Review on 🚀 Optimized Injen SP3009P Short Ram Intake System for Superior Performance by Robert Farrar

Let me start this review by saying I was obsessed with my air intake before I bought it. In terms of installation and quality, it was easy and well made. Although there were a few things I would like to improve - the tubing feedthrough (from the shield) was very loose and the whole thing moved despite being bolted to the shield. It's not bad considering it should be able to move from the flex of the engine, but it could be a little tighter. Another area I would like to improve is that the shield doesn't keep engine heat out from under the filter - it's just open. All in all, the product itself is pretty good. BUT! Let me explain why I'm powerless. Like I said before I bought this I was obsessed with my consumption. I don't want to go modding crazy, no tune, no exhaust, I just wanted better acceleration while still having decent/better MPGs. I've tried several combinations of a standard filter, K&N, and a cheap "cold air" kit you can buy on ebay (also available on Amazon here). Here's what I found: Stock airbox and filter - about 30mpg city, 40-46 HighwayStock airbox with K&N - about 29mpg city, 39 HighwayModded Stock airbox (wide open behind headlight) and K&N drop-in filter - like standard airbox (29/39) Cheap ebay "CAI" and pod filter - 35 mpg city, 47-52 highway (seriously, 52 mpg at 70 mph) Injen CAI is the same as the cheap pod filter . Each test was a full tank and average mileage/fuel. in the car: VW TDISo 12th year of manufacture. As I said, I've tried a few things to get the best bang for your buck. The pod filter *really* helped in my case. You get the boost you're here for, you get a nice inductive whoosh, a slight psh off the petals, and you get decent MPGs too. So why did I buy this thing when a cheaper pod filter obviously works better? Well I was hoping the cold air would give me some extra power and mpg (I got a decent deal on buying one too). I? no It was, in fact, almost exactly the same - same MPGs, same acceleration feel/times, but not enough to justify (at least for me) spending $230 on a legitimate cold air intake. But unfortunately I have one, and of course I'll keep it to myself. Am I happy with that? Yes. It looks clean and I like it - it looks smooth. In hindsight, I would have just left the cheap aluminum duct and just bought a Specter or K&N pod filter. Hope that helps. Your mileage may vary. In fact, I was quite surprised that a cheap outdoor air filter next to the engine worked better than the stock one. From all the research I've done and other trial/error, it's usually the pod that makes it worse, with the exception of induction noise (who doesn't love hearing their engine roar, amirite?)