TRD High Flow Air Filter Air Box

[Stormy320]

So what is the verdict on this mod?

How much does it cost, how hard is it to install, and what are the performance results.

Thanks

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by Stormy320

So what is the verdict on this mod?

How much does it cost, how hard is it to install, and what are the performance results.

Thanks

$38 for the box, $55 for da filter. a semi-bitch to install from what i've read. Got to drill in the firewall(?) the holes in the box don't line up. Don't know about performance, but with green filter should be at least that of the stock box. intake sound increases a lot + whine.

I've yet to install mine.

[choi0706]

its not that much anymore, and lotus is backordered and increasing the prices..

[Stormy320]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

I've yet to install mine.

Well - hurry up - we want to know .

[knucklehead]

I bought the cup car box from LorBH. The install wasn't that bad and it sounds amazing on the 2nd cam. I also installed the Lotus Sport ECU. My butt meter says it's faster, which means nothing. But I have it from two people that I respect a great deal tell me that they dynoed the combo and got something like 14hp from it.

[Thomasio]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

Got to drill in the firewall(?) the holes in the box don't line up.

Nope, you don't need to drill anything. With enough curse words, you can get the holes to line up. Probably the most annoying install I've ever done, period. There is just so little room to get the airbox and air filter installed... allow plenty of time. And don't drill.

[LordZ]

Piece of cake if your clam tilts.

[Murix]

Maybe I should dyno mine. I had the cup box on my car since January and the Lotus Sport ECU as well as Exhaust. It definitely feels and sounds better, but I can not say scientifically if it is better.

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by knucklehead

I bought the cup car box from LorBH. The install wasn't that bad and it sounds amazing on the 2nd cam. I also installed the Lotus Sport ECU. My butt meter says it's faster, which means nothing. But I have it from two people that I respect a great deal tell me that they dynoed the combo and got something like 14hp from it.

Originally Posted by Thomasio

Nope, you don't need to drill anything. With enough curse words, you can get the holes to line up. Probably the most annoying install I've ever done, period. There is just so little room to get the airbox and air filter installed... allow plenty of time. And don't drill.

thanks ya'll.

[Smoky]

So are you guys just buying the Lotus Sport ECU, swapping it for your oem ECU, and that's it? Is there a year range where there is allowable? I have an 07 Exige S.

No CELs, no issues?

Does one need to upgrade injectors as well? Isn't the Lotus Sport ECU basically the ECU in the CUP car, which has slightly larger injectors if I recall correctly.

Very curious about the ECU swap. I just received my "Lotus Sport"/TRD CUP airbox lid today.


And what was the verdict on the proper filter to use with the CUP airbox? Will the stock-sized green filter work ok? That part of the discussion never seem to have gotten resolved.

Thx

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by Smoky

So are you guys just buying the Lotus Sport ECU, swapping it for your oem ECU, and that's it? Is there a year range where there is allowable? I have an 07 Exige S.

No CELs, no issues?

Does one need to upgrade injectors as well? Isn't the Lotus Sport ECU basically the ECU in the CUP car, which has slightly larger injectors if I recall correctly.

Very curious about the ECU swap. I just received my "Lotus Sport"/TRD CUP airbox lid today.


And what was the verdict on the proper filter to use with the CUP airbox? Will the stock-sized green filter work ok? That part of the discussion never seem to have gotten resolved.

Thx

you don't need ECU upgrade or larger injectors. You already have the same size injectors as Cup car. The stock filter will not fit. The easiest would be to buy the TRD filter, I have the green filter for the cup box, but I may slightly modify the rubber surround to have it fit better with the adapter.

[Johnny B]

I use the TRD Filter (resuable oiled version) and everything fits fine. Install was a PITA and I was able to get the hole on the far right to line up. I first installed the two bolts on the left and then bent the bracket on the right side. I then pulled the box towards the right and was able to eventually get the bolt threaded. It was a bit of work, but very doable.

[Smoky]

Hi there

Thx for the info.

I know I don't *need* the ECU but it seems like it would compliment intake-side mods. Just not sure how plug and play it is to use the Sport ECU, and what issues/compromises could result in using the Sport ECU. ECU swaps never usually end up being as straightforward as it is made out by the mfr, so I am skeptical until I hear some evidence from you guys.

I don't think the Exige S (S220) has the same injectors as the S240 (last year's "CUP" car) or the S255 (this year's CUP car). In fact I believe that is where the extra 20hp in the 240 comes from: a Lotus Sport ECU mapping, CUP airbox, and larger injectors. Is that not correct?


Thx for the info on the air filter. So I should be able to get the TRD filter for this box and it fits just fine then, right? After all the part numbers that have been tossed around, can someone provide a single end-all "this works" filter part number? I'd appreciate it.

Thx again

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Smoky

After all the part numbers that have been tossed around, can someone provide a single end-all "this works" filter part number? I'd appreciate it.

That is what I posted on page 3.

[Smoky]

Ok thx Eric. I saw your post, and was going by that, but there's been so much back and forth.

So if I want a Green filter to fit this box it would be
Green Filter part number - 2093
according to your post. Right?

Because there was some discussion about the filter edge thickness vs fitment in the box lid with the adapter. Is there a filter that fits "best" that anyone has tried? K&N perhaps?

Thanks
Great post btw. Should be the first post in this thread. Or should be a sticky in its own post, IMHO.

[EricH]

I am 1/2 way done with installing the TRD airbox and K&N. Per a previous post the 1st box I got was broken (my car had not been delivered yet so no biggie). I am told my box will finally be in tomorrow. However, I was able to remove the stock airbox (WHAT A PITA so far), and since my adapter was ok I siliconed it to the stock airbox (MAF side) so I will be ready to go when the new box gets here. So far I saw the K&N has little recesses that fit into the pegs that the adapter has.

Two things that were most likely obvious to those of you that have owned their Lotus for a while. I am not sure why people keep debating on getting rid of these things if the cup car doesn't have them anyway.
1) The TRD box gets rid of the 'Flapper'. So what do I do with the vacuum hose? I guess I will just plug it off the lines. EDIT: I did a lot of searching and found CharlieX confirming it will not throw a CEL (even if electrically disconnected. I will just plug off the lines). Also noticed that no one really said exactly what the flapper does. It is closed until >4000 RPM, maybe it is for noise, some said it is for better warm-up (but when it opens it pulls air from the engine compartment, which would be slightly warmer air). Not sure it really does anything on our cars besides restrict noise and perhaps slight airflow <4000.
2) The TRD box gets rid of the snorkel.

I hope to finish the install tomorrow. It depends how late the part arrives. I now see how much larger the intake path is compared to stock. Cool stuff.

[Smoky]

Pics pics pics! Can't wait to hear about the final install. I'll be doing this myself soon. Let us know how that K&N fits in there. Do you still have to oil K&Ns? It would suck to have to maintain the filter in this location, but if it's the only one that is reported to fit well then so be it.

Thanks for the update!

[EricH]

Ok, I finished the install a few hours ago. I might have some pics to post (won't really help with install) but I can't get to it until tomorrow.

So, the supercharger is louder (I only drove around with windows down so far), I can hear a little 'suction noise', and I can hear the bypass valve working if I shift quickly. Both those sounds are very slight and I did not hear them at all with the stock airbox/snorkel. The supercharger sound is about the same as stock just pooping around. When you start revving or putting the hammer down it is louder than stock. Reminds me of the blower whine that .. say a newer Cobra Mustang, or F-150 Lightning (I know, I am prob insulting some of you) might have. Sounds good to me!

In no other car is "changing the airbox" a 2hr ordeal, but in my opinion this is a worthwhile mod. I CAN tell that changing (or in my case cleaning) will be easier than the stock airbox was - maybe I will gain my 2hrs back over the years.

The bracket that holds the airbox to the firewall did have to be bent for all three mounting bolts to line up. I read that many had problems with that. It was not too bad. I threaded the far right bolt first, then bent the bracket toward the fender. I then threaded the bottom left bolt (closest to the firewall). Finally I just bent the bracket and pulled to box over to the left so that the final upper left bolt lined up. It was not easy but I was expecting worse.

The sticker for me was made easier when I pulled my head out of my butt. The air intake hose that is between the airbox and the throttle body was a b*tch to connect to the airbox, until I just pulled it off the throttle body too. I then installed it on the airbox, and then re-fit it on the throttle body.

I had zero problems with the K&N. It fit perfectly, and even had indentions that fit the tabs that are in the TRD parts.

DO silicone the adapter to the factory airbox (the side that has the MAF).

So, overall this mod was fun as this was the 1st wrench I have ever turned on the Lotus (besides gluing on new mirrors). I am glad I did it! I would love to say some HP was added, if there was any it is too little to feel by seat of the pants (as expected).

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Smoky

Do you still have to oil K&Ns? It would suck to have to maintain the filter in this location, but if it's the only one that is reported to fit well then so be it.

The K&N fit perfect, it comes pre-oiled and ready to install. Maintaining the K&N is not that bad. Only a 'throw away' filter would be easier as all you to is throw away and replace - but the idea here is that the K&N flows better than the throw away types. TRD has a re-usable filter, I am not sure how it works, perhaps it is just a wash instead of the wash, dry, re-oil required from the K&N.

[Smoky]

Ya I've used K&N's for years. Got tired of the mess, and the risk to the MAF from the oil (you really gotta let that oil soak in and let any excess run-off for a long time before reinstalling).

But, if it fits..then that may be the only option.

Are you using the same K&N part number posted earlier in this thread?

Thx