GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Like I stated in the other forum, I don't consider myself a mechanic at all. So I am by no means an expert in installing a CAI. I just did my best to try to follow the instructions that came with the kit (as confusing as they were). That's also why it took me over 3 hours to do this mod. Most of the time I was trying to figure out how to take the componants apart. Especially the bumber! That part sucked the most. Anyway, this is how I did it. I'll be using the instructions that came with the kit to explaine everything, 'cause I don't know what everything is called. This is the base Vibe with stock air box and air ducts. You remove that and the vacuum switching valve. The other vacuum switching valve by the firewall and the ODB canister with vacuum lines and the air temperature control sensor are reused. Remove the air ducts leading to the throttle body and the front air collector by the front headlight. Press the 2.75" straight hose over the throttle body. Use the two clamps and tighten the clamp on the throttle body. Between the round resonator opening and the ground wire, insert the vibra-mount stud through the 1/4" hole. Take the m6 nut and washer and reach into the resonator opening and screw the nut to the vibra-mount stud from underneath. If you have someone with tiny hands it would help. And you know what happens if you drop them! Seperate the vacuum switching valve and the OBD canister with the stock lines still intact. Then take the IBD canister by the connected bracket. Align the bracket over the leg post where the air box was originally located. And take a stock m10 bolt and screw it into the pre-tapped hole in the center of the leg post. Then zip tie the vacuum switching valve away in a safe place towards the firewall. Now to raise the fuse box for clearance. Unscrew the nut on the strut tower and the bolt in the fender wall. Either lift or move the fuse box out of the way enough so you can screw in a flange nut upside down onto the the m10 stud on the strut tower. (your taking the nut that was holding the fuse box to the strut tower off, flipping it upside down, then putting the nut on. The fuse box will sit on top of this. You'll use the supplied m6 nut to tighten it to the strut tower later.) Next you install the extension bracket by lining it up the pre drilled hole on the fenderwall and screwing in the m10 bolt. The fuse box is bolted to the extension bracket with the supplied m6 x m16 bolt to the tapped hole on the extension bracket. Now for the fun part, putting in the CAI. I left the plastic bag on the CAI to help protect the finish but still enough to fit it in. [IMG]http://www.genvibe.com/images/misc/foru ... ll.jpg[IMG] Insert the filter end of the CAI into the opening below the headlight. I thought (after I had it together) that if you take the wheel well liner out before you put the CAI into the opening, you might be able to slip the filter on as you lower the CAI into the opening. That could save you the time it takes to removing the bumper enough to move the fog light out of the way enough to slip the filter on the end of the CAI. On the Base Vibe, the filter will have to be slipped on at least 1 1/2" more to make room for the fog light. Unless you want to remove the light and make it a RAM CAI. I did consider doing that for about 10 minutes while tring to figure this out. But, that's my advise having done the install, remove the wheel well liner BEFORE you slip the CAI into the opening and have a friend slip the filter on as you lower it in there.Then after some manuvering, wrestling, and some cursing, the CAI finally met up with the thottle hose and I got the clamps tightened. This is what I saw after I got done wrestling the CAI into position. And 2 hours later, I finally got to see this. Here's a veiw from the wheel well. After installing the CAI and filter It was just a matter of installing the air temperature control sensor into the machined bracket on the intake using the stock screws. Then clamping the stock vacuum line to the underside of the intake to the 3/8" nipple (can I say nipple?). The instructions say to cap-off the small port on the engine block below the throttle body. I looked for an hour for that thing and finally gave up (It was going on 3AM) Our glorious Admin told me that that is only for the GT (2zz) engine. Thanks for telling me that! I was really worried that I missed something. After over 3 hours sweating, cursing, and occasionaly bleeding... The Injen CAI was installed! Many said it couldn't be done. I just had to prove them wrong. Before you start tearing up the streets with your new found power, let the engine run for about 10-15 minutes to let the air sensor adjust to the new air flow. I also found that my car idles at 500 rpm when I come to a stop.I got the CAI from Performance Tuning, part# trd2065pGood luck to all the Vibe Base owners. You now have something to add to your baby's. I also got the oil cap from Injen. It looks good in there

First, awesome. I've been wondering about this for a while now and hope to put a CAI on my Vibe soon after I get it and this is really helpful.OK...now the question: since it's apparently such a pain to install this thing, I hate to ask how frequently you have to change the filter. I'm assuming since the filter on a CAI is more exposed to the elements you may have to replace it more often than a stock air filter. Anyone with experience care to comment?Thanks again for the picks and walkthrough.

Great post!!!! You don't actually ever through the filter away. You just clean it with a mild soap and water, let it dry and then use the correct oil for the filter. The oil is what pulls and holds the dirt as it passes through the filter. I personally wash and re oil my K & N filter I have on my custom CAI every 10,000 miles.

Thanks for taking the time and effort to document your CAI installation.This is definately a great help for all the GenVibe members!

Right, I realize you don't throw those filters away (I have a K&N on my Cherokee). I was just wondering how often you would have to remove, clean, and then reinstall the filter since it obviously seems to be a real pain in the you know what to get installed. Thanks.

quote:Like I stated in the other forum, I don't consider myself a mechanic at all. So I am by no means an expert in installing a CAI. You are now. Outstanding job Lancer.

Great post Lancer. The pics are a BIG plus for others in the group who may want to do the same thing. BTW, How's that finger?

thanks for a great post Lancernow all i have to do is convince my wife not to shoot me if i order one of those..

Can someone tell me how much power will you gain by installing this intake?TIA

Looks GREAT!!! Thanks for taking the time to take the pics & post!!,Carl

I feel bad for NovaResource because he hacked his INJEN CAI into a short ram because he didn't get it to fit.

Don't. All I have to do is buy a second silicone coupler and connect the two pieces back together. It would work. That was my future plan if a supercharger option doesn't happen.

This is why I love this place...tons of great info flowing, Great stuff.....keep it up!!

Thanks for the post.

I dunno dude...this sounds WICKED complicated!

quote:I dunno dude...this sounds WICKED complicated!Don't let it scare you. I just did mine today and it was cake. I didn't even have the benefit of a good quality guide like this to get it installed. I was on my own trying to figure out how to get the factory intake out. If I can do it, you can.

quote:I dunno dude...this sounds WICKED complicated!Don't let it scare you. I just did mine today and it was cake. I didn't even have the benefit of a good quality guide like this to get it installed. I was on my own trying to figure out how to get the factory intake out. If I can do it, you can. Lol, ok, I'm trusting you here...

Okey dokey smokey. Guess we'll see when I get it!

I rode with Rasermon's GT with his CAI, and the sound is GREAT, especially when the lift comes in. How does the base model sound with the CAI? Any problems with check engine lights? Thanks,Carl

Just outta curiosity, does anyone know if performance mods such as CAI, exhaust, etc. impact the resale value of a car, whether it be a good or bad impact?

But if I trade the car in to a dealer with all the mods on it, will that get me more money for the trade, or do those have no impact on resale value...

Hi GenVibe, I'm new to the forum. I'll get my info updated soon but first things first.....I just bought an Injen CAI and spent about 2 1/2 hours trying to install it on my GT with a friend of mine. My headlight was preventing me from getting the pipe in. I then spent another hour or so putting all the stock parts back in so I could drive to work this morning. That was fun

Sorry to hear that you had so much trouble. Did you remove the battery and battery tray when you were installing it?I see that you are from Michigan. We are having a Michigan Rally on June 28th. There are several members coming including myself that have the Injen CAI installed on their GT. We may even be able to help you install it there. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=4112

quote:Sorry to hear that you had so much trouble. Did you remove the battery and battery tray when you were installing it?I see that you are from Michigan. We are having a Michigan Rally on June 28th. There are several members coming including myself that have the Injen CAI installed on their GT. We may even be able to help you install it there. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=4112 When I called Injen for insallation assistance they told me that I might have to cut a bigger hole for the intake tube. Did anyone else have to do that?Thanks for the offer to help me install but I don't think I can wait until the 28th....too anxious to get the extra hp.

quote:When I called Injen for insallation assistance they told me that I might have to cut a bigger hole for the intake tube. Did anyone else have to do that?My headlight seemed like it was in the way too. After a little wiggling and twisting, it dropped right into place. It's definitely a bit of a tight fit, but it will go in.

quote:When I called Injen for insallation assistance they told me that I might have to cut a bigger hole for the intake tube. Did anyone else have to do that?No. You do not have to cut anything. There are two screws that hold the splash guard on under the foglight. If you remove those, you can slide your filter up from the bottom under the car after the intake tube is in place.I only made the suggestion about the 28th to invite you to the Michigan Rally. If there is anyway we can help you before then with any other questions, please let us know.

Exactly Silver! That's what I ran into too. It did eventually go though.

Ah yes...the vibra mount. I remember that part! It was a little tough to get in there, but it did go after some moving around. I wasn't sure what he was having the trouble with.

Yeah, make sure your vibra mount is in the right hole...mine was in the wrong one, couldn't figure out why nothin was linin up!!!!

Thanks for all the helpful tips.I gave it another shot after work yesterday with the Vibra mount in the right place and actually got the tube in as close as possible but it still wasn't fitting flush to the throttle body. I'm sending it back to Injen today for them to "inspect" since Ptuning was no help. Injen thinks they boxed up the base model tube by accident. Now I have to pay for shipping. What a pain in the *$$!!

If it turns out they did make a mistake, ask for them to cover the shipping for you to return it, since it was a manufacturer's shipping error..Correct me if I'm wrong Rob, but isn't ptuning an authorized injen dealer, meaning any warranty issues get sent directly to the manufacturer?

quote:I'm sending it back to Injen today for them to "inspect" since Ptuning was no help. Injen thinks they boxed up the base model tube by accident. Now I have to pay for shipping. What a pain in the *$$!!That would be interesting if that's what happened, because your issues sound exactly like what I ran into. If they did box up the wrong tube for you, I may well have a base intake under my hood. Now that would be strange. Let us know what they find out!

Man that stinks! That is a major pain in the (removed). Hopefully they get it all worked out for you as soon as possible.

Just found another nice how-to on installing the Injen CAI, this time on a Matrix XRS. Use the "Start Slideshow" link; very nice.http://homepage.mac.com/twilkers/PhotoAlbum10.html

I'm trying to resurrect the photos in this thread. Lancer said they were somehow removed from his cardomain site, rendering that portion of his excellent write-up in limbo.I believe I had printed this out in color back in the day and will scan them back in and attach to the thread, unless someone out there can save me the pain of the scanner () and had possibly saved them to their computer.Please post up and let me know.

Does anyone here bother to wrap their CAI tube? While it is a reflective polish finish on the Cosmo it still heatsoaks inside the compartment and will thus heat up to some degree the air inside the tube as it passes to the TB. While I went with a black rubber 3.5ID tube based home-made CAI on my GP a lot of the serious guys went with the ktis and mandrel tubing and then wrapped it in reflective insulation.

the best tape to wrap it in might be the stuff they wrape the exhaust headers in. thats if your really serious about it.

Quote, originally posted by NSimkins »I'm trying to resurrect the photos in this thread. Lancer said they were somehow removed from his cardomain site, rendering that portion of his excellent write-up in limbo.I believe I had printed this out in color back in the day and will scan them back in and attach to the thread, unless someone out there can save me the pain of the scanner () and had possibly saved them to their computer.Please post up and let me know.Well, what do you know? I found these pics stored on one of my backup hard disks from back in the day and have uploaded them to the GVC servers and updated the first post.Tada! Pics!

awsome... as soon as cosmo gets theres in ill be using that to put mine in. thanks guys!!!

Just finished intalling my injen cai and those directions were great! I didn't even have to look at the manufacturer's directions. Also, I managed to do it without taking the bumper off- all you have to do is unscrew/unnut the wheel well and reach in and stick on the filter. Theres definately a noticeable gain and the sound is sick. Thanks again for awesome directions!

thanks for the pic upload, classic pics from before lancer had SC

it's been my experience that minor mods don't have much impact. Major mods (stage 2 clutch, pushing 600hp, ect.) can reduce the value. Although they may sell higher independently with more mods.(posted after reading the bottom of page one and not realizing that there was another page. Post was in response to ragingfish's post that said, "But if I trade the car in to a dealer with all the mods on it, will that get me more money for the trade, or do those have no impact on resale value..."

Hey man i just got an intake, problem is that is used and i dont have all the parts that i might need. All i got is the intake, filter. I was reading this post and apparently i need more than that! Could you tell me what i need please

I recently got a COSMOS RACING CAI...very nice and impressive price. $145.00 .. I have a 2005 Toyota Matrix....Same as a Pontiac basically. I enjoy this forum as I get info that I can use from here as well as the Matrix owners site. I would NOT have put the CAI on if I'd have realized it would get very wet due to the mounting location in the wheel well area. However it does have benefits too. It gives me a little more torque in the lower RPM range. I didn't put it on for performance as much as effeciency. I have yet to be able to see any difference...it has only been a week. IT IS a complete BI^#H to install. I replaced the intake manifold gasket while I did this. It all took about 4 hours for me. I am old and bad back etc so I couldn't do the work like I used to when I was "OLD" LOL. I really like this Matrix. It is a nice car and much better quality than I thought a compact would be.