My CT Ice Box Review

[scratchieepants]

Originally Posted by evertp1

Why do people make the ICEbox seem so special? I don't understand. Maybe I should get one and find out what all the hype about this intake. Does it make a lot of power or something?

I haven't used it yet either. But I think it's especially beneficial for AT users when compared to a CAI. You're supposed to get the boost in power at lower RPM's that AT users are usually at.

I kinda wanna trade my Injen CAI for one too

[audioserf]

The allure of the icebox can be attributed to any/all of the following...

- made by CT-E, so it's a very high-quality and perfect-fitting product
- looks nearly stock, good for those who like the sleeper look, sometimes good for keeping dealerships off your ass
- easy to clean/change the filter
- no risk of hydrolock
- good for throttle response and low-end power
- not too loud, mostly stock sound

[Jeremiah]

Question, as traditionally, I've always done the AEM/Injen style CAI setups...

How do you like the foam filter element?

Why do they call it an ice box? It's not that cold... it's just an intake, in a box... like a volant intake setup?

I've never really noticed a lack in power at all in the power bands with the use of a standard CAI setup, does the comptech somehow outflow a standard intake pipe at low rpm?

Do you not get the screaming top end with this product like you do with a traditional CAI setup?

I ask, because I have a manual, and if I'm low in the rpm band, I'm not worried about power, I'm worried about fuel economy... when I want to go fast, I take the tach all the way up they way any 4 cylinder, or for that matter, any engine would. (Sans turbo diesel)

I have been holding out to see what the CTE air intake will look like/perform like for the cu2... so really I'm just asking this of this forum, since I've never really run across a forum that is so hard up for the CT intake piece, in comparison to traditional setups.

[audioserf]

I think most people with Iceboxes have replaced the foam element with a K&N and noticed superior performance and a bit sportier induction sound.

As far as the name goes, the filter's insulated from engine bay heat (somewhat) and also draws cold air from the fender with a snorkel. I kind of consider the Icebox an SRI/CAI hybrid for that reason. Without having owned one myself that's about as helpful as I can be in answering your questions.

[Jeremiah]

Well, I appreciate it... that's kind of how I view it also... a cai/sri hybrid. Ease of maintenance of a sri, pulls air where a cai would... and look of stock.

The Cu2 is supposed to have carbon fiber, which is very cool sounding to me, which is the only reason I haven't gotten the Takeda intake.

The snorkel, that venturi stack people reference sounds kind of cool, but nowhere for the snorkel to draw air form in the cu2 really... no holes in the bumper.

I think the CT uses the stock air intake elbow, this is correct?

[audioserf]

Lack of holes in the bumper really isn't that big of a deal. There's still air down there, and it's of a lower temperature than the air in the engine bay.

The CT-E Icebox provides a replacement air intake elbow. I am not sure what the difference is; it might be of slightly larger diamater. It's a smooth rubber, rather than the grooved/rough shaping on the OE elbow -- which makes for easier cleaning.

[Jeremiah]

I understand the idea of atmospheric pressure, and there always being air there, but I have a small issue with the velocity stack/air horn/venturi stack, though it's the shape it has the idea to help speed up the speed of incoming air, the air rushes into a large box, and then into another tube... is there a smoothing air of transition after the filter?

The reason for the hole I was referencing, was a small "ram air" affect, though to get anything of value the car has to be at speed to get anything out of it.

Perhaps I am being far too demanding.

[audioserf]

It sounds like what you're looking for is a setup similar to the J's Racing intake for the CL7/CL9. It features ducting that you install within the front bumper that routs air from the front center airdam towards the fender and also includes a velocity stack-type inlet that feeds the filter box. CCColtsIceHockey has a DIY thread where he details the intake's components and shows how they get set up, it's really quite an impressive piece of work.

[a2dadamm]

if your like me and do not have fog lights it pretty much is a ram air system. The velocity stacks runs right behind the driverside fog light. I removed the cover so it's open and getting plenty of air. What I am gonna do is put the cover back on and drill some small holes in it. But either way even if you have a fog light ther is plenty of air that get's in there by no means is there an air tight seal.

[Jeremiah]

I suppose I'll hold out a bit longer for the intake then...

[a2dadamm]

Originally Posted by Jeremiah

I suppose I'll hold out a bit longer for the intake then...

y is that? it's one of the cheapest on the market and one of the best.

the only cons to the icebox and not really cons if you sont care are you wont get an ooooo aahhhhh when u open ur hood cuz u cant tell..

[i2ide]

unless you're like inkedup

[Age]

Originally Posted by a2dadamm

y is that? it's one of the cheapest on the market and one of the best.

the only cons to the icebox and not really cons if you sont care are you wont get an ooooo aahhhhh when u open ur hood cuz u cant tell..

He has a 2009 TSX and CT-Engineering does not have an icebox for the CU2.

[JoeC1982]

anybody had the icebox and either the fujita or apexi to compare them too?

[TSX_WS]

^ I know that a few people ditched Fujita CAI's for Icebox as icebox is quieter