I'm ready to start modifying my ZX3 and I'm told that the air intake is a good place to start. Any suggestions on what to look for or any particular brand?

I have spent a great deal of time testing out several of these. I have tried the following on the ZTec engine: INgen COLD AIR, AEM Cold Air and Short Ram, RevTech, Focus Sport, WeaponR, K&N Air Filter Replacent. I used timed acceleration to didtance to judge each. I do not like any of the Cold air systems because all they add is noise. Most show no gains and infact the AEM Cold Air lost power everywhere but the last 1000RPM. Also this system made the car stumble at idle. I recomed the short RAM from AEM, The Revtech (Pipe and Filter) and the Focus Sport (Filter with replacement air box. I kept the AEM Short RAM on mine because I Like the K&N air filter beter than the other two. Also I show gains in several real world acceleration area with almost .15 seconds gained from 30-60 mph. Please note that Sport Compact CAR confirmed my results on the dyno for the AEM cold air. It loses close to 13ft/pds of torque in the low end and does not show any gaines until about 6000rpm (About 5hp). The also test air temperatures and the stock system ran colder or the same temperatur in all conditions. I also do not like where these cold air systems place the air filter (left fender well in front of the tire open to all sorts of debris and water).

any comments on the new Volant Cool Air Intake? <br><a href=http://www.newedgeperformance.com/volcoolairin.html target=new>http://www.newedgeperformance.com/volcoolairin.html</a><br><br>Ray<br\ >webmaster@...<br><a href=http://www.FordFocus.com target=new>http://www.FordFocus.com</a>

I have the AEM short ram air intake and it not only sounds great but I did notice a little better pick up. The first thing I did though was change the spark plug wires and I could tell from the get go that they did help. I got a set from FocusSport.com

I just purchased a KN FIPK(Fuel injection performance kit) Generation 2(replaces whole intake) from macromotive.com for 300 total. It is still sittin in my closet- waitin to buy the tornado fuel saver( tornadofuelsaver.com- 70 bucks)- and install both at same time. Pretty new product as most sites still only list the kn filter by itself. Insert lists typical product results as 2.2 hp to 4.0 hp gain at 3700 and 4700 rpm respectively. Funny thing is that macromotive.com lists results at 8-10 hp gain- pretty big discrepancy. Supposedly the focus engine is highly sensitive to factory tuning and small measurements can mean big difference in output from factory- i still believe the black ones they rev up considerably more than the white and lighter color ones(would like to hear others opinions on that). Saw the tornado insert on an infomercial- hp gain and mpg gain-put inside the air hose nearest air filter. Saw a post on carreviews.com about the first gen fipk on a 4runner- guy complained that it made a lot of noise. Hopefully he's right because the more noise the better LOL. I might scan the insert of typical(hopefully meaning my results will be non-typical LOL) result for gen2 fipk from kn and post pic here. Hopefully i get the tornado and the fipk installed soon- will post results when i do. An exhaust system i have my eye on is on modernperformance.com- the vibrant one. Thanks - finally a yahoo club i joined that doesn't involve big breasts LOL. kevin