I recently bought a Cosmo Racing CAI from Ebay and I must say, I've heard some bad things. First, I heard that since the filter of the CAI is right in front of the wheel well that it will suck up water when it rains and get water in my engine. Also I am having some trouble installing it with my foglights. It's blue right now but I'm gonna get it painted Fusion Orange to match the car.
2004 Vibe Base Cosmo Racing CAI (Orange) Eurolite Xenon Headlights, foglights, reverse light, Licence Plate Lights and Dome Lights JVC KD-DV5100 Headunit 7" Sharp LCD 2 12" Legacy 500w Subwoofers 400w Legacy Amp Custom Bult Sub box 3 Pillar pod Gauges Painted Engine Cover Jom Billet Aluminum Stubby Anntena
I have had one on my Fusion for a year now. It will not suck in water unless it is deep enough to be filling up the front seats. It is a tight fit behind the fogs but I believe all CAIs are a bit of a tough fit. I removed the inner fender skirt to put mine on. Some people even remove the whole front bumper. Use the search button in the upper right corner of this screen and you'll find a ton of info.
I install my CAI for the second time last week, as I removed it for winter. The filter was like brand new after a hole summer and fall of use... my tip, as Sunny says, is to unbold the inner fender, really easy, and help you a lot. if all your body kit is in place, you should not have tons of water/durt that will go to your filter. and I don't thing water neither durt can go up your engine, since the filter is there to make sure only clean air will do.
I always hear that the CAI is a tight squeeze with the foglights. Most people seem to have fixed this problem by either sliding the filter up further on the CAI pipe or by cutting off an inch or two of the filter end of the pipe. Also, some CAI's have set off the Check Engine Light, while others have not.
Former owner of a 2003 Vibe GT---Great car that gave me 8 years and 83,000 miles of trouble-free service.Current owner of a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited AWD.