REDNECK CAI

This was made from a CAI pipe I had for my 2002 trailblazer that I bought on Ebay and didn't fit, so I modified it and cut the air sensor and it's pipe on either side for the factory air box. I had to buy a cone filter and an adapter, but that was only $30. now the test will be if I messed up anything.
Next on my list is a Ralliart ground wire system with voltage regulator, should receive within the next few days. Will post new pics of that too for all the people who don't have serious mods and big bucks to sink into their cars. No offense Wicked.


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sorry, second pic is duplicate.....DUH

Props on the creativity, but you're probably hurting the performance of your car by having your intake like that. First of all, the purpose of an intake is to get rid of the restrictive factory accordion pipe and restrictive paper filter. You need to get rid of the black flex tube for maximum gains.

second, the way it is right now, you are probably losing power because your filter is so close to the exhaust manifold. This negates the purpose of the intake because now you are sucking in hot hot air.

Theres nothing wrong with a homemade intake, but try to position that filter behind the battery and get rid of the flex pipe. Also, reset the ecu so that it can relearn the air to fuel ratios.

and FYI, reset is done by removing the a terminal from the battery for 1 hour

I had worries about sucking hot air in from the manifold, but wasn't sure if stuffing it behind the battery was a good option either. I figured I could always cut the pipe after, but if I did it that way first I would need a new section if it wasn't optimum. After running the car for a short time- a 15 min test run, I realized that this was going to happen. On my agenda for today is either cutting the pipe or completely removing it( from filter to air sensor). The pipe tends to retain a portion of the heat from the engine bay also, so I will likely just have the filter right off the air sensor, which would provide optimum placement behind the battery. The computer was reset. Do we need to specifically wait one hour for the reset to occur and why?
I looked at the flex tubing, but didn't have anything to replace with at the time, so I am attempting that portion today as well.
Thanks for the honesty, I had concerns when I did the switch, now I know they are valid. Appreciate the input!

the time off the power tricks the computer (i think) so when it does get rebooted. it recalibrates the airsensor for your new intake

you may want to PM JMC or outlancer, I think they have modded CAIs

I'm still working on the transition at the flex pipe at the manifold. I need to find out what the feed into the intake tube right off of the top of the engine is, its the big black plastic thing. Forgive all my technical jargon...

i'll brb with some pics of my own homemade intake....gotta go find the digi cam.

here are some pics i just took. i know its not the mivec engine, but its practically the same setup.. I made this intake in about 2 hours in my shop. just make sure you brace the intake (like I did) somwhere so its sturdy and wont move around. Mass Air Flow sensors are sensitive to vibrations and can blow out if the element inside breaks.


lemme know what you think...

There is no heat shield on the exhaust manifolds from the factory, or do you have a header? I am grossly unfamiliar with fereign engines, this is my first time tinkering a little bit. looks aftermarket though by the gauge of the metal. In any case, I have that same ground wire set and am not sure where all the wires are SUPPOSED to go. I could find a place, but where did yours ground at?
Is the intake PVC pipe?

My intake is a 3" aluminum tube that I painted flat black. It used to look like the one in your pictures, except i cut it to size and painted it. The exhaust manifold is a stock manifold, not aftermarket.

As for the grounding kit, I connected the wires to various points on the car. I tried to get the important points... like the intake manifold, the engine block, the stock battery ground, the frame, and the ecu ground. If I could reach the alternator, I would have attached to that point too. I defenitely saw an increase in MPG...about 2-3 more. Smoother idle and quicker throttle response.

Anyways, if you want pics of exactly where I grounded the points, I can take pics.

I'll probably be installing mine this Thursday or Friday, so if you can post pics that would be helpful. Are they all points that just have a bolt currently, or what determines the specific grounding points?

That looks awesome! Very good idea...I did the same thing....almost. Reset the Comp for 45 minutes only, then drive like a madman!!!! It will remember how you drive.

My car will never forget how I drive....lol computer unplug or not

no matter how we set up our intake....sucker aint going to breathe cold air. that damn engine is too tight, and to make it worst..the battery is blocking the only path for cold air.

The Engine is really tight...it's such a pain to work on.

wont even bother to buy C.A.I.'S...i, experimented w/ diff. C.A.I.'S w/ diff. angle, none of them fit to work. the only way is to extend the pipes across the header, all the way to front right , under the fender well. but hell!! thats a lot of pipes!!!

It's almost not worth it at that point!

what about a small forward facing hood scoop just in front of the air filter?

That might be a good idea..something custom no doubt!

as long as its angle from the head, then straight all the way to mass system...

I like the idea but wanted my car to appear mostly stock from the outside, thats why it's not done yet. That and having to paint to match the hood ...thus repainting the whole hood likely. Never an easy answer.

That will look sweet....I hope you get to try it out!

give em' a try and post the pics.... dont worry about the color match, just paint it black...lol

hard to find a small scoop, was hoping for a carbon fiber, but no luck. Most of them are too large, I was only thinking like a 6-8" opening. any suggestions?