Project Gamma Silicone Intake System for McLaren 540C / 570S / 570GT / 600LT

Project Gamma Silicone Intake System

For McLaren 540C / 570S / 570GT / 600LT

Why Replace the Factory Intake

The factory McLaren airbox is completely sealed. Its only air source is a long duct running from the side scoop, back through the car, into the box, through the filter, and on to the turbo inlets. At speed, that works well — the scoop is pressurized and feeding cool outside air.

At a standstill, it doesn't. With no ram-air effect at the scoop, the engine has to pull its entire air demand through that whole duct run under vacuum alone. That creates a pressure drop before the compressor inlet, which means less dense air and turbos working harder for the same result. You feel it as lazy response off the line.

There is a second problem, and it's one you can verify on your own car. The foam inside the factory airbox degrades as these cars age. It breaks apart, and the debris ends up sitting against the filter element — adding restriction and compromising filtration. The Project Gamma system replaces that component entirely.

This intake was built to solve both: remove the low-speed restriction, and eliminate a factory part with a known service life. The result is faster spool, sharper throttle response, and significantly stronger acceleration from a standing start.

Why the Intake Boxes Have Additional Openings

The small supplemental openings in the Project Gamma intake-box tops are intentional, and they are not designed to replace the factory cold-air ducts.

They give the airbox a short, low-restriction path during the exact window when the factory ducts can't supply enough flow — from a standstill and at very low speeds. This is most noticeable during:

• Acceleration from a standstill
• Low-speed throttle input
• City driving
• Rolling acceleration
• Acceleration without launch control

Once vehicle speed increases, the factory side ducts pressurize the airbox and become the primary air source by a wide margin. With the box no longer under negative pressure, there is nothing drawing air in through the supplemental openings — the engine is fed cold ducted air from the side scoops, exactly as the factory intended. The openings stop contributing meaningful flow at that point.

It is a deliberate trade: a small intake-temperature penalty at low speed in exchange for removing a much larger restriction penalty at low speed. Describing the system simply as a "hot-air intake" does not accurately represent how it functions.

Faster Turbo Response & More Sound

Reducing inlet restriction helps improve:

• Turbo spool
• Low-RPM response
• Throttle response
• Acceleration from a dig
• Boost delivery

The redesigned intake boxes and silicone tubes also make the McLaren's turbo system significantly more audible. Turbo spool, compressor airflow, blow-off sounds, and induction noise become much more noticeable — up to approximately 10x louder than stock depending on vehicle setup and driving conditions.

Performance Construction

Built from 4-layer reinforced silicone with an oil-resistant inner lining and precision aluminum connectors, designed to withstand high temperatures, boost pressure, and repeated performance driving.

• 4-ply reinforced silicone
• Oil-resistant inner lining
• Precision aluminum connectors
• Smooth internal airflow path
• High-temperature resistance
• Designed to resist deformation under high airflow demand
• Compatible with stock, tuned, and upgraded-turbo vehicles
• Suitable for repeated high-load use

Unlike rigid or restrictive intake layouts, the silicone construction helps maintain a smooth internal diameter through tight engine-bay bends.

Real-World Tested

This system was developed and tested directly on the vehicle. Performance characteristics such as turbo spool, boost response, intake-air temperature, throttle response, and airflow behavior can all be measured and logged.

Project Gamma continues to evaluate its products through real-world testing, performance logging, and dyno testing.

For IAT data, boost/spool logs, dyno results, testing information, or technical questions, contact addison@sl-autowerkes.com.

What You Gain

• Faster turbo spool at low speeds
• Reduced intake restriction
• Sharper throttle response
• Improved low-RPM acceleration
• Replaces the degrading factory airbox foam
• Increased airflow potential
• Dramatically louder turbo and induction sound
• Factory cold-air airflow retained at cruising and higher speeds
• Reinforced construction for tuned applications
• Improved engine-bay appearance
• Direct-fit installation
• No permanent vehicle modification required

Installation

The system is direct-fit and DIY-friendly with no cutting, drilling, welding, or permanent modifications required.

All necessary installation hardware is included.

Installation time depends on experience and available tools. A professional installer may complete the job relatively quickly, while a home-garage installation may take longer.

The vehicle can be returned to the factory intake configuration if desired.

Fitment

• McLaren 540C
• McLaren 570S
• McLaren 570GT
• McLaren 600LT
• McLaren 600LT Spider

If you are unsure about fitment, contact Project Gamma with your VIN and model year before ordering.

Color Options

Available in Black, Blue, Silver, Red, Purple, and Yellow, along with custom and limited-edition finishes.

addison@sl-autowerkes.com

More from Project Gamma: Project Gamma BMW S58 Silicon Front Mount Intakes with Filters - F97 X3M / F98 X4M and BMW M3 / M4 / M2 S58 Silicone Intakes & Filters – G80 G82 G83 G87.