Mishimoto Intake Flow Test

Background:

The Mishimoto intake for the Mk7 was provided to me by Mishimoto to conduct a flow bench airflow test and to compare results with other intake systems for the Mk7 GTI.

Previously the Mishimoto turbo inlet pipe was tested.

Mishimoto Intake Flow Test
Mishimoto Intake Flow Test

Test Setup:

Prior to testing the Mishimoto intake, the PTS flow bench is operated with a calibration plate to confirm the readings are accurate.

The Mishimoto air intake is assembled and attached to the flow bench using adapters that simulate a stock IHI turbo, a hybrid turbo, and a third adapter that does away with the turbo inlet elbow altogether.

The Mishimoto turbo inlet elbow is sized for optimal use with a stock IHI-size compressor housing. The stock turbo adapter is used with the Mishimoto turbo inlet elbow.

Mishimoto Intake Flow Test
Mishimoto Intake Flow Test

Setup two:

An MST hybrid-sized turbo inlet elbow is used for testing the intake with the hybrid turbo adapter. The supplied silicone reducer coupler is replaced with a straight coupler to join the 3″ pipe on the Mishimoto intake with the 3″ opening of the MST turbo inlet elbow.

Mishimoto Intake Flow Test
Mishimoto Intake Flow Test

Third setup:

The turbo inlet elbow is then removed and the intake is attached directly to the bench.

This configuration is measured using the supplied Mishimoto silicone reducer (shown below) and also a 3″ straight silicone coupler.

Mishimoto Intake Flow Test
Mishimoto Intake Flow Test

Test Results:

When the Mishimoto intake is attached to the Mishimoto turbo inlet elbow and a stock turbo size adapter the flow rate is: 390 CFM @ 28″ of H2O.

Mishimoto Intake Flow Test - IHI Adapter
Mishimoto Intake Flow Test – IHI Adapter

When the Mishimoto intake is joined with the MST turbo inlet elbow and the hybrid size adapter the flow rate is 491 CFM @ 28″ of H2O.

Mishimoto Intake Flow Test - Hybrid Adapter
Mishimoto Intake Flow Test – Hybrid Adapter

With the turbo inlet elbow removed and the silicone reducer attached to the flow bench adapter, the flow rate is 367 CFM @ 10″ of H2O.

Replacing the silicone reducer with a straight silicone coupler results in an airflow increase to 435 CFM @ 10″ of H2O.

Mishimoto Intake Flow Test - Direct
Mishimoto Intake Flow Test – Direct

Conclusions:

The Mishimoto intake for the Mk7 was the subject of a flow test using two different inlet elbows and two test runs with no turbo inlet elbow and different size silicone couplers.

The full Mishimoto intake into an IHI-sized adapter flows approximately 97% of the maximum flow rate that has been measured with the stock turbo adapter.

The Mishimoto intake with MST inlet elbow into a hybrid-sized adapter flows 95% of the maximum flow rate that has been measured with this adapter.

Attached directly to the flow bench using a silicone reducer to a stock-size turbo inlet elbow, the most common configuration I have tested, the Mishimoto flows 99% of the maximum flow rate that has been measured.

References:

Mishimoto intake product page