CAI Install Disaster

[Petrucci914]

What a complete disaster. Had the Throttle Body Spacer installed the other day and I go to install the Injen CAI today. I cut off an inch where it goes into the throttle body and all seemed to be going fine, BUT when you put the filter in it is smashed against the foglight. I doubt it is supposed to do/look like that. What is going wrong?

Attached files

[djb383]

Can you cut some of the tube off on the filter end?

[Petrucci914]

I suppose I could but I don't know if that'll help. Bluecrush said he only trimmed an inch on his and that's it. I dunno. This install is a HUGE waste of time.

[MassiveOverkill]

Do you have the two-piece unit? If so you should be able to rotate the second tube.

[Petrucci914]

It's a one piece. I pushed the filter up more onto the tube and that seems to have fixed the smashed issue. i don't think it's supposed to be pushed up that much, though. I think I'll eventually get a shorter filter so I don't have to fight it anymore. Any further future suggestions?

[djb383]

Could you cut the metal tube and get a rubber pipe splice to re-attach the metal tube together. Then you would be able to twist the filter end of the metal tube for more clearance.

[Mavrik]

Wow... with mine on the tube enough to clamp it, the filter sits on top of the fog lamp. You may need to trim a few inches off that. That does not look right.

[MassiveOverkill]

Is your vibramount rubber bushing mounted in the stock hole that held down your stock snorkle? Can you rotate the whole assembly counter-clockwise (looking at the throttle body)?

[Celtic_Curse]

Pull the bumper off I ran into a simular problem the filter will sit on top of the fog light.

[Petrucci914]

Thanks, guys. I pushed the filter up onto the tube more and it looks just right now. I may eventually buy a flatter filter with more surface area that'll work out better.

[Mavrik]

think we got room in there to put on one of those round almost mushroom head shaped ones? Or that what you mean by flatter filter?

[scherry2]

mine smashed when I first installed it. I pushed the filter up higher on the pipe and it seemed to be o.k.

[MassiveOverkill]

Keep in mind that by pushing the filter up higher on the tube, you're creating a restriction........possibly even blocking off your intake tube. I don't know about your particular model, but on mine, there is an internal cone, which if you filter is pushed on the tube too far, that cone can block your tube. I would either re-cut your CAI at the throttle body, make sure your CAI is mounted properly, and not askew, and/or make a second junction with another rubber hose, like mine comes with so you can rotate the pipe so it's in the proper position. What year Vibe do you have and is it a base or GTS?

[Petrucci914]

Base. It is pushed a bit into the filter but you don't have a choice. The way I cut it is how it would be if I didn't have the spacer installed. It's not restricted at all, just a bit more into the filter. I'll look into possibily installing one of those mushroom filters. If they aren't too big in diameter I think it'd work perfect.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by Petrucci914 »I suppose I could but I don't know if that'll help. Bluecrush said he only trimmed an inch on his and that's it. I dunno. This install is a HUGE waste of time.Yes, I only trimmed off 1" at the throttle side of the CAI. I wouldn't trim any more off the throttle side. that will make things worse at the other end trying to get it down the hole behind the headlight/foglight. I would cut some off the filter end only. Mine is an Ebay two piece CAI and had zero fitment problems, but it shouldn't matter. You would have had the same problem if you didn't have the TB spacer, because the spacer adds 1" and then you cut off 1" from the TB end of the CAI. So it would be the same length as if you just had the CAI w/o the TB spacer. Others have had problem with injen installs as well w/o having a TB spacer. It's just a little setback that will require a small amount of modifying to work properly. Don't worry it will be worth the effort.

[djb383]

How close from the closed end of the filter is the metal tube. It seems to me, if you shove the filter farther onto the tube (without shortening the tube) you may be restricting the air flow.

Attached files

[Petrucci914]

It is push in an inch or so more, not touching the end or anything. I drove it and there is more power and it doesn't feel restricted at all. I'll look into getting a better filter eventually.

[MassiveOverkill]

Looking at Cosmo's site, looks like the 2003's were all one piece, which sucks. I don't think you would have had as bad of a problem had it been a two-piece CAI.

[satur9]

a lot of people had this problem. they designed cia's off the matrix which doesnt have fog lights there and listed them for both cars.trim off the filter side youll be fine.

[Petrucci914]

Yep. I just noticed that today when I saw a matrix. I have a lot more power now so I don't think it is restricted much but when I have to change the filter I'll trim some more off and choose a different filter. Thanks everyone!

[Lancer]

Just trim off and inch or so off the filter end of the cai. I did! Nobody sees it and it's covered up by the filter anyway. Why is that so hard?Tape off the area your gonna cut and start out slow until you get it going good. I used a sawz-all for the lower end and a hack-saw for the top. Only takes a few minutes.Hey, Are you still using the vibramont? I ended up cutting that whole part off so it would fit with the s/c. I just have a piece of left over foam tupin under the cai where it meets the fender.