Review R2C MaxFlow CAI
04-17-2009, 03:24 PM
#1
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R2C MaxFlow CAI
Packing
Packing was excellent, everything was sealed in a bag with copious amounts of bubble wrap provided.
Craftsmanship was great, the black chrome finish must be viewed to be appreciated, without doubt this is my favorite finish next to polished. Another thing I noticed was an earlier design had a venturi intake, this one doesn't it's just a straight tube to the filter. They machined a O-ring on the tube flange to help seal the flange to the heat shield on an earlier design however with the production design running the tube straight through the heat shield the O-ring isn't needed yet the machining still exists for one. I had thought they failed to ship it until I realize it's not needed with this design. Even the insides of the tubes were clean and joints around the MAF sensor smoothly integrate with the tube and align to put the sensor square in the middle of the tube.
Install
Install was fairly straight forward, I did it so that's pretty much proof your mom could install it, oh well maybe that's a bit too generous. The instructions consist of 21 bulleted sentences along with two pages of very small pictures which are just barely useful however two larger images clearly show the resonators that need to be removed. These resonators serve to reduce engine noise which is something most swapping out an intake would prefer so.. goodbye resonators. It's recommended that you disconnect the negative lead since you'll be disconnecting your MAF sensors so enjoy reprogramming stations and resetting your windows if you do. While not absolutely necessary, it's would be considered a best practice to avoid accidental damage via static shock and the ECU reset from that action is a good thing to do anyway. The install is very simple and the fitting perfect, just make sure you install the L shaped heatshield bracket with the L facing up to allow you to raise them high enough to seal with the hood. Becareful not to get them too high or you'll puncture the headliner...even or actually a little lower then the hood seal should do.
Sound
Sound is probably on par with other SRI's, definitely a throaty muscle growl similar to what I've heard from JWT and the like and kicks in a just above 4K. Sounds best when you floor it and fully open the throttle. It's possible a intake like the Stillen Gen 3 could produce better or at least more sound since it openings are just behind the grill and not as enclosed as R2C's and other SRIs, yet you will still hear these, no doubt.
Conclusion
Someone asks what makes this intake different from all the others. We'll for starters this is one of a few that doesn't have a major drawback associated with it.. like difficult install, degrading washer capability, cutting up your car, poor engine protection or PITA maintenance. It's also IMO the best looking intake you can buy for under $500 with full metal black chrome, polished or matte black tubes finishes available and high quality heat shields that seal with the hood. The stock vents flow directly into these 3 sided heat shields and keep the filters surrounded by cool air while moving and thus we now have a CAI without the pains required by other designs.
The main and most important difference however is the HLVV filter technology used. R2C has been designing intakes and filtration for decades and this one was designed from the filter end cap to the throttle body using the same lab protocols and testing they've used for the military. They've tested filters from every source you can imagine and nothing has been able to meet the same efficiency and load/performance characteristics as their filter. The filter IS the major intake component, not the tubes. R2C's site has information on their filter technology on the bottom left corner.. The Powerflow difference...it's worth a read. Could you just grab a set of these filters and have a comparable intake, probably so if you can get them to fit and have decent heat shielding. They do also make replacement filters for other intake systems, check the site and give them a call. While standard 12K maintenance just requires a blow out, they can be washed as well with mild detergent if they get real dirty.
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<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4217567&server=vimeo.com &show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portr ait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4217567&server=vimeo.com &show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portr ait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/4217567">R2C Intake Sound Test</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/redg37snc">RedG37SNC</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>
<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4836669&server=vimeo.com &show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portr ait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4836669&server=vimeo.com &show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portr ait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/4836669">R2C Maxxflow Intake Black chrome finish</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/redg37snc">RedG37SNC</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
Black Chrome finish
Black Chrome finish
R2C vs Stillen Gen3 - Customer run independant Dyno
Results from a Cobb AP Intake Air temp capture- notice the intakes take in ambient air while moving.
Post tune results
Last edited by RedG37SNC; 04-04-2011 at 12:41 AM.
04-17-2009, 05:13 PM
#3
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Congrats!!! I have been watching this intake and its accompanying thread, I think from day 1, but just wasn't able to commit until some people personally gave it an OK. Thanks for being one of those people. I anxiously await your review and hope it is all that you have patiently waited for. The black chrome is going to look sick whenever it comes out.
04-17-2009, 05:25 PM
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Dang! and you are the one that brought theR2C MaxFlow CAI to the Forum's attention. I would expect better attention to your product delivery. Then again, perhaps you got the "pick of the litter".
04-17-2009, 05:57 PM
#7
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Thread Starter
I should also mention the Black Chrome set will come at no additional cost so with that in mind perhaps that's why this runt was unloaded on me. Future reviews will determine if this is an issue or just a transient occurance. I'm sure they would address any issue, none the less a pain to have to deal with.
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04-17-2009, 06:47 PM
#9
^Thats what Im saying. How come these intakes are so "different" when they all look alike except Injen CAI and Stillen gen. 3? They all consist of the same material but different filters. Same MAF sensor (oem). Fujitas was the first intake to come out follow by Stillen (same characteristics NOT categorized as CAI). Now the R2C flowmaxx or wadadda looks very similar but is almost $200.00 extra and is CAI. Im not hating or anything like that is just a regular question since Im already on second pair of intakes and Im not buying anymore. lol Just for reference.
