CAI for the Vibe

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 4:31 am

I see a lot of people here seem to be putting this on their Vibes. What sort of gains have you seen with Cold Air Intake as opposed to how it was before? More HP? Cool sound and poor fuel milage? Or is the fuel milage still good? I am considering one of these for my Vibe since the SC seems to be a long way off yet so I am gathering infomation. I see people here have installed them themselves in like an hour so it can't be to technical lol.Any pros and cons or other info would be appreciated... any canadians here with one that can tell me the $cost and were I might buy one?

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 4:49 am

Cosmo racing in Montreal has them. You can order direct or go through Ebay. The shipping in Canada is about $20.00 to Ontario and the CAI is about $140.00. This is in Canadian dollars. No hidden customs costs this way. UPS is a major rip-off when it comes to brokerage fees, so if you can buy in Canada it saves a lot of cash.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 5:39 am

Thats not to bad, and yeah UPS rips off people.So any gains from installing this?

wicked1981 · Post by **wicked1981** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 5:56 am

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik Â» So any gains from installing this?Not sure exact gains but an Injen CAI for a Vibe GT is an increase of I think 12.1HP that is what Ptuning.com reported. Not sure about gains on base Vibe's.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 7:14 am

12 HP on the Vibe GT? Wow I wonder what the gains are on the base Vibe cause I am interested in doing this.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 7:19 am

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik Â»12 HP on the Vibe GT? Wow I wonder what the gains are on the base Vibe cause I am interested in doing this.Cosmo claims 7 HP gain for the base.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 8:24 am

so for $140 I can boost my HP by approx 10 HP. Not to bad a guess, does it change the fuel milage and engine sound? I know I asked that but no one answered yet.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 8:31 am

Engine sound, yes. It's louder. It sounds almost like a metal chain going. Very cool actually.Gas mileage, most likely. I noticed a decrease in my mileage, though some claim to have seen increases. In any case, I suspect you will see SOME sort of difference.

scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 8:48 am

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik Â»12 HP on the Vibe GT? Wow I wonder what the gains are on the base Vibe cause I am interested in doing this.Gee, it must be about the same (10 hp, never stuck it on a dyno.) i have a base vibe and i notice a big difference and i have and injen from PTuning.com. best money i've spent ...so far

Dr. DODO · Post by **Dr. DODO** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 10:18 am

I just joined the forum. I am amazed with a breath of the topics covered on this forum and information posted here has been very informative.I have been considering CAI for my 03 GT as well and found the best place to ask questions, GenVibe!So, there seem to be at least two different systems available.One is injen technology from ptuning.com, which is 263.95 US Dollar but clicking on instant rebate button will give you a 26.39 USD rebate to give it a final cost of 237.56 (Free shipping). This product claims 12.1 HP increase on GT.Another is from cosmoracing.com, which is sold for 108.50 USD. However, clicking on Buy Now icon leads me to a "Page not found" error. So, I don't know how to order nor be able to figure out shipping/handling costs. Clicking on buy now icon did add the item to the "shopping cart" though. Calling them at (450) 444-3633 might solve the problem. This product claims 7 HP increase from the base HP. The site highly recommends professional installation for this product. So, here are my questions from the newbi to the infinite knowledge of the GenVibe users. Do either one of the product come with the filters or you need to purchase the air filter separately?How difficult is it really to install? I am not a mechanic nor do I have a degree in mechanical engineering but I am not particularly mechanically challenged. Is one better than other? I am sure there would not be anyone who has tried both products so it would be impossible to compare but there are differences in their claims on the products. There are huge differences between 7 and 12 HP increase. The difference might be due to different filter each product uses. Cosmo uses a paper filter but injen uses a foam filter. Does anyone have comments on differences in performance using different types of filters?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 10:24 am

I have an Injen.Comes with a filter pre-oiled, ready to be installed.Relatively easy to install. I personally couldn't do ANYTHING mechanical when I installed this back last summer and it was more or less easy. Took me about 2.5 hours -- from what I'm reading that's the longest install of anyone.Couldn't tell you if one is better than the other. At the time I was looking to buy, Cosmo's name never came up...people told me Injen or AEM, majority seemed to follow in the path of Injen, so I followed. That's my recommendation personally...

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 10:51 am

Which product says 12HP as opposed to 7HP? I want to buy the CAI with the best filter and best increase in power. Though I hope to not see my fuel milage go to the crapper heh.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 10:59 am

i have a TRD full CAI on my GT. but the prob i ran into was it threw the check engine light (CEL) after a few hundred miles. but, now i also added the Unichip and that got rid of the CEL and man, is it awesome! more torque, hp, and i still avg 26-29 mpg! and i drive like a crazy person!

ArcsVibe · Post by **ArcsVibe** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 11:05 am

Which ever one you decide on you will love the sound and power! Injen and AEM make very good ones....Cosmo is also very good and if you want buy it and I can pick it up and bring it to you at one of the meets this summer ( just buy me a cold one for the "shipping" )

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 11:16 am

Well Sam is the one for sale in MTL as good as the one Hope has? I want the best for my car... Sound and Power! but no uni chip engine light stuff lol... Course I have access to Tech II at work and can clear the light. If I buy one and you bring it, I already got an offer from someone who is going to the meet and will help me install it there. But your not going to that meet in MI... guess we'd have to do this at the Ont meet or Quebec meet.

wicked1981 · Post by **wicked1981** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 11:48 am

Quote, originally posted by Dr. DODO Â» This product claims 7 HP increase from the base HP. The site highly recommends professional installation for this product. First off welcome. Professional installation? Never heard of that thought it was easy.Quote, originally posted by Dr. DODO Â» Do either one of the product come with the filters or you need to purchase the air filter separately?Injen CAI comes with everything you need ready to install no need to purchase anything else except for a recharge kit wich is a clening solution and the oil to spray it with. You can purchase this kit from K&N either trough a website or go to like a Autoparts/Autozone and they sell them there also. This is the kit to look for http://www.knfilters.com/clningacc.htm This is what K&N says about when to clean it.20. How do I know when to clean the filter?The general rule of thumb is that the filter needs to be cleaned when the dirt build up gets as thick as the wire mesh. The usual interval is 30,000 - 50,000 miles depending on driving conditions. We recommend that you check your filter about once a year in normal usage.Quote, originally posted by Dr. DODO Â» How difficult is it really to install? I am not a mechanic nor do I have a degree in mechanical engineering but I am not particularly mechanically challenged. It took me about 45 min its not hard at all just a little time consuming. The kit from Ptuning.com comes with instructions just follow them and you should be fine. Get stuck ask here.Quote, originally posted by Dr. DODO Â»Is one better than other? I am sure there would not be anyone who has tried both products so it would be impossible to compare but there are differences in their claims on the products. There are huge differences between 7 and 12 HP increase. The difference might be due to different filter each product uses. Cosmo uses a paper filter but injen uses a foam filter. Does anyone have comments on differences in performance using different types of filters?So far I think you are the second person to mention a Cosmo CAI that I have heard of so not sure on how good they are Im sure someone here knows.

Fialchar · Post by **Fialchar** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 3:55 pm

Paying nearly $200 for a CAI is too much..I bought an off brand mandrel-bent tubing from ebay that was made specifically for the 03 Vibe, then I bought a performance AEM filter for $35 from V&T Performance, a local car shop. Altogether I spent about $85, and my CAI works very well.

Fialchar · Post by **Fialchar** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 3:58 pm

Oh, and installed in under 30 minutes with the help of a very knowledgable friend.(Just a bit of extra information: I tried to install a different CAI before this one, and the engine would kill itself every time I would try to start it. The only difference that I know of between the CAI's was that the APC intake didn't have a place to slide that one piece (Small black piece, not sure what it is) into, like the current one does.)

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 8:02 pm

I want to install a full CAI kit on my Vibe but here is my question. Injen of Cosmo? I was talking to Hope (TRDVibe) who was telling me about her TRD one which turned on the cel light till she put in a chip. I do not want my cel light coming on. Seems that most here use Cosmo or Injen so are there any differences? I could look on a website I am sure for ideas but those are all sale tactics. I want to know what you all think from experience lol.

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 10:40 pm

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik Â»I want to install a full CAI kit on my Vibe but here is my question. Injen of Cosmo? I was talking to Hope (TRDVibe) who was telling me about her TRD one which turned on the cel light till she put in a chip. I do not want my cel light coming on. Seems that most here use Cosmo or Injen so are there any differences? I could look on a website I am sure for ideas but those are all sale tactics. I want to know what you all think from experience lol.The major difference between Injen and Cosmo is the price.... THe Cosmo is more then 50% cheaper.... But the instrcution are a little bit less precise... I didn't know what I was doing and it took me 75 mins to complete the install, and I did it alone.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 11:09 pm

Quote, originally posted by Sub-Vibe-R Â»The major difference between Injen and Cosmo is the price.... THe Cosmo is more then 50% cheaper.... But the instrcution are a little bit less precise... I didn't know what I was doing and it took me 75 mins to complete the install, and I did it alone.So you have the Cosmo one? Same power output as the Injen one? I would want the 10PH as opposed to 7HP... I will pay the price for more power lol... yes I am Tim The Tool Man Taylor... MORE POWER! heh. I am sure I can get around less then precise instructions cause I already have offers from people to help me install it.

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 11:23 pm

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik Â»So you have the Cosmo one? Same power output as the Injen one? I would want the 10PH as opposed to 7HP... I will pay the price for more power lol... yes I am Tim The Tool Man Taylor... MORE POWER! heh. I am sure I can get around less then precise instructions cause I already have offers from people to help me install it.I really don't know is the 10 HP claimed by Injen is real, and how exactly the Cosmo will give you, but one thing is sure, I have the cosmo CAI and it make a big difference in performance and sound.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 11:29 pm

Quote, originally posted by Sub-Vibe-R Â»I really don't know is the 10 HP claim by Injen is real, and how exactly the Cosmo will give you, but one thing is sure, I have the cosmo CAI and it make a big difference in performance and sound.Well the Cosmo is better in my price range and you have not had any probs with it? no cel lights and such like that? Your Vibe a base or GT?Arc (sam) has already offered to deliver me one lol for a free beer. If there is a big difference in performance and sound, and since I don't have a dyno to test it, who knows about the 10hp gain.

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 11:37 pm

I installed mine only this saturday and drive not mre then 10km with it. But no cell yet and there's a very noticable difference.I paid $160 for my Cosmo, all included, plus $20 for the K&N filter oil and clearner. So I had all for less then $200 taxes included.

drummerdude · Post by **drummerdude** » Sun Feb 29, 2004 11:45 pm

I have the CAI from Cosmo Racing, the instructions for installing it were fine. me and a friend did it in about an hour (it really helps to have the 2nd person when fitting the filter on the end of the pipe.)as far as sound goes... its amazing, i almost crapped myself when we went for a drive right after installing it. especially when you hit lift!!!Power increase, i could tell a significant power increase after the installation. i haven't had it dynoed, but i'm truly impressed with this CAI.just my $.02

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 1:02 am

Quote, originally posted by Sub-Vibe-R Â»I installed mine only this saturday and drive not mre then 10km with it. But no cell yet and there's a very noticable difference.I paid $160 for my Cosmo, all included, plus $20 for the K&N filter oil and clearner. So I had all for less then $200 taxes included.Thanks guys, let me know how it goes. Unless someone can convince me otherwise, the Cosmo sounds like the way to go for me. Its something at least till the SC arrives... if ever.

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 1:35 am

If ever.... you're so right. But the CAI is by far much cheaper and easiet to install. But the result is way different too

Dr. DODO · Post by **Dr. DODO** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 5:08 am

Thank you all for your comments.Though Injen claims 12.1 HP increase as opposed to Cosmo's 7 HP increase, One possibility is that increase in HP in one or both of them are approximate figures. Reading the posts, it seems like either way you go; you will see noticeable difference in power.Sounds like you are going with Cosmo. Please post your opinion on the Cosmo CAI.--------Correction: Injen claims 12.1 HP increase is measured with Dyno. So, Cosmoâ€™s number may be approximate value. Cosmoâ€™s site does not say whether they measured HP with any type of instruments or not.Also, 12.1 HP increase on Injen is only on the GT model. They do not claim particular number of increase on the base model.

Dr. DODO · Post by **Dr. DODO** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 5:13 am

So, Cosmo CAI also comes with the filter included in the kit?I saw other posts that say installation is relatively simple but time consuming.If procedures are simple, then why does it take so long to install?One more question while I am at it, does it require any special tools to install?

Fialchar · Post by **Fialchar** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 5:17 am

Screwdriver to install, maybe a wrench to take off a hose clamp (Don't remember for sure, I installed mine about 2 months ago ). As long as you know what you're doing, it shouldn't take long at all.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 5:33 am

Quote, originally posted by Sub-Vibe-R Â»I installed mine only this saturday and drive not mre then 10km with it. But no cell yet and there's a very noticable difference.I paid $160 for my Cosmo, all included, plus $20 for the K&N filter oil and clearner. So I had all for less then $200 taxes included.Looks like Cosmo comes with it, and a great deal to. I'm not to far from MTL and could have someone pick it up for me I am sure. I know Sam offered.Yeah I think I am going Cosmo, even if the base Vibe is only 7hp, others with base have noticed great differences.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 5:35 am

are you talking CAI or short ram. seems to me you are refering to Cosmo's short ram and not full CAI. they are 2 diff things. CAI will give you about 10+ hp on a base and short about 6+ on a base. short ram is easy to maintain, but the CAI will be much more difficult. you have to get under the car and shove the filter up onto the tube so it doesn't collide w/ the back of the foglight.i have a trd cai, and it works great. but i also changed out the factory fogs and so that helps alleviate that prob too.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 5:47 am

I want FULL CAI for my Vibe there Hope and crawling under it won't be a prob, I have hoists to use at workso its all good. I can maintain it as well, got access to all that stuff to. So Cosmo sell a FULL CAI? I want 10HP!!! heh

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 5:47 am

Quote, originally posted by Dr. DODO Â»Thank you all for your comments.Though Injen claims 12.1 HP increase as opposed to Cosmo's 7 HP increase, One possibility is that increase in HP in one or both of them are approximate figures. Reading the posts, it seems like either way you go; you will see noticeable difference in power.Sounds like you are going with Cosmo. Please post your opinion on the Cosmo CAI.I've seen some dyno from Injen, but not on Cosmo... Anyways, I cannot see how we can have so much difference between 2 pieces of ose and 1 air filter. The air filter should make the biggest difference. The rest is only tubbling...Quote, originally posted by Dr. DODO Â»So, Cosmo CAI also comes with the filter included in the kit?Yes, the Cosmo kit come with everything you need... But I recommand to buy a K&N oiling kit and charge the filter.Quote, originally posted by Dr. DODO Â»I saw other posts that say installation is relatively simple but time consuming.If procedures are simple, then why does it take so long to install?It is simple and does not require specific skills...It took me 90 mins overall to complete my install, alone.Now I can do it within 1 hour without trouble.Is is simple, but you have to go through several steps to do it.Removing the battery, then stock air box, rasing the fuse older, installing the CAI tube, screwing everything, installing the air filter. It is simple but you have to take your time. Each step are quite easy, but you ahve to follw them one by one.Quote, originally posted by Dr. DODO Â»One more question while I am at it, does it require any special tools to install?You will need a phillips screw driver, wrench with 10mm and 5/16 nuts and 2-3 tie-wrap.. nothing else.

wicked1981 · Post by **wicked1981** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 6:17 am

Quote, originally posted by Sub-Vibe-R Â» You will need a phillips screw driver, wrench with 10mm and 5/16 nuts and 2-3 tie-wrap.. nothing else.Injen CAI has all this in the kit except for the screw driver & wrench.

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 6:25 am

Quote, originally posted by wicked1981 Â»Injen CAI has all this in the kit except for the screw driver & wrench.Sorry, I was not clear enough.... you do not need to buy any nuts..I mean 10mm and 5/16 socket for the wrench... The only thing you have to provide is the tie-wrap, but you can use anything else to fix remaning the loose ose.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 6:54 am

http://www.cosmoracing.com/pro...d=409 they have the full cai for base/awd as well as the gt models. looks like they are also in montreal

Dr. DODO · Post by **Dr. DODO** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 9:16 am

Quote, originally posted by Sub-Vibe-R Â»I've seen some dyno from Injen, but not on Cosmo... Anyways, I cannot see how we can have so much difference between 2 pieces of ose and 1 air filter. The air filter should make the biggest difference. The rest is only tubbling...I agree, there is low limit for the amount of technology you can use to make significant differences on tube.So, filter is likely to make more differences. I recently found all-metal air filter at http://www.blitz-na.com/airfilter.html (SUS power core type). It seems to me, it is much easier to maintain (i.e. clean) the filter. This all-metal filter claims higher air-flow than OME AND K&N type cotton filters. If I can hook this metal filter to the CAI tubing, may be there is going to be a synergistic effect? Cosmo CAI owners, is it possible to attach different air filter at the end? From the answers on the forum, it looks like filter will come with the tube but is it detachable/replaceable?

Dr. DODO · Post by **Dr. DODO** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 9:25 am

Quote, originally posted by Sub-Vibe-R Â»Yes, the Cosmo kit come with everything you need... But I recommand to buy a K&N oiling kit and charge the filter.So, back to the air filter, (By the way, how do I make multiple quote boxes on reply?)Any filter will loose its effectiveness with usage. So, more frequent cleaning should maintain the air-flow near best. I know these K&N type filters supposed to last for 1 million miles or something ridiculous like that but you still need to wash it and oil it every 5,000 miles or so. Seems like hassle to meÃ¢Â€Â¦ All-metal filter could be washed in dishwasher if you want. (Your female partner is not going to like the idea though .) At least, just rinse the filter over the sink will do. If it is possible to add different filter than one that come with the Cosmo CAI kit, how easy is it to access the filter after it is installed?

Fialchar · Post by **Fialchar** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 10:37 am

Yes, you can VERY easily change the filter type The original filter I got with my CAI was a half-sphere shaped foam filter (Foam filters suck) and I just went over to V&T Performance and got a high flowing AEM filter.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 11:02 am

Well I want to get the best filter so any reccommentions? I'd want to buy the whole thing in a kit. Cosmo looks like they sell the CAI with the K&N filter.

wicked1981 · Post by **wicked1981** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 11:13 am

Quote, originally posted by Sub-Vibe-R Â»If ever.... you're so right. But the CAI is by far much cheaper and easiet to install. But the result is way different tooYou mean the short ram air intake right? Not the full CAI. Because the full CAI is more difficult and more expensive. Unless I read your statement wrong.

Sub-Vibe-R · Post by **Sub-Vibe-R** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 12:07 am

Quote, originally posted by wicked1981 Â»You mean the short ram air intake right? Not the full CAI. Because the full CAI is more difficult and more expensive. Unless I read your statement wrong.No, I was talking about the CAI vs the SC....And I bought the full CAI from Cosmo, not a short ram

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Tue Mar 02, 2004 6:58 am

You don't happen to have the number so I can call Paul at Cosmo there in MTL and talk to him myself do you?

shibaman · Post by **shibaman** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 11:08 pm

I installed an Injen CAI bought from Ptunning. It was easy except for getting the filter past the fog light. Injen says that you get 8hp and 5lbs of torque from it. I have an auto and you can feel the improvement in low end plus the top end is great. It is quiet at crusing but is quite loud when you step on it. Important for me is that it is Ca. smog legal also. Gas mi.is still between 28 and 33. I can climb the Altimont pass on 580 going 75 in over drive. Before I always had to shift down. Best $ I have spent on a mod.