This past weekend I modified my Scion XB some more. I added a new YDR short ram air intake. This allows for a larger mass of cool air to enter the engine giving it slightly more horsepower and torque. Any little bit helps with this 95+ horsepower engine. Some aftermarket intakes make the engine louder, luckily this one doesnt. It does however seem to increase the acceleration after about 2000 rpms. The intake is fairly inexpensive (about $85 compared to over 150+ for other brands). The old stock intake was a huge mass of formed plastic that just seemed very inefficent. The new intake is about a twelve inch aluminium tube with a giant K&N filter on the tip. The intake now sucks in air from behind the front left headlight where the air is slightly cooler than right next to the engine. The “how-to” tech article can be read here at scionlife.com as well as install pics.

The overview of the engine. Click to see it larger.

The new intake installed. Straight flow.

The old intake. Seems very inefficient.

Additional more minor mod of the weekend was a grounding wire install. Basically its a series of 4 different grounding wires connected in series to the frame on the left side, two different spots on the engine, the negative of the battery, and ending on the frame on the right side of the car. This is supposed to balance out the electrical system of the car, improving acceleration and possibly cleaner audio.

The next planned mods are a new header and a short shifter.