Skunk2 Intake Manifold REVIEW - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

CapnToll · 08-01-2006, 07:28 PM

Just installed the Skunk2 I/M with Hondata gasket on my B18B with the help of a shop.

The install:
Everything bolted up fine, but needed longer studs, had some on hand in the shop, so that was fine. Needed to weld shut a couple un-needed holes, and needed some longer connections here and there...the throttle body cable I think needed fabrication. All in all, could do it for a 4 hour labour charge if you just gave it to a shop. Took us a leisurely 4.

Results:
With my mods in my sig from before, the sound changed a bit to a more raw all motor sound. It screams performance. Before it was a low deep gnarly growl, which I loved, but this is really cool too.

Not a TON of loss on the low end. You don't notice unless you try to give it some in 3rd gear right after a 'usual speed' 2nd gear shift. A bit sluggish until you get to at least 5k in 3rd. No change in 1st gear performance.

2nd Gear performance is verrrry noticeable. I got an instant smile on my face after 2nd gear passed 4,000 rpm. It blew me away how much the I/M helped. A very smooth transition into more power.
Also, the engine sounds MUCH happier when its close to redline. Before I was hesitant to take it to just before redline because of the sound she made. Now it sounds beautiful.

Summary:

Butt dyno.....way more noticeable power than a CAI, or a Header on their own.
I'll use the Gtech to see if I can manage faster runs.

viet_83 · 08-01-2006, 10:21 PM

nice review. i have a question for u. how do u determine the right longer studs for ur intake manifold? did u get it at hardware ace or something?

CapnToll · 08-02-2006, 06:16 AM

The owner of the shop that was working on it with me, has done the same install before with the thicker Hondata gasket and he had the studs he used before lying around. Stock studs were long enough but, barely...and the load they would take was in Shear, so they could have cracked off.

The I/M itself was thicker at the attaching point, plus the gasket = need for longer studs. Also, while I was on lunch, he had to fabricate some some sort of bracket underneath everything because the stock one didn't suffice. I'll post some pictures later...

G2IntegraGS-R · 08-02-2006, 06:34 AM

Nice review. You know they have a review section, make sure you post this there too. You seriously need some new supsension unless you like riding high. Also, I see in your sig you have a cat-back and a magnaflow muffler. Did you just change the muffler that came ith the cat-back or do you have two engines in your car?

CapnToll · 08-02-2006, 10:23 AM

Lol, yes I know I need a bit of a lowering....my car does look like a monster truck with those 17s.
And I swapped out the Brullen muffler for the magnaflow. It made it sound intense, maybe a bit more power.
Posted in the review section too.

Maybe Ill swap in some Crower Stage II cams to really see the benefits of the I/M, but Ill probably hold off for some boost instead.

flyingtoaster · 08-02-2006, 12:38 PM

It would suck for someone who doesn't have hookups at a shop. I'll get an IM that comes with everything that's needed and that doesn't require any fabrication.

CapnToll · 08-02-2006, 12:54 PM

Yea, I've heard the Edelbrock Victor X Manifold bolts up with little to no problems at all. However, on average the gains on the Victor X are usually at higher RPMs than the Skunk2.
Also on avg, Skunk is meant for NA, Victor X for boosted applications.

echelon · 10-08-2006, 10:45 PM

Any Gtech results with the new intake manifold? I'm sure the gasket helped out a lot in power. Good review!

CapnToll · 10-09-2006, 12:17 AM

Well w/ full tank of gas, and assuming a good second of shifting (need 3 gears to get to 60mph) I pulled off 8.04 seconds before the manifold. So it felt like a car that would do low 7s...which with its mods before should be close to doing...and I did beat my buddy in his PT Criuser Turbo Auto which is rated at 7.2

With the intake in, I haven't tested w/ Gtech, but now I can just keep up with my friend's Cruiser until 60mph which now has Stage 1 upgrade, and is a low 14 second car. So I would hope I could get low to mid 7s with shifting.

I'm getting crower stage II cams soon, and with the Manifold, I should get a good 20-25% more power than you would get from the cams without this manifold. So this Skunk2 is great especially if you have future plans. But again, it will need custom fab if you go with a thick gasket like I did.

krzintegraboi · 10-09-2006, 09:22 AM

you really should take it to the track so you can know..and i would like to know also ..great mod by the way..if you are coming out of a corner do you feel a power loss ??

CapnToll · 10-09-2006, 02:01 PM

Well, most say you will see a loss in low end...and they might be right, but I've had it in for a few months now, and I could not tell you if it is any slower than before bottom end. That said, if there is any loss, you really really can't feel it. low rpms 2nd gear is slightly sluggish, but no more than before. 1st gear is great power right from a stop.

However, I really lucked out in the combination of makes of parts I have. They are producing a power gain that is a lot more than you would see from the same kinds of parts slapped together, but a different combo of makes.

I've raced some Integras with I/E/H on the highway when I was first learning to drive stick, and even with terrible shifting I managed to easily pull away.