I'm very interested on this one as well - I'm not a fan of the aesthetics of having those resonators there - I get Toyota knew what they were doing, but being a fan of engine noise vs. exhaust noise, I'd love to see what a stainless intake would do to the sound the engine makes. Was thinking of getting one custom fabbed, deleting only the resonators.

The only reason I say this is my best mate has a 2005 liberty, similar thing replaced the stock intake pipe w/2 resonators with an aluminium pipe, and the engine went from sounding like a sewing machine to something respectable... not that 3sge's sound like sewing machines mind you ;) I'm just amazed that there is very little information on this, and I can't seem to find any decent aftermarket solutions.

Hi Boof.
 
I have since removed the small bulbous resonator and the medium trapezoidal one. There is barely any sound difference, but maybe it is a tinier bit more raspy. I kept the OEM intake hose and taped over the holes very securely. I haven't yet ventured to take off the large chamber. But will remove it soon.  I am just experimenting at the moment too see what differences occur.
 
I figure that the small resonator traps higher pitch frequencies as longer sound waves wouldn't be able to enter it. The same reasoning says the other two resonators trap middle and long sound waves.
 
I am yet to dismantle the whole system to see the design of the large chamber,but it enters the air filter box before the filter panel. I am wondering if the cold air intake hose goes into the large chamber to smooth airflow before it enters the airbox.
 
From what I can tell so far by inspecting the design of the system I don't think there is any real airflow restriction. It is pretty much all straight lines. The only change in air flow direction occurs in the air box and it is so large in comparison to the tube going in and out that it could almost be considered a straight through design.
 
So, I am considering installing a K&N panel filter just to see for myself the effect. I have found one on Amazon.com for about US$40. This is cheap enough that I don't care if it does nothing and I remove it.
 
I am interested in your custom steel intake tube idea. Let me know if you end up doing it and how it works out. I do wonder how you will design it to take the emission control tube again.
 
Cheers
 
Dwaine

In my experience the resonators barely make a sound difference, it is the massive final resonator closest to the air vent also known as the baffle (which can act as an air reserve supposedly for low down torque) that makes the biggest change in sound if you remove it. And it sounds bloody brilliant removed! The stock baffle is also a stock cold air feed of some sort but kills the sound :( .What you can do (cheap and efficient) is keep the stock airbox, remove the massive resonator/baffle and attach a flex hose from airbox to the air vent + bell mouth. Problem is there's barely any room down there however reddtarga has done something very similar.
 
Exhaust noise is not really that great on any I4, it is the intake noise that makes the music imo. And strange that I never thought about it but stainless steel might actually make some difference (better sound) as evident from Boof's mate.
 
If you do a small search there should be a couple epic threads on modifying the intake (few pages long) going into good detail.
 
There's barely any aftermarket solution cos mid engine design is not very common as we know and front engines are much easier to work on. Best bet is custom my friend :/ (but the benefits outweigh cons in owning an MR2 )

If you want to see what a pod sounds like check out this vid, its an apexi pod and the exhaust system in standard.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-TKcWWBZ0g
 
And check out this guide on how to install an induction kit, its a great guide with pics of every step and he uses a stainless pipe like Boof is thinking. He does retain part of the stock system but you can choose to exchange that piece with hose as he explains.
 
http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2-knowledge-base/mr2-mk2.html?kbartid=158
 
I used this guide as a reference when I installed mine and it made things a lot easier!

I've made the switch to Toyota after owning 2 Nissan Silvias... and consequently the community that goes along with it. I won't lie, there's a pretty big smile on my face seeing just how civil and informative those answers are, and that's only my first post! I completely get the arguement for intake noise vs. exhaust noise... Old mate who owns the Liberty also has an original Levin Hachi with a 4age powered by a Motec, and when that thing comes on song it's absolute porn for the ear holes. I figure in this case with the engine being right behind me, and the exhaust behind it, and the sound that the 3sge makes about 5 grand, it is certainly something that needs to be accenuated - for no-one else's benefit except my own :D
 
Dwaine - rad how methodically you've looked at this. I know Toyota worked with Yamaha on their intake designs, hence why it's probably so detrimental to look at removing the resonators. What I don't understand though is if it's effectively a straight piece of pipe, how removing the resonators and replacing it with a straight section of pipe wouldn't do the same job. Surely the resonators would disturb the air coming in... I don't know, I'm just spitballing here. In regards to the emission tube though, was thinking of just getting a nipple welded onto the pipe - all it needs to be is something for that hose to attach to.
 
You're not wrong Tree... haven't even owned my MR2 for a month and I've already figured out just how hard it is to source some parts... especially given how easy Nissan's were... but I think in this case that's certainly what makes it so much more worthwhile :) Plus just the balance it offers... Bliss!
 
Steve_A, nice find on that write-up. The previous owner for me had already installed a pod filter, so one can only assume he's removed the large chamber as well... but I think that might be my project this weekend, just checking what I'm actually working with. I am a big fan of running hosing from the inlet up to the intake though, will certainly look into that.
 
I think based on all of this, I need to cost up a stainless intake pipe - even if it's just for sh*ts and giggles!!

With regards to the collaboration between Yamaha and Toyota, Yamaha designed the intake and resonators for the T-VIS system on AW11's. The article posted further up by Dwaine and the experience of Wiso relate to AW-11's which makes sense given that the intake was specially designed by Yamaha.
 
This is not the case with the 3S-GE, and as Boof has pointed out it is a fairly straight through design. Anecdotal reports for installing pod filters on 3S-GE's are mostly positive in contrast to AW-11's which are more negative.

Hehe I used to lurk on the Silvia forums back when I was looking for my first car a few years back (wanted a cheap RWD like every other kid...). Glad I decided on an MR2. Clean S13s were hard to find. I even felt like I matured when deciding go for the MR2. Now comparing a Silvia with an MR2 is like comparing a angsty teen vs a gentleman lol. Don't take it the wrong way I still like them esp the S15 (sexy!) but they're relatively common compared to MR2s.
 
This guy goes thru some details about why the resonators should be kept
http://planetsoarer.com/resonator/resonator.html

Each car has its place - unfortunately with the media targeting imports, Silvias (at least here on the Gold Coast) are something you cannot drive anywhere without fear of being absolutely butt-raped, kind of why I got rid of mine. I originally got an s15, and it was absolutely beautiful - was well known as being one of the cleanest around, but even that had it's fair share of attention (legal as possible too!). When I wrote it off I ended up with an s13, and man that thing was a pig... I didn't drive it at all thanks to the stigma that was attached to them - hence why I got rid of it and ended up with the (as you said so well) gentleman I have today.


That is an unreal article - does a really good job at explaining the role that resonators have. Certainly learnt something from that, and it almost makes me want to stay with the stock intake. I think though I do have to still give a stainless intake a shot just to hear what kind of difference it makes. I think the ideal solution would be to have a stainless intake that kept the resonators, although I honestly don't know how you'd even implement something like that. Just a shame they're such ugly components in an engine bay =\

Intake design can be a lot more complicated than it initially seems. Because of the way the engine draws in air in short bursts, there's a bunch of pressure waves going back and forth. This is what causes the induction noise, but it also has a big impact on power. If the pressure waves are moving in the right direction when the valves open, it forces more air in the cylinder and you get more power. The opposite is also true. So those baffles don't just reduce noise, they will impact power to some extent.
I've seen dyno tests, where all they changed was the length of straight pipe in the intake, and it had a significant impact on the torque curve.

Yeh forgot to mention Skylines and Silvias unfortunately get quite a bit of cop attention as you said whereas I've never been pulled over in the MR2 since I got it just like many people here.
 
My mate's first SW20 he spent around $1800 on intake and exhaust full custom fabrications and that thing sounded so angry! Even when a bit of throttle was applied to get the car moving and playing around with the clutch you can hear the I4 induction very clearly.
Def give the stainless steel a shot. That link posted by Steve A is a really good start. Making the ENTIRE intake straight from the throttle body stainless steel might not be such a good idea since the vibrations may loosen the connections. At least have some rubber bits especially between the throttle body and intake hose. Maybe you can give the intake hose to a fabricator to make an identical one in steel. It will prob not be cheap but that's all part of MR2 ownership...
 
The S15 is indeed the epitome of affordable sports car. The looks, mods, ease of ownership etc it's got everything! I like the GT86 but I'd choose an S15 given the choice in a heartbeat!