Write-Up: Modified Air Box CAI

my work so far...
Ive cut the intake hole about 40% or so larger:


i cut a little more closer to the fender but didnt take another shot.

you can see the extra cut from the bottom view. no, ive never used a metal cutting saw until now.


and from the top - still waiting for replacement intake but thats next. like that duct tape? lol, talk about heat trap.

Cool, so you just removed the bottom half of your stock air box and kept the panel? That's a great idea!

AA wrote:

Cool, so you just removed the bottom half of your stock air box and kept the panel? That's a great idea!

i cut the box bottom to match the cut panel...surprisingly, 1st try was pretty close. about as much surface are you can get exposed on a panel filter.

awesome. Probably not measurably worse than a FWI. I say keep it.

Looks nice. Came up with a new idea that maybe someone can use that doesn't want to do a true FWI. Or can't find the right fitting pipes for.

Going a step further, you could build another box around the existing stock air box if there is room. It would act as a heat shield, the trapped air between the boxes acting as an insulator. Air is better than most solid materials at blocking heat transfer.

in the following pics, I am simply wrapping up the intake tube in reflectix. I just used zip ties. They dont look pretty, but cosmetics on the motor dont interest me....only performance. And zipties hold great even in the heat.
in the first one, I just sprayed it down with engine detailer...not for appearance as it will be covered...only to help protect it from cracking like my last one...and everything else rubber in the engine bay.

continued...

the last 2 are installed.




i may go back and secure it more, or maybe just do a true CAI in the future...but i'll be the odd man out on intakes and try my idea for now.

also got a compressor write up on the way and gauge installations for mech oil pressure and elec. fuel pressure installs.

Would be a good idea to take some IAT and MAF readings at various temps and driving speeds to compare to those of a true someone with CAI or FWI. You may have found something better here. Nice work!

AA wrote:

Would be a good idea to take some IAT and MAF readings at various temps and driving speeds to compare to those of a true someone with CAI or FWI. You may have found something better here. Nice work!

i can only scan with my inconvenient PT, and it reads in Celcius. Know how to change that? But I got an aeroforce on the way so I can get some more accurate IAT readings. But that will take a week or more to arrive according to the vendor.

I'll show you mine if you show me yours!

why don't you just post it in celsius? You could always convert it after.

Converting ºC would be better anyways so we can compare apples to apples - scanners show what the PCM sees, not sure how the aeroforce gauge works. Maybe it uses the PCM's numbers too?

AA wrote:

Converting ºC would be better anyways so we can compare apples to apples - scanners show what the PCM sees, not sure how the aeroforce gauge works. Maybe it uses the PCM's numbers too?

The aeroforce hooks up to the OBDII too. Shows the same numbers just not as many paramaters I don't think.

Cool, good to know.

i was getting mid-hi 40's C I think last time I scanned with the old cracked intake setup and no insulation.

I'm a little confused about this mod.

You cut the intake hole larger with a metal-cutting saw, I see that.

But then, do you just bolt the bottom of your stock airbox back in there, or what?

That's the confusing part. Do you have to modify the bottom part?

Buapo wrote:

I'm a little confused about this mod.

You cut the intake hole larger with a metal-cutting saw, I see that.

But then, do you just bolt the bottom of your stock airbox back in there, or what?

That's the confusing part. Do you have to modify the bottom part?

naw, the box is really just lying there. The intake tube puts enough pressure on the box to hold it in there. There is one bolt holding the box in I think.

Theres 2 bolts holding the box in. Both are different types.

SpaceBar wrote:

Theres 2 bolts holding the box in. Both are different types.

well, there was 2 holding in my box, but I kinda tore one out and didnt bother fixing/replacing it.

I am considering an Idea that I will call the Stealth FWI. I have already gutted my airbox, but now I am considering mounting a filter in the fender well and removing the one in my air box. The cone filter would be in the fenderwell, but intake would be thru the original airbox and hose thus it would look stock with the hood up... OK, you guys have more knowledge than I ... would I gain anything by doing this?

Sounds Kool If you are trying to fool people into thinking your stock

I think I will follow your lead and install a cone filter in the f/w, remove the stock air filter and keep the airbox and stock air tube in place.

You don't even have to relocate the IAT since the box remains in the car.

Where did you get the insulation wrap for the box and tube?

I am willing to bet it works as well as some of these fwi setups others have done.