FTRA on a daily driver....
 

I just got my FTRA (Fast Toys Ram Air) in the mail yesterday and am about to install it. Just a few questions about it though, first off anybody here have this mod installed on their daily driver? How does it stand up overall to water, heat, dust, dirt, etc. Ive read how its always a good idea to put the block off plate on during heavy rains, but how do you owners of this mod on your cars handle the heat and water situations? I dont mind replacing the air filter every 4-6 months for 5 bucks due to the dust and dirt being caught more frequently. Overall Id just like some imput on the ease of installation and operation/maintenance on the mod. Thanks

-Phil

I'm sure a lot of members have it or a similer CAI on their daily driver.


It's basically install and forget. When it comes to water most don't even use the block off plate but rather avoid driving fast though standing water. It's not going to just strait up suck water in if you drive at all carefully. I have SLP CAI (~shorter version of FTRA) and havn't had any problems, even when it rains and rains and rains and the roads don't drain at all.

I've had it for about 3 years now. Ran a little warmer in summer traffic before I changed my fan temps. Never had any water issues, I use an oiled filter and just remove the seal on the front of the air box when it's nasty out. The filter will get dirty faster just above the FTRA inlet, when mine gets dirty I just turn it around to the cleaner side until I get a chance to clean it.

I've had water issues, but only when God was angry with FL and dumped 10" of rain over a day back in April. Filter got wet, but no hydrolocking for me. I don't run it anymore though.

i had to replace a motor due to it (only because of flood waters and I forgot it was on there.. was kinda too late for me to turn out) I've still got it on this motor though.. think its a great mod

I daily drive mine and havent had any issues the KN filter is only really dirty where the opening is. I dont drive in flooded areas as it is but i havent had a rain issue. Also it comes with a block off plate too just in case. Stop light driving i get around 15.6 MPG.

Install is pretty straight forward up until you gotta cut the holes, Taking the the radiator cover isnt bad and dropping the FTRA you must go slow so you dont nick the radiator

15.6 MPG? That's not very good...

:werd: Especially with a stick.

15.6 mpg isn't exactly bad for "stoplight driving". Manual tranny doesn't help in true city driving, on the interstate is when it shines.

I dunno...I still get 18-20 around town with full exhaust and some intake work...granted, those things increased the VE of the engine, but at the same time, I'm adding a good bit more fuel to the engine these days due to the increased airflow in/out of the engine.

Thanks for all the replies...Im not too worried about the water now since I live in South Texas, more with the summer heat, even though its almost fall. Last question for southern drivers whos cars go through hot summers...any problems? Ill probably just take the lower metal part off for those hot days to save the radiator. Thanks again

-Phil

Nah...if you are concerned, install a manual fan switch or just tune it for the fans to come on earlier.

off topic a little but my old 03 altima 4cyl i had only got 14mpg so I traded it for the TA

Damn...do you autocross on your way to work?

i also get better gas mileage now than with my old 97 ford taurus. a
nd i mean a big difference. i think they have close to the same size tank, too.

I call BS on this one....

probably a dead thread, but I just read it...

Nope its true I was only getting 160 miles to a tank of GAS and 13Gal to fill

Plus it was 4 door sedan with 140wheel hp

maybe you had bad O2 sensors, and a fuel leak, and such and such.. that's pretty poor mileage.

but im sure stranger things have happened

That's weird. I get 200 miles per tank on my 2000 Z28 M6 if I drive under 2k rpms always. If I get on it a little I usually get about 150 miles per tank which is around 11 mpg. Although I have had to take it into the shop and replace lots of shit. It also bogs out at 2500 RPMs. So weird.

I go thru on a one way trip about 11 signal lights and 5 stop signs oneway. and thats not the heavy area either