Write-Up: Gutting the Stock Air Box

Yes, you'll hear more noise now with the plastic pieces removed. Your intake will be noisier, especially on start-up.

ok because i expected more noise at WOT and definitely noticed it, but didnt know about idle.

thanks.

AA wrote:

Yes, you'll hear more noise now with the plastic pieces removed. Your intake will be noisier, especially on start-up.

During the first couple of minutes after a cold start my 95PA seems to make more noise that sounds like it is coming from the Air Box. The PA has a large air box that seems to be incorporated into the fenderwell...
I always wondered why the intake noise was only during a cold start?

Bert

I have been told the noise is due to the BBV being open until warmed up.

Where is the front screw??? I'm trying to take my bottom half off and I found the back screw and took that out easily, but I can't find the front one. Is it in a corner, the middle, what??? I have a '95 btw.

It's on the corner closest to the headlight assembly. It is hard to get to because it is tucked away. Mine was a different size than the rear as well...

Any tips on how to get to it?? Thanks for your help!

I dunno how you all get that back one off so easy, I can't be the only one where the POS bolt is rusted to the washer. When you turn it on mine, the whole thing just turns - and I have nothing to hold the washer with because it's on the other side in a tiny little compartment I can barely fit my fingers in. I had to just cut my airbox thing out while it was still in the car...

Shintsu wrote:

I dunno how you all get that back one off so easy, I can't be the only one where the POS bolt is rusted to the washer. When you turn it on mine, the whole thing just turns - and I have nothing to hold the washer with because it's on the other side in a tiny little compartment I can barely fit my fingers in. I had to just cut my airbox thing out while it was still in the car...

Haha, mine's all rusty too. I just take it all off, it's not like I'm leaving it in there anyway!

Oops...I mean, I didn't say anything...

thought my front bolt was not coming out too. so, after i got the easy one out i gave it a swift yank and it pulled out the rubber bushing that was on the front bolt.
after the air box was out that stupid little bolt was easy to take out by hand(stupid me). the rubber fell into a blackhole somewhere maybe a leprechaun took it, idk. i know the box wont go any where but i screwed it in w a self taping screw. now it's not goin any where still

btw
it really does sound better.now that its gutted.
a much needed mod, a world of difference- or maybe its in my head.
(pics coming soon of my custom gtd air bx)

Good to hear, Chris! I still remember the first time I gutted the box - That sound is a big part of what got me hooked on tinkering with these cars!

Ditto,
Now I don't want to stop. It's almost an obsession and a Bank Account drainer.

Biggest thing I noticed was when I'm on the expressway and give it just a little bit of gas the supercharger is more audible. I haven't noticed it much anymore, I suppose I've gotten used to it. A shame, I remember I got so excited everytime I gave a little bit of gas and I heard it whine.

Quote :

I haven't noticed it much anymore, I suppose I've gotten used to it.

Maybe it's time to move up to a FWI. You'll never get used to that!

Ha ha, I'd love to. It's already really cold outside though and I have no garage or anything to fiddle with the car in comfort in. A question on that, is there any way to make a FWI to where I don't have to take that shroud off to get to the air filter? I had to do that once and I broke a few of those plastic clips doing it.

no, not really any way around that, but if you use the right tool, those clips shouldn't break, especially if you take them out regularly. Maybe what you want is a true CAI, but it would involve some fabrication abillity.

Yes, not to take this thread far off topic but how would I do that? I would love a truly functional CAI, however I can see why the FWI is the easy way out. How often did you say the filter needs to be changed on a FWI? From your experience doing extra FWI mods are there any easy ones that really help?

I'm not opposed to a CAI other than I know making a good one can be difficult.

if you search, we have write up for a true CAI.

For my FWI I clean the filter about once or twice per year.

What does cleaning it consist of?

Remove, spray with soap, rinse with water, air dry, oil, reinstall.

Sorry if it's a dumb question but where does oil come into an air filter?

www.knfilters.com

Ah, okay. Seems a bit proprietary though - I don't see how a good scrubbing and air drying wouldn't get most of the garbage out of the filter. Sounds sorta like headlight fluid to me, but I can at least see some usage out of it. Have you tried cleaning it without using their air filter oil/cleaner?

No, I do as the instructions say to do. I can't question the oil technology because I'm not in a position to. There are too many proven applications where the K&N products do a good job that I don't question it.You may not understand how the technology works, but it's proven that it does. The idea certainly is proprietary, and K&N has a good reputation for it.