Hey folks, am about to purchase my first real mod, an intake, and was wondering which intake will give me better performance. It's down to Berk's Ram Air intake or an Injen knockoff from ebay with a new filter thrown on the end. Anyone tried both and seen any noticeable difference? I am interested in hearing your experiences!! Thanks everyone...

 

Go with BerK it is cheaper than Injen, Injen it is just a brand name like Sony. I will go with Berk

 

Actually if I get an Injen knockoff from ebay it would be like $65 and another filter wouldn't cost me more than $45 I'm guessing so would be about the same price as a Berk.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEBWA%3AIT

 

that injen knock off on ebay msut be puttin injen out of business....
-J

 

I bought the Injen knockoff recently, doesnt have any instructions but it was pretty obviously easy to install, took me about 1 hour. It works great for me, gotta love the growl!!

 

get the Berk, quality is second to none and you will feel the performance gain (and hear it)

 

best intake?

do you mean best performance? or best apperance?
cause performance wise, they all do the same thing - increase air getting to the throttle body by unrestricting the flow of air.
people buy injen for the name and because "it looks cool" and its "nice and shiny"

my opinion? GAB (cheap and does the EXACT same thing) see my webpage

 

Doesn't the Berk add more performance in the mid-range while the Injen offers more performance in the lower RPM's? So it would depend on what you are looking for.

 

i chose the Injen Knockoff,

looks great and costs what the Injen should cost

 

for best performance? stock or GAB.

 

Injen type (or knockoff) will give you better low end power because of the longer runner length before the throtle body. The Berk is short, so it losses more low end, but makes up on the high end.

 

i would go with the injen. The Berk is placed in a really hot place in the engine bay and looses a lot of performence especailly in the low-end torque. When its above 80+ and you drive with a couple of people, the auto 01 doesnt move for ****. I am gonna go to stock soon because the low end is much more nicer to have.

 

I'd suggest the Injen is placed in an even hotter portion of the engine bay, notably nearby the front bank's exhaust manifold, not to mention in close proximity with the radiator...

 

True, but the injen filter draws air from near the splash-shield which is cooler air but will warm up as it travels thru the runner that is close to the exhaust as you mentioned. But the Berk it not in a much better position either as warm air rises towards top of the engine bay and really stays there, where the berk is. Bottom line they are both going to warm up....but I take the Injen like setup.

 

I was impressed at first with the injen RD series not so cai but after having it on there for a couple of weeks I've noticed that in normal driving this set up is sucking lots of hot air and I believe it's causing some additional pinging. I like the craftsmanship but I think they could've chose a better placement of the filter. A couple inches from the radiator is not cool & the Exh manifold on the other side? On warm days my car feels slower than with the stock airbox. I am going to try to jimmy up something to get fresh cold air to the filter. I am sure this will make a big difference. If it doesn't work I will go back to stock. Anyone ever notice how hot the the intake piping gets? I am sure the braket is probably transfering some heat because of where it's mounted. The heat can't be good for the maf. Does anyone run the optional $55 chrome heat shield? If so what are your experiences? Thanks in advance.

Dave
02 Maxima SE
85 El Camino w/Turbo V6 swap

 

I have had the $tealin WAI, to AEM to INJEN then to Berk Technology. Out of all of them, Berk is the best. I feel the most response, can squeal my tires all the way through third and the Apexi filter is awesome and maintenance friendly. I went from INJEN to Berk and I have found my Last intake. Also, You can get 2 different versions of Berk. I chose version 2 W/3 couplers Apexi filter and mid-pipe. I ordered another MAF adapter for 20 bucks, and berk sent me a stabalization bracket so I can have a Frankencar setup for free.

Since I have went from intake to intake I can say IMO that Berk is the best bang for the buck. That's just My .02 cents.

 

I haven't noticed any low end torque loss, but I kind of avoid it by revving to 3 rpm before I release the clutch, once my wheels are spinning, i got all the torque I need.

Besides, my 2000 idles are about 1k rpm, I have my best torque at about 3.5, my first gear gets me to 4k in no time, then shift at 6, and second is at 3.5 and so on, so any low end loss isn't noticed.

Don

 

Overall, I am very happy with the increases I've received by adding the Berk Intake.
I also, have not felt any loss throughout any area of the rpm range.
I have not tried any other intake setups on my 2K2, but have heard many positive responses to the Berk.

 

I cant believe after all the threads on this forum, you guys still havent realized the Injen, or this knockoff are NOT CAI's and that the location of the Injen Filter is insane ! You dont put a filter , that close to the radiator, because , boys and girls, as we all know, radiators are HOT. If you really want a CAI , Place racing, and Cattman make one for you. I will stick with my Berk/ JWT combo......

 

Dont make such a big deal out of the injen filter close to the radiator. If you look at turbo/superchargded setups you will find that those with intercooler (which is suppose to cool the air) have it placed right next to the radiator!!. I think some cars, even the max maybe, have coolant that runs thru throtle body to keep it cool.
The radiator is most likely one of the coolest parts of the engine compoentns runnning at 200-220 degrees while most other engine components run way hotter. I agree thou that Injen or others like are not true cold air, in order to get real ambient temp air to motor you need some type of RAM air setup.

 

The coolant lines running through the throttle body are supposed to warm the throttle body for emissions & a smoother idle. After your car is at normal opperating temp it's pretty much useless except for increasing the temp of the incoming air. In the Turbo Buick community we simply bypass the throttle body coolant lines as turbo cars generate enough heat as it is. I know the LT1 & LS1 guys do the same thing. On a stock Grand National or T-type the intercooler is directly behind the radiator but a shroud blocks all hot air from coming in contact with the intercooler and scoops cool from under the radiator. On my Girlfriend's MX6 GT Turbo the dinky wad intercooler is in front of the radiator as well as the the Thunderbird SC's.

Dave
02 Maxima SE
85 El Camino w/Turbo V6 turbo swap

 

i just picked up one of the injen knock-offs from ebay...crossing my fingers it works ok!

 

it will work GREAT, injens work absolutely awesome in our cars and produce fantastic sound to boot!!!