WEAPON-R INTAKE- RAM AIR Review

[Vanderkitten]

In the world of multiplying options for our Yaris' (this is a GREAT THING), simple, bang for the buck mods can get overwhelming. With a growing number of options for the Cold Air Intakes (CAI) for our cars, one has to wonder: "Which one is the best?"

I have an answer to that question... right here right now: Weapon-R!

Ok, I have no evidence that it's the best. I have one and thought the service was great, they are a local company to me, and the quality is excellent. I immediately noticed a mid-range/upper end slight boost in power... but the sound is AWESOME. It sounds GREAT!! So, a slight increase in perceived power (they do provide a dyno that shows a 3-4 HP gain), a great looking unit (although some might find the large filter unappealing) and a good fit.

RAM AIR:
They offered me a RAM AIR kit for the filter, so naturally I accepted. This is not a 1972 Chevelle style Ram-Air, pressurizing and creating turbulence in the airbox (remember, that's the big, black thing you keep tripping over in the garage). The idea behind the deceptively named kit is it bring cooler (or cold) air in from the outside of the engine compartment and deliver it directly to the filter by a special and unique mounting point on the top of the filter.

The Placement:
There is a nice cavity in the front-left of the engine compartment that goes all the way down to the bumper... where you have fog-lights or plastic finishing plates instead. My first inclination was to route it directly from the filter out the hole on the bottom left of the bumper since I don't have fog lights (yet)

I unhooked the bumper fasteners and bolts, and pulled the left-side of the bumper out to access the area behind the finishing plate to remove it. I popped it out and fed the hose in the hole. I temporarily removed the CAI from the throttle body so I could easily attach the hose to the top of the CAI with a provided hose-clamp (I love how the hose-clamps say Weapon R on them! Details...)

Once in place, I stuck the provided snorkel on the intake end of the hose, did a quick secure and hit the road for a quick test. (picture this sort of set-up from the outside in: Snorkel>>1.5" of Intake Tube>>Hole in Bumper>>Air Filter)

It sort of, almost, felt faster? Definitely a little louder. It did not look complete with the large snokel hanging out of the front of the car, so I got out the dremel and trimmed it to fit in the opening better... which it did, but I still wasn't thrilled because there was a gap between the snorkel where it could no longer fit into the bumper and the hole, so you saw a inch or 2 of black hose.

In the end, I cut out the inside of the finishing plate so the tubing would fit inside of that. I trimmed the length of the hose quite a bit so i made a nice bend from the front of the bumper up to the intake filter. This also stealthified this high horsepower ;) mod. I'll take a pic tomorrow. This worked out the best, because the plastic fascia/plate holds the tube in place GREAT!!

We took the Yarii out together because we were trying to (still) figure out my Megan Racing coil overs. Mark was in my car, I was in his. Same settings, so we took to the highway... we have everything same, except I have the RAM AIR kit now. Both engines were hot, etc, full tanks of gas.

3rd gear on the freeway... mine pulled away, ever so slowly, but it definitely was faster. About a car length over a flying 1/4 mile. Not a lot faster, maybe not even significant... but something. That damn little 3" hose did something!

On the ride home (20 miles of twisties.. I LOVE Nor Cal!!) The car had a stronger feeling up the 70+mph sweepers that used to see no more than 65 the day before. (These are highly undulating roads that basically cut across the hills between Berkeley and Martinez for any bay area people).

IN CLOSING
Lot's of cold air intakes have cool names, like Japanese toasters and rice makers. Some are even "JDM". The selling point for me with the Weapon R was the price, the DYNO SHEET on the Yaris World Forum, the fit and finish. I can proudly recommend this unit.

NEXT UP:
17's to 15's for the track... shorter final drive with smaller OD tires... but will it be enough to run with the Lotus Club?

[tk-421]

Nice writeup. Would especially like to see the actual cuts that you made to the unit (if possible).

[Vanderkitten]

Originally Posted by tk-421

Nice writeup. Would especially like to see the actual cuts that you made to the unit (if possible).

Thanks!
I'll take some pics tomorrow. I forgot to bring the camera!!