this CAI would be extremelly helpful to me. Either here or by e-mail.

Unfortunately this is an expensive piece that I'm not keen in getting just to find out that I cannot live with it. Once is enough for these kind of experiences.

Thanks in advance.

 

Luis-

The Mugen CAI is a strange beast.

While driving the car you can sort of hear it- it's louder than stock, but not HKS exhaust type loud. There's no difference at idle.

At VTEC it's much louder. But at VTEC you want to hear it (sort of like the Mugen exhaust). I wish it were louder, actually. It's sometimes very hard to hear it with a helmet on and other cars around...

But it's MUCH louder at VTEC when heard from outside the car. It's definitely more of a treat to hear it as a spectator...

 

Thanks.

Does it sound like a turbo?

I have had turbo charged cars in the past and the turbo whistling is quite pleasant to hear. Totally different from the sound you get when the airbox lid is off, which is much more of a "something is ruptured" type of sound.

Are there any sound files out there that you know of?

 

Hmm-

It doesn't sound like a turbo. I don't know any intake that makes those sorts of noises.

It's not unpleasant. I don't even notice it until I get into an S2000 with the stock airbox and notice the absence of sound. Keep in mind that apart from the intake opening by the front license plate, the filter is completely enclosed in the engine bay, so it's not as muted by the sheet metal, but yet it's not as open as a stock box without the top, even under the hood.

It's not like some aftermarket exhausts where you KNOW it's there.

 

I have driven both Mugen prepared S2000's and it is hard to notice that the airbox is different from inside the car. As GTR said, you almost wish it was louder. It is hard to tell if you hear more the new exhaust note or the intake when driving.

It is not loud in any way and it much quieter than the MG intake.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Luis
After listening to the Mugen engineers in Japan, seeing how long they tested their intake for, reading their very comprehensive report that was provided to us, I am seriously considering getting it.

[/QUO TE]

Luis: is there a link to this comprehensive report? I'm curious to find out how important it was to cut the hood since all the other CAI producers don't do it. I wonder if the 'neck' of the other makers CAI (e.g. Spoon) are too narrow for optimum air flow. I would think that that's the reason Mugen designed it that way, unless they designed it with the dimensions of their CF hood in mind(?)
Thanks
ˇ

 

I've often wondered why Mugen doesn't make an FRP version of this as well. $1500 is quite a lot when similar carbon fiber systems are going for $350. I don't even think carbon fiber is really necessary for a CAI, fiber reinforced plastic would probably be fine.

 

You can find their report here.

Additionally, there is more information on our tour and briefing at Mugen here.

 

You need to "notch" out the underside of the hood for the Mugen CAI. It is a very clean procedure if you know what you are doing.

CF for an CAI makes alot of sense to me. Why do you want cold air? Why would you want any heat soak into the intake from the engine bay? CF is a great insulator.

 

I know what you are asking about Luis.
The constant hum that you can hear while idling.
I regret to tell you that there is that hum while idling with Mugen Intake.
If that bothers you that much, I don't know what to say.
Even the Mugen themselves caution those who are sensitive to noise to stay away.
As noted the sound of engine moves up a notch from 4000+.
But nothing like the combo of matching carbon fiber bonnet in combo with intake, wow... I just got the bonnet and installed it and gee, I guess with the vent openings, the engine sounds like an angry beast. I guess the beast was screaming with hands covering the mouth before

Anyway, the installation is bit too involved and in the end you wished your gain is lot more but the gain is too subtle to notice with the intake upgrade alone. Though, I suspect with total package of header, intake, exaust and ecu that may change.
Here is also one thing that I wished:
I wished they included k&N filter cleaner and oil kit to make the package really complete with the $1500 price.
Because filter need to be oiled before installation. and the filter will take on a red hue after oiling. You can see it in HyperRevBook that the filter looks red compare to greenish hue when packaged unoiled. For me I didn't know about oiling issue and used it unoiled for a quite a bit 7000miles+ but without any illeffect but I've corrected that by going with manufacturer's recommendation by oiling it.

Anyway going back to the humming issue at idling,
It may have bothered me initially but the noise has become like a second nature after a bit and I don't notice it anymore unless I try to listen for it.
It is bar non the best intake system out there with countless researches been done but you may need to add other Mugen component to make it really shine.

If you pay someone to install it for you, gosh I can only imagine what the bill may be since it is very labor intensive with many drilling and cutti'n. I guess you need to start making friend with potential installer

*If you have a silver color and want one in fraction of cost and live in DC, MD, VA area, you may get very lucky since I may regretfully part with Mugen intake when the supercharger arrives next week. Since I also have the hood cut-out already you may be saved from doing painstaking cutting work.