5th Generation Intakes

SHORT RAM INTAKES

• These are probably the most common type of intake. They usually consist of a short pipe that may or may not have bends in it with a cone or pod shaped filter on the end.
• The cone filter is able to ingest more air with less restriction due to its ability to ingest air from all sides.
• There is one application-specific intake for the 5th generation Celica, it is made by WeaponR. The pipe basically looks like an "L". Cost should be around $150, with filter included. If you go this route, I recommend that you get a different filter because the foam one that WeaponR uses tends to break down quickly and can be sucked into the engine.
• Another option is to get an intake pipe for a Honda Civic (96-up) and buy a universal cone filter, by K&N or many other brands. THe pipe basically looks like an "L" with the angle between the pieces being greater than 90 degrees. This is usually a more cost effective option (many companies make intakes for Civics).
• Another option is to get an intake pipe for a Mitsubishi Mirage with the 1.5L engine, and a universal cone filter. The pipe basically looks like an "S", with the filter ending up where the stock airbox is.

COLD AIR INTAKES

• Cold air intakes are like a short ram intake, but the pipe extends down to the bottom of the engine compartment or under the car, in an attempt to get the engine colder air.
• Colder air is denser, and contains more oxygen, so it is more efficient for combustion (efficiency =power, in this case).
• With some cold air intakes, you will need to worry about hydrolock, or sucking water into your engine. This can be avoided through the use of AEM's bypass valve, installing a breather filter, or treating puddles like the devil whenever it rains.
• There was only one commercially available cold air intake for the 5th generation Celica, and it was made by Iceman. It is no longer in production, and you will need to find one used if that's the route you would like to go.
• You could also build a custom intake yourself. Henry Vo made his own out of PVC piping, and seems to be happy with it. I would like to see someone get a pipe mandrel bent at a muffler shop, but I don't believe anyone has done this yet.