Installed Cosmo Racing CAI on my 4WD (PICS)

[Pourmeaguinness]

Link to the Pics:http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictu ... 289083403I will be doing a full review of performance improvements from this intake after I've had a bit more time to drive with it.The kit installs exactly like the Injen. It comes with all the necessary hardware with the exception of two screws to bolt the mass air flow sensor onto the cai. (the 2 screws that hold it on your stock airbox are just self tapping screws, for plastic, and the mounting spot on the cai is a brass thread. It should warrant a trip to the hardware store before the install)As for the quality of the kit, I can't see where any of the other brands would be any different. The filter itself has no brand identification on it, and comes dry, so it needed to be charged. Mistamatrix was kind enough to help out with the install, and he had a K&N filtercharger kit, so we used that.First impressions:It is pretty loud under heavy acceleration, I mean a deep, throaty growling sound.That'll take time to get used to. I was bone stock.Getting passing power seems less work on the highway now, which was my main desire.I've never been in a Matrix with any of the other cai's availiable so unfortunately, I can't compare it to any of the others yet.However, with the money I saved on this CAI alone, I was able to do my highs and lows with Silverstars, and go halfway towards a grounding kit.It was $108.50At pretty much half the price of its competition, I'd say this is a bargain.I'll post more about driving with it and will answer any questions after I've driven it some more.And thanks to Mistamatrix, for his help and input.Cheers.

[Devlop]

Is this the one that was being sold on ebay? I wasn't going to get a cai because of plans for a turbo, but for that price and if it delivers like the others, i might get one while im saving for the turbo. Also, how does it fit? Does it fit like the old or the new injen?

[Pourmeaguinness]

It fits like the old Injen: install vibramount, lifting up the fusebox like an inch...etc.I didn't want to tie up like 210 plus shipping just in case I decide to get a supercharger down the road (wayyyyy down the road). So I went with this economical route.I will keep posted with my impressions as time goes by.Speaking about economy, any luck with getting strut plates yet? No rush, just a question.Cheers

[shibaman]

It looks good but I can't buy it in Ca. because it won't be smog legal. I have to wait for the Injen so I can get a CARB# on it.

[Devlop]

quote:Speaking about economy, any luck with getting strut plates yet? No rush, just a question.Actually, I have two sets with me and two sets in the mail coming to me. So, I'm gonna start building them real soon.

[Devlop]

quote:It fits like the old Injen: install vibramount, lifting up the fusebox like an inch...etc.From what I've read, the new injen was designed for the vibe because of access for the filter, I was just wondering if it had this change in its design or if it seems to be made for the matrix?

[Pourmeaguinness]

Really?I have no idea about the vibe. I know Cosmo racing sells it the same kit for either BASE/XR/VIBE. And another kit for the XRS/GT.I take it that installing the filter on a vibe is a major pain. No access to that area without taking off front bumper?Thanks for the update on the STB progression.Cheers.

[Devlop]

So how is the cai? Have you gotten a cel yet? Have you noticed a difference? Tell me, tell me. I'm itchin to buy one now.

[teammonkeys]

The Injen CAI has two model, one for the vibe and one for the Matrix. The main difference is that the Vibe's headlights stick out more than the Matrix. The Injen CAI Vibe model is bent a little more to aviod contact with the headlights. P.S. Injen used my AWD vibe to proto-type a CAI for the Vibe.

[Pourmeaguinness]

[quote="devlop"]So how is the cai? Have you gotten a cel yet? Have you noticed a difference? Tell me, tell me. I'm itchin to buy one now.[/quote]No problems here at all. No cels. There is a significant growl under accelleration, and better passing power. I have noticed a difference over my stock 123 hp. I would guess that I'm getting the same improvement I would from any of the other CAIs. (I'm likely back at 130hp give or take) It's a noticeable improvement over stock and, without a doubt, worth it in my opinion.FYI... If you do get one, I would reccomend you look at and print indigoinks injen install pics from- http://homepage.mac.com/twilkers/PhotoAlbum10.html -because they are better than the ones from cosmo. (more pics of the steps, better detail etc...) And be gentle with your mass airflow sensor, its very delicate and messing it up would be really annoying. Sound advice goes for any CAI install.Cheers

[ragingfish]

quote:The Injen CAI has two model, one for the vibe and one for the Matrix. The main difference is that the Vibe's headlights stick out more than the Matrix. The Injen CAI Vibe model is bent a little more to aviod contact with the headlights. It also redirects the filter away from the fog lights so the filter can be installed/removed. The Matrix-designed intake end with the filter sitting on top of the fog light, making it virtually impossible to remove the filter for maintenance without removing the entire intake or the bumper.The Matrix fog lights are closer to the center, so the filter would actually fall to the outside of the fog assembly on a Matrix..

[Devlop]

Well, I went ahead and ordered one. The shipping was about $25. More info when I get it.

[Devlop]

I got my cai from cosmo racing today. It fits the vibe just like the others that are made for matrixes. For the price though, I don't have any complaints about the fit. My buddy has an injen, and I don't see any differnce in the quality of the product. I'm happy with it and love the growl. Just not too thrilled with having to remove the whole thing to get the filter out. So, if anyone is interested in a cai, I suggest cosmo racing.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

I'm thinking about the Cosmo CAI as well. Much cheaper then the Injen one.... Chrismas is coming... will be a good idea for a gift.

[YoYo]

Thanks for all the info. I *really* want one of these, and the price is right. Only thing holding me back is how hard it is to get access to the filter. Anybody have any tips here on a way around this? And how often does one of those style of filters have to be cleaned/replaced?

[Flip-Side]

quote:The filter itself has no brand identification on it, and comes dry, so it needed to be charged. Mistamatrix was kind enough to help out with the install, and he had a K&N filtercharger kit, so we used that.How much does a filtercharger kit cost? Can anyone tell me if the INJEN and AEM intakes come with the charge kits included? Been looking at the cosmo intake a while now, but wasn't sure if it was a decent quality and if it included everything. Thanks for clearing most of this up. The price is awfully nice compared to the others.

[Raven]

A K&N filtercharger kit is about $15.00Can. I got my Cosmo CAI yesterday and will install it on April 3rd. As stated the only thing missing is the 2 bolts for the MAF sensor. I asked Paul to add them to the kit and he said he did but they were not in the box. The filter looks just like a K&N cone filter. It's a very nice looking intake at any price.

[Devlop]

Yeah, I have ahd no problems with mine. I just used the oem bolts for the maf sensor.

[wishminespimp]

DO NOT BUY FROM COSMO.they are the worst at returning comments. They sent me the wrong one, and when I sent it back, they sent it back again, saying I shipped it wrong.. and that's after 2 weeks of me e-mailing them without getting a response

[wicked1981]

Damn sounds like wheelmax.com. They returned my wheels saying the same thing. Ptuning.com is good, ordered cai, exhaust no problem.