16 replies to this topic

[cbstdscott]

I have finally gotten around to taking some better pictures of my homemade CAI. It is made from a 6" and a 3 3/4" lengths of black PVC plumbing pipe (commonly used for waste lines) a pair of 45 degree elbow joints, a K&N filter that will fit over the 3 1/2" outside diameter of the plastic pipe, some PVC glue and some tie wraps.

I started by removing the all of the stock intake *except* that last bit that goes into the throttlebody. You can see in this picutre that I have also moved my battery (not neccesary) to the passenger's compartment of the car. At the bottom of the picture you can see that I have removed the dust shield so that I draw cold air directly from under the air dam. THIS CAR IN NEVER DRIVEN IN WET WEATHER!!! Hell, I do not drive this car when it is damp outside.



Here is the CAI in two basic components



Assembled



And in the car



OK, so it in not Car Show Pimping Tight.
But it works.

Scott

[racelife]

as long as it works thats all that matters. function over form!

[mesean13]

Hey, one good thing is that i'm sure it keeps the air colder than metal piping would!

[B@T "El Argentino"]

Thanks Scott.
I have some questions, how is it hooked up to the rubber hose? Does it just go over it? Does it stay in place without falling?

It looks easy to do and I dont see the point of replacing the stock rubber hose for a plastic one like other people do.

[JEFFtheJ00la]

Thanks Scott.
I have some questions, how is it hooked up to the rubber hose? Does it just go over it? Does it stay in place without falling?

It looks easy to do and I dont see the point of replacing the stock rubber hose for a plastic one like other people do.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

thats kinda how i made my cai for my grand am. routed the filter right in front of my wheel. drove that car in all kinds of weather. only sucked up water twice and that was my fault. my strong american engine diddnt hydrolock.

[badpenny]

Thanks Scott.
I have some questions, how is it hooked up to the rubber hose? Does it just go over it? Does it stay in place without falling?

It looks easy to do and I dont see the point of replacing the stock rubber hose for a plastic one like other people do.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Snake clamp holds the rubber hose over the plastic tubing, the tubing is held together with pvc primer and cement (its stronger than the plastic when it cures) And this would allow him to just set it in place without fear of it falling out the bottom of the car.

[SlaveSpawn]

Thats looks pretty nice man but y didnt u just get some 4"-?" custom mandrel bent pipe at and a muffler shop, buy a seal kit. If ur concerned about heat use some heat wrap wet it down then wrap the pipe. I think I would have got an Apexi' cone too w/the middle funnel to get more air.

[JEFFtheJ00la]

you really dont need any bigger than 3" or 3.5". and how is that filter going to flow any more than a k&n? its only a little 4 banger

Edited by jeff420, 23 February 2006 - 04:08 PM.

[SlaveSpawn]

The K&N only gets air from the sides no direct flow since the front is blocked off, the Apexi does makes it easier to tube air into it.

Scott does have his tucked real good though, hopefully he's got it in the wheel well or tube'd.

Edited by SlaveSpawn, 23 February 2006 - 04:29 PM.

[cbstdscott]

It is hard to see in the last picture, but I use tie wraps to secure the CAI.

The 45 degree elbow joint is wide enough so that the stock intake piece snugs right inside.

I did not photograph the filter to show that it draws air through the end as well.

Maybe the best part of all is that the black plastic piping sort of looks stock and has never drawn notice from smog inspectors.

I suppose I could have used mandrel bent pieces... but it never occured to me.

Scott

[SlaveSpawn]

They prob don't notice since its tucked (can't see the cone) thinking its goes to a stock air box.

I was talking 1 piece or at least 2 or 3 piece mandrel bent pipe, pain in the ass but it look really sweet and u could stretch the diameter in certain parts. Then get all the angles and various diameters written down then we could take all the measurements to r local muffler shop and enjoy a nice Cai or u could sell them.

Edited by SlaveSpawn, 23 February 2006 - 04:53 PM.

[87ClubRed]

Thanks Scott.
I have some questions, how is it hooked up to the rubber hose? Does it just go over it? Does it stay in place without falling?

It looks easy to do and I dont see the point of replacing the stock rubber hose for a plastic one like other people do.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Snake clamp holds the rubber hose over the plastic tubing, the tubing is held together with pvc primer and cement (its stronger than the plastic when it cures) And this would allow him to just set it in place without fear of it falling out the bottom of the car.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not sure this answered the question....or, maybe I'm just confused. Scott, at this point...

The 45 degree elbow joint is wide enough so that the stock intake piece snugs right inside.

...is it just friction that holds that section together? And it's secure?

[squareback]

Thats looks pretty nice man but y didnt u just get some 4"-?" custom mandrel bent pipe at and a muffler shop, buy a seal kit. If ur concerned about heat use some heat wrap wet it down then wrap the pipe. I think I would have got an Apexi' cone too w/the middle funnel to get more air.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just like with exhaust piping, you don't want the intake piping to be too big, or you could potentially lose intake velocity. 4" would be WAY too big for these little engines. I custom-made a CAI exactly like Scott's except that I used rubber elbows. It sounded much better, and I noticed significantly better throttle response. I drove mine in all weather and never had water issues.

Mike

[jerfguy]

I have got a cheap Kragen CAI and flipped the pipe arround to fit. searching payed off. Anyways, I have noticed a loss in acelleration and nothing else realy changed. I loved my RAM intake. Great throtle response. So I will try another search and try and figure out whats the difference between the two.

[IZB16BR]

Dude, if it fits and it works, nothing beats a DIY CAI, i am planning on doing a custom CAI, from my short ram, on my integra, so im gonna go buy me some piping at Home Depot.

G Make sure its safe from debree and from possible water. My $0.02