Well-known Lightning racer Jim D'Amore (JDM Engineering) goes with the simple but effective route for getting copious amounts of cool air into the hungry, supercharged Four-Valve mill. A massive, open-ended K&N filter is supplied with an adapter plate to the mass air meter. Affordability and efficiency come to mind with this system, and the bottom line is that it works. JDM sells its kit for $125.
Of those in attendance at the test, the Paul's High Performance cold-air kit ($329) received high marks not only for its engineering, but also-and especially-for its good looks. In addition, it is the most complete kit tested, and it included a custom mass air adapter with stock-location mounting point, a huge K&N filter, a K&N pre-filter, and that gorgeous stainless steel shield. It is the most expensive kit tested, but this thing has it all. As for performance, we were a little surprised that it was down against the other kits on the stock cars, but we believe this system's strength is on modified cars such as the ones Paul Svinicki typically builds for his customers. There is little doubt this kit has been tested on the dyno, track, and the street for the best manners in each environment.
UPR has learned that stuffing a big air filter into the passenger-side fender gets cool air into the engine for good, solid horsepower gains. We really liked the UPR Big Mouth air filter. It provides an additional panel of air intake at the end of the conical structure where, with most conical air filters, the incoming air is met by a solid disk of rubber or chrome. Mark Mainiero says they have seen horsepower differences on the dyno with their open-ended Big Mouth air filter, and that is why it's in the UPR kit. The powdercoated metal tubing runs through a metal plate to seal the air filter in the fender in a vertical position. The kit ($184.95) was complete and easy to install. Perhaps the best part of this cold-air kit is that it's an integral part of the UPR 11-second package for the '03 Cobra that sells for a mouth-watering $1,199!
If there was a favorite amongst the crowd of folks involved with this test, it was the Johnny Lightning kit ($164.99). It may have been the odd look of the deal, or the fact that you know someone assembled this thing from the heart. It quickly got nicknames, including "The Grill," "Mailbox," and "Cheese Grater." Tease all you want, nonbelievers-this sucker works. Johnny had cautioned us that his kit was designed for the racetrack, and that it didn't make any power unless the car was under motion. In fact, he promised us two to four tenths in the quarter no matter what Cobra we bolted it to. The numbers were promising, but we'd like to see the new design in which Johnny created a mounting point for this baby. Our prototype was free to move around in the engine compartment-not good for a 10-pound metal box. And, we understand Johnny has already added a second ram air hose from the driver-side foglight hole to get even more air in the motor. With the numbers we saw here and Johnny's continued testing, this is one system you don't want to ignore.
John De Molet began messing around with 5.0 Mustang cold-air intakes a few years ago. His work has blossomed into a thriving business that specializes in systems that isolate a big conical air filter in the fender via a huge conduit of PVC tubing. The '03 Cobra system ($150) is finished off with carbon-fiber components, which John admits ironically resemble serpent skin. The advantage, according to the product designer, is that the ambient air picked up in the fender will pass through a network of tubing that will stay cool, unlike its metal competitors. Also, with the 6-inch filter, you can position the fender tube in the "up" position-that is, aimed toward the headlight. With the 9-inch K&N filter, you are limited to just the "down" position-aimed toward the ground. A special note: We actually tested the two air filters for Densecharger in this intake shootout, so it is likely that John will be offering only one with the standard kit-the one that delivers the most power and performance. You've probably already looked at the box score on this one. The Densecharger flat-out cooks on a stock '03 Cobra and really held its own on the modified cars. It's a complete kit with everything you think you need, along with many other nice little touches that few would think of if they were to design one of these kits. The kit is affordable and installation is manageable.
2003_SVT_Cobra_Intake_Comparison.xls