Fabspeed Airbox Performance Review

Ok, I PROMISE this posting won't ramble like my installation posting! Of course I was anxious to test out this new mod to my new 2002 C2. After completing the installation and firing up the engine, I first checked to make sure that all was well in the engine bay. I closed up the "hood", and was off to my local freeway. At idle and general driving conditions, the Fabspeed airbox upgrade is a silent companion. But wait there's more! The airbox mods come into their own, mostly in 2 to 5th gears, under heavy acceleration. The first thing you notice is the WONDERFUL sound. I would describe it as a mid-range tuned "roar"...almost as if it was a note of its own. In second and third gears, over 4K rpm, the sound is glorious. More like a 993 with Motor Sound package, but unique to the water-cooled 996. The second thing you notice is the improved throttle response. This may be psychological, but I found the response to be immediate with a "ready to go" feel a tad different from the stock airbox. The improvements are most heard/felt between 4000 and 5500 rpm. IMHO, the Fabspeed MAXFLOW airbox kit for the 996 is a "must have". I can't wait to install the BMC F1 filter as well. Too bad it's on backorder from Italy! <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

My only problem with the fabspeed airbox was when I went to return my airbox back to "stock" for a autocross event. The carbonfiber ring you slide into the mass air slot had came loose and was laying on the filter! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> No telling how long I had been running with a loss of power from it getting blown around in there. I think I'll just stay with the stock unit. But the BMC air filter is gonna stay for sure! JD

It is a great mod for the buck but as someone pointed out above I would not even put the ring in since there's a possibility of it coming off and endangering your car. I left it in first time and when I did some tracking it got abit loose but luckily it didn't pop out. Also I don't think that ring does nething since with the smooth silicone hose and more air with removal of airbox muffler thats the biggest benefit of all. I didnt want to glue the thing on because if I wanted to put it back to stock it would be hell of a time to remove. Your results are pretty spot on though as I ntoice that on my '99 996. Regards. Mike.

I will watch the carbon fiber "ring" closely, and plan on checking it when I install the air filter in a few weeks. Even if the ring becomes loose from the fitting, it will NOT enter the engine as there is a steel mesh screen at the end of the airbox. I bet the ring could be glued in place and even removed in the future. There is not much mass to the ring, and could be scraped out and removed with a bit of work, if the owner wants to restore the original airbox parts.

Congrats on the mod. I'm a bit new to this having just purchased my auto. How much is the mod with installation? Is there a reputable shop in Los Angeles that you could recommend for the upgrade? Thanks in advance!

[quote]Originally posted by Sidra: <strong>Congrats on the mod. I'm a bit new to this having just purchased my auto. How much is the mod with installation? Is there a reputable shop in Los Angeles that you could recommend for the upgrade? Thanks in advance!</strong><hr></blockquote> Sidra...the mod from Fabspeed is around $350--$225 for the airbox upgrade and $125 for the BMC F1 air filter. Any competent mechanic could install this kit in probably under an hour. I posted a pretty thorough description of the installation (I am NOT a mechanic) yesterday in this list...so why not give it a try yourself?? The satisfaction level of accomplishment is high and the skill level necessary is low. Read the posting and let me know what you think.

I used 4 spots of rubber silicon to hold the ring in place. I checked it after 500 miles and it is still there. If I decide to pull it I can just peel off the silicon.

Sidra: if you know how to use a screwdriver you can do the install yourself. Seriously. My 18 yr old daughter could do the install. Don't waste your green on getting a mechanic to do it.

I think an 18 MONTH old daughter could almost handle the install. It's very very easy - even if you do it the more cost ineffective way - Fabspeed. Hopefully you won't have check engine lights like some around here have with the Fabspeed.

Hey Ben you actually know someone had check engine lites going on with the Fabspeeds? Are you talking about the airbox mod or the exhaust ro both? Regards. Mike

I've had check engine light problems after installing fabspeed intake and a powerflow intake. Had to go back to stock unit. Kept setting of the the O2 sensors.

996 mgf, Sorry to hear that but I installed it about a month ago and zero problems. Mabye you should get the sensor checked to make sure that unit is working properly. As for the airbox, I just like the sound when it is in that sweet spot 4-5.5k. For increase in perfomance I dont know but feels nice to hear a roar or some kind. I dont know you how you guys do it with the sport exhaust. I CANT HEAR YOU! WHAT

The check engine lite didn't go on for me after install of airbox intake. Sorry to hear that as well. Did you do any other mods other then the airbox prior like chipping. I heard that certain chips can make the fuel rich and with the added air intake will set the check engine lite on. It maybe just the sensor though. Regards. Mike

I didn't throw a check engine light after the airbox install either(knock on wood), however I had my MAF go bad on its own about a month before I put it in. Definitely get it checked out.