Custom CAI- wish me luck
11-19-2006, 01:16 PM
#26
Its all about Style...
Join Date: May 2006
Location: South of Boston, MA
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looks somewhat similar to Racing Beat's I know its not exactly but the filtercone design looks like it. Anyways.. great job on doing this yourself I know I wouldnt ><!
11-19-2006, 01:47 PM
#28
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Da Hills of Va
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well after driving for over 20 mins the outside cover of the intake was very cool to the touch. I'm sure it helps that the intake is pulling air from outside the engine compartment via the stock piping. I'd also like to mention the intake is quite compared to the umnitza I removed to try this out.
11-20-2006, 01:16 PM
#32
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
would you happen to know how much surface area that filter has by chance. might just be the pics but it seems a bit small.
Originally Posted by 1stgen8
Hello all...I came up with a new design that works. Already put 20 -25 miles on the car with no CEL or hesitation at all. Car runs better than it did with the Umnitza. I really feel my first design was the pipe size and air filter. For my new design I had to hack up the stock airbox for the piping. Then I went to Advance and bought an APC Turbo Air Intake Filter .....very nice for APC if I may add. Filter cost $65 but it is worth it. Then I went to Lowe's and picked a three inch pipe coupler, one 4" coupler that tappers to 3"...in plumbing section and a few 4" inch clamps. I also used the two screens out of the stock airbox. Took a little work to the screen in between the pipe and couplers but they work like a charm. My project cost less than $100. I can give more info on how to do this if anyone else is interested. I still have a few finishing touches to add...like painting the stock pipe to dress it up.
If I don't have any problems with my custom CAI I will be selling the Umnitza.
If I don't have any problems with my custom CAI I will be selling the Umnitza.
11-20-2006, 04:20 PM
#33
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Da Hills of Va
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by gh0st
would you happen to know how much surface area that filter has by chance. might just be the pics but it seems a bit small.
The rear opening on the filter is 4 inches and the front opening of the filter housing is also 4 inches in dia. Filter comes with a 3", 3.5" and 4" adaptor ring for different size pipe. I had to use the 3.5" adaptor ring to get the filter to fit onto the oem pipe. The filter is noticeably larger than the Umnitza filter....with a smaller housing around it. It does not look like the filter I used would fit inside the umnitza housing cause it is larger than the one Umnitza uses. I really like my setup over the Umnitza. I have already put about 100 miles on it with no problems. Car runs smoother and picks up a little quicker. Like I said before I think Umnitza's pipe size and filter hold their intake back. My wife likes the sound of my intake over the Umnitza....said the Umnitza was to loud.
I bought some 3.5" aluminum intake pipe on ebay today....2 feet for $20. I plan on using it to replace the piece of pipe that joins the filter and MAF pipe. I figured I'd dress it up with nice intake piping instead of painting the stock pipe. Buying the pipe would bring me up to $100 for my custom intake.
Last edited by 1stgen8; 11-20-2006 at 04:29 PM.
11-23-2006, 07:44 AM
#34
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Da Hills of Va
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just an update for all. I will show the completed product sometime next week. I thought I was going to get my 3.5" aluminum piping yesterday. With the new piping the filter will sit closer to the opening that passes thru the radiator support. I may shorten or remove the rubber coupler that is attached to the front of the filter housing. Will probably just shorten it cause it holds the intake in place.
Last edited by 1stgen8; 11-23-2006 at 07:47 AM.
11-24-2006, 06:53 PM
#37
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Da Hills of Va
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here are the new pics I promised. Made a few changes to the intake. I did away with the rubber coupler on the front and removed one of the screens....closest to the filter. I cut the aluminum pipe in a 7" length. Having the pipe this long causes the stock accordion tubing to act as a spring and forces the front of the intake against the radiator support where the air inlet pipe feeds thru the front bumper. So in other words there are no brackets or clamps needed to hold the intake in place. Drove about 15 more miles and still no CEL. So far I have put around 200 miles on the car with no problems. Still runs smooth and a bit more responsive than the Umnitza. I am very happy with the outcome. The key was the 3.5" piping I used to make it. The original 2.75" pipe was not allowing enough air into the motor. I have a few more things I want to try since this project has worked so well. Enjoy the pics.
Last edited by 1stgen8; 11-24-2006 at 07:01 PM.
11-24-2006, 09:04 PM
#39
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Da Hills of Va
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks.....there's not a lot of pressure on it. Just enough to hold the intake steady. It still has room to flex.....believe me I have checked. I inserted the pipe inside the filter as far as I could. Once I got the intake into position I pulled the pipe back out until the filter was snug againt the radiator support..then tightened the clamp holding the filter on. This intake was pretty easy to make.
11-24-2006, 11:06 PM
#41
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Da Hills of Va
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 4 years to Supercharge
Looks awesome 1stgen8. 
Nice feeling to complete a custom job isn't it?
Nice feeling to complete a custom job isn't it?
11-28-2006, 06:14 PM
#42
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Da Hills of Va
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just ordered more 3.5" intake piping today. I will try to make this a true CAI. By the way does anyone know what size pipe AEM uses for their intake? I'm wondering if my intake piping is larger. Should have more pics the first of next week.
12-01-2006, 08:32 PM
#43
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Da Hills of Va
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here is the final stage of my custom CAI. Got my 3.5" elbow today and finished my project about 1 hr ago. Drove about ten miles and opened the hood.....pipe was ice cold. I'm pretty sure this intake is making a difference in the performace of my car but I cannot say exactly how without a scan tool. I think this was a big improvement over the Umnitza intake I had....atleast it feels like it anyway.
Last edited by 1stgen8; 12-01-2006 at 09:40 PM.
12-02-2006, 01:20 AM
#45
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Da Hills of Va
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by maybeashinka?
ok so can you list the parts? so I can copy you and be semi-original?
(1) 3.5" aluminum intake pipe measuring 24" - ebay for $20 shipped
(1) 3.5" aluminum intake pipe elbow (90 degree)- ebay for $23 shipped
(1) APC turbo filter from Advance Auto Parts - approx $70
(2) 3" pipe couplers from Lowes in plumbing section - $8
(2) screens from stock air box
(1) hack saw
(1) pack of fine sand paper to smooth edges of pipes
(1) air compressor or can of air to blow away debris from cutting pipes.
(4) 4" band straps or clamps from Advance...which ever you want to call them.
(2) long zip ties
Once the front bumper is off be sure to remove the reinforcement cause that is the only way to complete the build.
The most difficult part about making this intake is getting the 3" couplers over the screen and end of the 3.5" pipe. After cutting the straight pipe stand it on end then lay one screen down. Next work a coupler over the screen and end of the pipe...take your time cause its a little tricky. Took me a few minutes but I finally got it. Repeat step again for other end of pipe. Add the elbow next cause you will need to slide the straight pipe and elbow thru the hole in the radiator support before connecting them to the MAF pipe. Once I had everything connected I test fitted the reinforcement to make sure the filter was not touching the airbag sensor mounted on the underside of the reinforcement. If you feel there is enough clearance then use the two zip ties to secure the elbow to the radiator support. Keep in mind the reinforcement will also be holding the intake in place. I used the zip ties just for the heck of it. The neck of my filter sits about 1" away from the sensor. Next let the car run for about five minutes before putting everything back together.
I think you will be very pleased with the end result.
Last edited by 1stgen8; 12-02-2006 at 01:27 AM.
12-02-2006, 04:55 AM
#48
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Da Hills of Va
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 4 years to Supercharge
Does it hinder anything having two or does it just complicate the setup?
It won't hinder anything cause I only had one in my initial setup. That worked just fine. AEM uses two so I just thought I'd try it to see if there is any difference. I really need to get a scan tool to test this thing out.