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GearHead27's "Short Shot" Intake Review

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5.6K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  zonker  
#1 ·
Let me cut to the chase: this intake is LOUD! The "I didn't think an intake could be this loud" type loud. In fact, I always thought you needed an exhaust to get this level of volume, but this intake does it, though it doesn't work the same way. Let me explain: the throttle becomes your on/off switch. Cruising around town or going easy on the highway will get you that quiet volume, but the second you go harder than half throttle all **** breaks loose. This thing SCREAMS! It tells everyone around you that you drive a Fiat and its 100 HP of badass. The second you take your foot off the accelerator it goes back to being the cute little economy car that everyone loves. It's insane. Get back on the accelerator and the little monster comes out, filling the cabin with a boomy bass that the factory radio can only dream of. It's so brutal that it even vibrates the pedal a bit.

The installation was a breeze. It took me around 30-45 minutes mainly because I needed an 8mm socket which is the exact socket that I lost when I originally got my little set some 7 years ago (I improvised and used a 5/16 without any problems, so no worries). I had a few snags though nothing major. One was removing the metal clasp on the PCV hose. I pried a screwdriver in there and twisted for what seemed like hours, but it eventually popped off. The other problem was with the furthest bolt holding the stock airbox down; it was back far enough that it was just under the bodywork of the car. It was tricky since I couldn't get my big socket wrench in there to get a good fit. If I had a slightly smaller wrench, or ran upstairs to grab a universal joint it would have been easier, but I managed.

So I got everything off, tossed the Short Shot on and got confused. My brain told me that the pictures I saw showed it sticking straight up and down, but I had a metal brace for the coolant line in my way. I went back to the instructions and they didn't tell me to remove any other bracket, so I looked for pictures on the forums and realized that I was wrong; it sits at an angle, so I tightened things down and decided to toss the stock airbox back on with the engine cover (I remember someone saying they did just that on the forums and figured what the ****? I like the engine cover). The airbox went on without a problem, but I did have to modify the engine cover a bit, which means that I pulled a bit of foam out. No measurements or templates, just good ole yankee ingenuity. When I turned the key no CELs popped on and I didn't have any weird hesitations so I closed the hood and hopped into Jekyll and Hyde.

After my little romp, I popped the hood and took the intake out. Maybe I'm becoming old at 26, but it's just too loud for me. I wanted to add a bit more growl, something that I could hear and appreciate while driving, something that I could just about keep to myself, but this is a whole different monster. Now don't take that the wrong way. This is an awesome intake! It's very easy to install and definitely wakes the engine (and possibly a few people) up. If you want an intake that tells everyone you mean business when you mash the pedal, but becomes quiet for a midnight cruise then this is it.
 
#2 ·
I'd say that sums it up pretty well. It sort of resonates with a deep, almost brutal sound. I still have mine on. I get about 1-2mpg better with the short shot over stock, unless I let the sound get to my head and I give it more gas than I should...
 
#3 ·
Agreed. This thing should be called the Boom Kit.

It might cause me to get better gas mileage merely because I will avoid going past 1/3 throttle if I don't want noise.
 
#6 ·
Thats how I drove my Pop with it. I used the intake as an audible economy gauge :)
 
#5 ·
I also installed the K&N short shot intake and noticed some change. Every time I step on gas hard, the tachometer would go up and down, acting as if it was in sport mode. The gear shift change feels very sensitive and unstable. So I got worried if I did not installed it correctly. I did not remove the stock filter and did not disconnect the fresh air intake hose from theintake plenum. Basically, I left everything there except the intake tube and the crank case vent hoseto plenum. I didn't even have to open the engine cover. I also covered with a vinyl tape the two open holes left from removing the intake tube and vent hose from the plenum. Did I miss something wrong? I need your help. I kind of like the sound, very similar to my GTI's. Thanks.