CAI install HELP!!!!

[IanGT99]

Well, this always seems to happen. Whenever I wanna do something to my car, something always doesn't fit, it takes a lot longer to do than expected, and/or I end up getting really frustrated. So I'm trying to install my new Civic CAI. I got a 3" to 3" coupler, and I quickly found that it fits the tube, but not the openning on the MAF. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I actually need a 3.5" to 3" coupler, right?

Secondly, I got through all the prep work ok. I don't have a dremel tool, so I carefully used a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade to cut the piece of sheet metal that needed to come off. The first cut (closest to the wheel) went well, but I couldn't quite fit the jigsaw back in there to get the second cut done all the way through. I just used a hammer and bent the metal back to make room...it worked out ok.

Then, I tried pre-fitting the tube where it's supposed to be. The tube fit pretty well through the hole, but it seemed as if it wasn't clearing the battery enough. Do I have to move the battery up an inch or so to make it fit?

After that comes the real kicker...I got a 7" S&B powerstack cone filter online. It was a little larger than I expected when it arrived, but I thought it would be ok....sooooo wrong. The thing is a little too long to fit at the angle at which the tube is placed and the side of it won't clear the windshield washer fluid tank to allow me to get it on the end of the tube. What size filter fits????

So, I had an idea for this thing. What if I got a three inch, 45 degree bend piece of PVC, then a straight piece of 3" pipe and stuck it on the end of the CAI tube with the filter attached to that? Then, the filter will face straight down and hopefully be able to clear the washer fluid tank. I'm a little worried about it not fitting with the fenderwell cover in place...I'm just not sure. I don't think it would harm the straight-through airflow pattern with just one 45 degree bend in it. What do you guys think? Would it just be easier to send the filter back and get a 5"?

I'm very sorry I've written a novel, but I'm really lost on this and I need to get this thing on my car before I go back to school in 2 weeks. Thanks for bearing with me and helping me out...:thumbs:

[sharukhl]

Okay, i went through EVERYTHING you just mentioned when i installed mine. What you should do:

First, try and make a slightly larger opening in the fenderwell. Cut out a little bit more metal, so u have more play in the angle of the tube.

The 3" to 3" coupler should fit fine on your MAF. Make sure you have the correct coupler.

I have an S&B Powerstack widemouth 7" filter, and it is a pain to put on, so...once u work on the angle a little bit better, you should have a SLIGHTLY easier time getting it on. I don't know if all S&B filters come this way, but there should be two different clamps on the cone filter. One attaches to the civic tube, and is a piece of metal, the other is plastic and attaches to the metal piece. If possible, attach the metal piece to the civic tube, and then the filter portion of your cone to the metal piece.

If you still have any questions, u can shoot me a PM. I MIGHT have some pictures around i could send you.

[sharukhl]

Here's a pic of the metal piece attached the CAI tube in the fenderwell:
CAI Tube Piece (http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/bc/sharukh_69/vwp?.dir=/Car+Pics&.dnm=CAI+tube.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t)

[UNCTYPE-S]

i thought gt's didnt have to cut a piece of metal. only se's do i thought. hmmm

[IanGT99]

Nope, the metal tube wouldn't have fit. I sure hope I can get this damn cone filter to fit. I really like it and I don't wanna go through the hassle of sending it back. I'm gonna probably go to Lowe's tomorrow and pick up some of the right parts for it, and give it another go. Any other info that anyone else could give me would be cool.

[SikMindz]

Pull out the wheel well liner. It's the easiest way to get the S&B 7" in there. And then pull the headlight and you should have lots of room to play around in the fender.

[IanGT99]

It's not that I can't get to it to put it on the end of the tube, it's that the angle of the tube doesn't allow the width of the filter to pass the windshield wiper fluid tank. I wrestled with that thing for 10 min. today and still couldn't get it on the end of the tube....I dunno. It's just really frustrating. Thanks for the tip though. I'll try removing the headlight to see if I can't get a little better grip on it...

[SikMindz]

Ahh..I see what you're saying. Try flipping the tube around and connecting it to the MAF from the other end. I'm almost 100% sure that it will fit since I'm running the same set up.

[GrandAmGT99]

Yep....ran the same setup on my 99....like someone mentioned, cut the hole a little bigger and just mess with the angle of the tube. You'll get it, just be patient :thumbs:

[ericm555]

When I made mine I needed a really tight 90-degree bend and a slight bend when it was in the wheel. I also needed a slight bend before the MAF. A trick for those couplers is to heat them up. Put water in a bowl and put the coupler in it then put the bowl in the microwave. The steam will soften it up to get it over bigger things. (Like the MAF)
http://www.ericm555.d2g.com/pics/gaengine/Picture_0726.JPG
http://www.ericm555.d2g.com/pics/gaengine/intake.JPG

[IanGT99]

I've heard that the 7" filter is basically overkill for our cars and even that the 5" is a little too big. Even though I don't really want to do this, would it be easier for me to just send the 7" I got back and go with a 5"? It could be to the company and they could send me the 5" within a week probably. I just don't know...

[SikMindz]

If you want to wait sure...go ahead. The 7" won't hurt and the 5" may be just as wide circumference-wise as the 7"...I'm telling you I can almost guarantee that it will fit. Just take your time and give it a little elbow grease.

[IanGT99]

Thanks for all you guy's help. I finally got the thing installed today. I cut a little more metal off the side and just barely got the tube in there to the point where it fit. I love it!!! It makes my car sound so much better during acceleration and added a few ponies, also. It looks soooooo much better too. I was up at Circuit City and they had a 5" Ractive High-Flow filter for sale for $23. I went ahead and got that. I'm gonna send the $52 S&B back since the Ractive is basically the same filter, only half as expensive. Once again, thanks for all of your guy's help.