What exactly is this thing?

[Barbbachello]

I've been wondering what exactly this thing is. Is it some kind of CAI or what?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/10/tQGKc-1.jpg

[mlitz]

that is part of your intake.

[Dead91silvia]

It sucks cold air into the snorkus thats in the fender... You can get rid of it if you want, but then you wont be getting the colder air, unless you eliminate the snorkus.

[hansvonaxion]

I'd say you're actually drawing cooler air without it, drawing air from in the fender is better than from the engine bay (if you can protect the snorkus intake in the fender from dust and mud and water).

That intake points down, right behind the headlight (my HID's create a fair amount of heat) and when the thermo fans kick in you get a lot of hot air blowing right into it, but then I have a TT, the whole engine bay gets bloody hot, little different for the NA guys. The next generation they changed it to a slit to get cold air from between the hood and headlight, a better option.

[Barbbachello]

I had a feeling that was the case. Ive never seen that on any other car. Guess that's why subaru are better ;)

[Zangado1]

My 1995 BK has the same piece and it really seems to be worthless,im glad someone else sees the worthlessness in that piece of plastic too lol.....

[Wiscon_Mark]

I'd say you're actually drawing cooler air without it, drawing air from in the fender is better than from the engine bay (if you can protect the snorkus intake in the fender from dust and mud and water).

You aren't drawing air from the fender without it though - unless you remove the snorkus in the fender.

[harrymaneuvers]

^This.

If you are going to remove the piece circled in Red... you might as well remove your snorkus and get one of these (taken from another SL-i member) for the hole. That way the bottom of your airbox (with the filter in it) is pulling air directly from the fender. Be VERY careful about driving through deep puddles, mud or snow as your air filter element will be exposed to anything that splashes up into your fender area. Nothing worse than a soggy air filter.

46059FA000
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/03/fender_plug02-1.jpg

[hansvonaxion]

I'd say you're actually drawing cooler air without it, drawing air from in the fender is better than from the engine bay (if you can protect the snorkus intake in the fender from dust and mud and water).

You aren't drawing air from the fender without it though - unless you remove the snorkus in the fender.

You're right, I meant either remove the snorkus, replace it or modify it but I wasn't clear.

Although I don't really see how that particular piece does anything positive, the air is not going to be significantly cooler 6 inches across, plus it forces it to turn 2 corners (not that it matters with the path it has to take through the snorkus). You could modify that piece to draw air from a hole in the bumper (say, where the foglight is) but probably won't see any noticeable gain.

I've never seen anyone post proven gains from modifying the intake and the most well-respected Legacy tuner in the UK recommends leaving it stock and says it's good for about 400hp so I'm leaving mine as-is.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I've never seen anyone post proven gains from modifying the intake and the most well-respected Legacy tuner in the UK recommends leaving it stock and says it's good for about 400hp so I'm leaving mine as-is.

Yup, completely agree.

[Huffer]

^This.

If you are going to remove the piece circled in Red... you might as well remove your snorkus and get one of these (taken from another SL-i member) for the hole. That way the bottom of your airbox (with the filter in it) is pulling air directly from the fender. Be VERY careful about driving through deep puddles, mud or snow as your air filter element will be exposed to anything that splashes up into your fender area. Nothing worse than a soggy air filter.

46059FA000
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2006/03/fender_plug02-1.jpg

I have one of these for sale... cheap as chips too!