Pontiac Solstice Airbox

[Joseph T.]

Anybody know what is being referred to as an airbox for the new Pontiac Solstice..as shown on the attached flier? Available Fall 2005

[Patrick H.]

Re: Pontiac Solstice Airbox

Probably has a K&N air filter, so it is bound to be villified here.

Similar systems are made for the pickup trucks, and aftermarket companies make them for the Corvette. But I'm sure no one here ever uses them given the fact they all use a K&N filter.

Patrick

[Duke W.]

Re: Pontiac Solstice Airbox

It's probably some noisy ricer inlet system with a chintzy filter.

Stick with the OE inlet system.

Duke

[Clem Z.]

Re: Pontiac Solstice Airbox

most likely one with more opening for better air flow. it may not pass the goverment intake noise specs so they sell it as after market where the rules do not apply.

[Joseph T.]

Re: Pontiac Solstice Airbox

Clem

The flier I received today from a local Pontiac dealer..is a Pontiac document and shows an air box available on the new Solstice..in Fall 2005.

I was just curious what they meant by air box. Do you read it to mean aftermarket accessory?

[Donald M.]

Re: Pontiac Solstice Airbox

Duke, nothing is more obnoxious than those ricer 4"-5" exhaust outlets on beer-can mufflers. Most of the time, the muffler is worth more than the car it's on.

[Art A.]

Re: Pontiac Solstice Airbox

Joe

Yes, I think it is referring to dealer installed accessories. It indicates, for some of the accessories listed, a GM part number which would imply GM's involvement, but not as an RPO.
I don't know what air box they are referring to either.

Art

[Duke W.]

Re: Pontiac Solstice Airbox

An "airbox" is basically an air filter housing. On modern EFI cars it is usually a plastic housing mounted remotely from the throttle body, and they usually have a cold air inlet. A duct from the airbox outlet feeds filtered air to the throttle body.

Even considering the OEM noise and water intrusion standards , most OE airboxes have very good flow and represent only a VERY, VERY minor restriction to inlet air flow.

Guys spend hundreds of dollars on aftermarket airboxes for C5 Corvettes, and if you review the anecdotal dyno test data the results are mixed, especially on the later C5 systems (like the Z06 system beginning in '02) that have a larger opening to the airbox, and some of those aftermarket systems have caused engine hydraulic lockup when they ingested water.

Most aftermarket "inlet systems" are what I call a "filter on a stick" - a chintzy K&N filter on the end of an aluminum tube that actually eliminates the OE cold air inlet - utter junk for only $150,. but ricers thing the look cool.

I would hope that anything sold OTC by Pontiac would at least meet some semblence of OE performance standards, but can't tell unless I could inspect it and compare to the OE design. Most of this aftermarket stuff is just cosmetics and much of it does not meet OE performance requirements including GM's water intrusion test.

Duke

[Joseph T.]

Re: Pontiac Solstice Airbox

Art

I saw a Solstice parked on Main Street in Ann Arbor labor day weekend and it looked great.

I suspect it will be a big hit!

The low profile headrest tailfins add an extra flair

Joe

[Art A.]

Re: Pontiac Solstice Airbox

Such a big hit that eventhough my wife wants envious colored one in the worst way there is no way that I will pay WAY over the MSRP for one. Pontiac made a deal with its dealers and the first 5 thouisand , which are all spoken for, were to sell for no more than the MSRP. But the rest are fair game and the dealers are cashin' in.

Saturn is using the same platform and is marketing the SKY. It's nice, but we like the Solstice better.

Art

Find me two buy Dec 1 and the Work order is yours!

[Joseph T.]

Re: Pontiac Solstice Airbox

Art

I talked to a dealership that has two coming and only one is spoken for..I will double check to see what the status is. If I can help I will.

Joe

[Lee S.]

Re: Pontiac Solstice Airbox

Verified with Pontiac Marketing... "Low Restiction Air Intake." Availability TBD.