i see everybody talking about its easier to build your own cai instead of buying one, but how do you do it ? and is it hard to do and worth the effort, instead of just buying one ?

Buy the wizaired cai it gives the best gains than everyother one.

I don't believe anyone said it's "Easier" to build your own, nothing is easier then typing in some credit card numbers into pfyc.com or other - But it's definately "Cheaper" to build your own.

I agree Wizaired is probably the best you can buy, but if you want the "Stock look" Consider the SLP, I don't think realistically the gains are all that different between the 2 anyway.

For the record, I'm very happy with my SLP, I can definately here the air being sucked in, It's a little "Nasaly" when cold, but that doesn't last very long and only proves it's working

Cheers!

Do you have a link or source where we can get what you are talking about?

http://www.slponline.com/ Heres a link to SLP.

I think there's a link on Herc's site. If not, Austin would also have more info.

I made my own. Used some cardboard, reflectix, and foil tape.

Here\'s a short explaination of what I did.

http://tacgp.clubgp.com/custom_mods/fenderwell_intake/index.html

this is a link to Herc's page

[url]http://zzperformance.com/products1.php?id=247&PHPSESSID=6919acf65bc28f2d429a953b8ed738dd[url] This is the link to wizaired CAI.

Note: This is for a FWI.

Shorten the tube and you can keep the filter inside the engine compartment. That's what I did. Then built the reflectix box.

how big around the cone do you make the box ?

I didn't do any measuring, I just eyeballed the whole thing.

i think the wizaired may look the most professional...
austins looks pretty cool though..!
i like seeing the huge bad-ass cone filter though

Hello,

If you do a search for CAI, you will find a plethora of information....Including pictures.

FWIW....Here's a picture of my Homemade box.
I did no measuring, so I don't have any numbers to give.
What I did was cut up some cardboard and made a "template" out of that. After being satisfied with the bottom and sides, I cut 1/4" plexi-glass accordingly and still ended up doing a lot of trimming. Once the bottom and sides were complete(making sure a lid was going to sit properly, I made a template for the top, and cut the plexi accordingly.

If you make your own, please let the rest of us see. It's always nice seeing new creations.

Later now,
Clint

Nice job Clint.

so really its just pretty much getting a cone, shortening the tube and building what ever box you want around it to keep put the hot air from the engine out? cuse i do wanna build my own, to make it custom to my car.

Tried acouple ones on my other GP's. Found that I like the Thrasher the best. And with the 9" cone, it works great.

now this is kind of a dumb question.. can you get the tubing fromt he tb to the cone anywhere ? and how bout the 9" cone can you get that at a local auto store ? how did you mount the box to the car ? and last one, did you only have to cut a hole for the sensor or is there more holes i have to cut ?

There are no dumb questions, just dumb answers. :silly:

Had to do it.

You buy the tubing pre-made from vendors, like pfyc.com. Another option you have is going to your local hardware store and getting some pvc and cutting it to length. Yes, you will have to drill a hole for the sensor. The pre-made ones are already cut out.

Hope that helps.

http://www.pfyc.com/store/merchant.mv?Sc...ry_Code=GPUNDER

is that what i need to get started building my box ? sorry for so many questions im 18 and just starting to get in to car modding and such. and what other accessories will i need ? or just follow what the site says ? and then buy the right amount a plexi ?

You dont need that exactly. The products in the kit from pyfc can be bought at a local hardwar/plumping/lumber store for 1/4 the price. Thats a good start.-( Check out hercs link for the exact parts)- Follow their posted directions for the plexi, im not sure what size is needed since i used a roll of aluminum and rivets to costruct mine. Pretty much you design the rest. Cardboard as the others suggested, is the best way to make a mock up and used to trace everything onto plex,metal, or whatever suites your need.

What other ones did you try?

From looking at the sites, it APPEARS that Wizaird has the best performance.

For my IAT sensor I drilled a hole just a tad smaller then the sensor in the rubber boot and pushed the sensor in. Holds great and seals better then the OE.

thanks everyone, i appreciate all the help, im gonna try to do it this week end, if i have time and if i get it done, i'll post some pics to see how i made out. and one quick question..... did crimpton use tinted plexi ? or did he do that him self ?

I say tinted but you can let him answer or PM him.

two more questions, i think you answered it already but what thickness of plexi did everyone use ? and is there somewhere i can get a diagram of the left front wheel well ? i have an idea and wanna c if it can b done

Hello,

To answer a few of your questions.....

I used 1/4" plexiglass.
The top is smoked...I bought it that way.
The only other passage you need to worry about is your PCM harness if you plan on housing the computer inside the box, as I did.
I did not mount the box to anything...It's basically floating, and has been with no problems for about 4 years.
The pipe is ABS with a rubber coupling from the Home Depot.
The IAT has an extension on it, and is zip tied to the fender bracket in front of the filter.
I used 1/2" sheet metal screws with brass cabinet brackets to join the pieces. I've seen a cleaner way of doing it by doubling up the Plexi where the mounting screws need to hold, also having to use longer screws. No brackets needed.
Be sure to predrill any holes, and test your predrills on a piece of scrap. Make sure your screws aren't going to split the plexi.
I used a rotozip for the curved cuts, and a skillsaw for straight cuts. Watch your eyes....Plexi likes to fly while being cut. And it hurts sometimes...I'd hate to end up with a piece in the eye.
If you can find a shop that specializes in plastics, you may be able to get the plexi for cheap....I paid $1 a pound for mine.

Anymore questions, feel free to ask.

Later now,
Clint

OK THANKS FOR THE HELP EVERYONE. I HAVE AN IDEA OF COMBINING A FWI AND A CAI. I'LL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT WORKS AND I'LL POST PICS OF DURING THE BUILD AND AFTER IM DONE WHEN ITS IN MY CAR.

on the topic....
im wondering what the technical reason is for my wizaired being extremely loud when i just start my car and its idling. then when i drive it down the street it all of a sudden gets quiet at a certain point, then quiets down to almost nothing even when i idle again...

if you get forced air, or forced cold air into your box will that hurt anything ? or will it help, or it just plain old wont matter ? i need to know for my idea because i dont know some answers and by building what i have in mind i dont want to hurt the car or any thing like that. and is it ok if i drove around without the diagnal brackets from the engine compartment on ? i really appricate the help everyone.

I don't know the scientific reason why but it's normal.

That godawful noise when cold is the EGR valve working. Perfectly normal. That's one reason GM put that awful intake set up in. No one would buy a car that sounds like these do with free'er flowin intakes.

Forcing cold air in won't hurt anything. As for the brackets I wouldn't drive without them for very long. They help to stiffen the front end and obsorb energy in a collision reducing personal injury.

Except for a few people.

Got to ask but what inlet size on a 3" pvc intake for a 9" cone? Or is there only one size and I'm just brain dead right now?

Hello,

If you are ordering a filter, you will ask for a 9" cone with a 4" connector.

The size of the filter is referring to the length, not the connector size. There is also a 7" filter available in cone. The connector size also comes in 3.5" IIRC, in both sizes.


This is one square MM in the 3" pipe - ( )
This is one square MM in the filter - (X)

If the filter were only 3" in diameter, you wouldn't be able to draw much air through it....The stock filter has much more area then a 3" circle, and it doesn't flow as well as some people like.
With the restriction of the filter, you need to compensate by allowing more area.

Later now,
Clint

just to keep u guys updated i haven't built it yet but when i do i'll post pics. im still designing it and it been raining almost everyday here so i hope to get it done soon. and i can get my friend to do the u-bend delete for free. i guess next i need a new pcm, huh ?

A downpipe or the PCM is good.
You can go either with a DHP or Intense PCM. About 60% or so favor DHP based on tons of threads from here and ClubGP.

yeah, you'll need to get a 3" D/P on your list soon. If you're going to swap out your pulley, or if you already did, you'll want a D/P.

people here seem to favor intense, i think.

HEY! UPS TRACKING SAYS MY INTENSE IS GOING TO GET HERE TOMOROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I think most here run the I-PCM. I had a minor issue with mine when I first got it. Intense sent me a new one UPS next day.

Zull, when you install your new PCM you may notice the car runs a little rough, and a little harder to start. This is normal. It will clear up within a day or so.

sweet thanks bobby