7aFE CAI placement, Building a custom CAI, need placement ideas. Options

[phonex98]

SO a buddy of mine works ina metal shop, and just recieved some primo scrap metal, nicely polished stuff (dont ask why its scrap), and has agreed to make me a Cold air intake. Now, since im building it myself, i can place the end of it anywhere, and i was wondering where the "best" spot is. I know the further away from the engine the better (to a certain degree anyways... the longer the tube, the harder it is to suck air), but anywhere in specific ? Im concerned about getting rain in there, as i live in vancouver BC (one of the rainiest cities in canada). Any feedback would be amazing, as im still a car newbie.

This post has been edited by phonex98: Mar 27, 2006 - 11:49 PM

[j0e_p3t]

something like this works pretty well. gt cai. i recently discovered that it also works for the st.

[LewFX]

i say make it like the injen brand, a medium or short ram, if you go long, you might want to invest in the bypass valve, how many inches is the piping gonna be?, i have a 2.5" bypass valve that will fit a 2.25" piping. the bypass valve will help you from hydrolock, or sucking up any water.

[JFrost9]

To actually answer your question, put it in the fender. Most people with celicas and CAIs put them in the drivers fender. If water is really an issue, try Lews idea.

[LewFX]

fender is too long of a throttle response, but yes dont worry about the water unless you drive in deep puddles.

[phonex98]

something like this works pretty well. gt cai. i recently discovered that it also works for the st.

Did you physically notice any preformance enhancements, or did the engine just purr more ?

i say make it like the injen brand, a medium or short ram, if you go long, you might want to invest in the bypass valve, how many inches is the piping gonna be?, i have a 2.5" bypass valve that will fit a 2.25" piping. the bypass valve will help you from hydrolock, or sucking up any water.

I was under the impression that a bypass valve was used in conjunction with a turbo ? Are you saying that it has a secondary function applicable to my case (i dont have a turbo.Its a '94 ST)? Also, can you clarify what you mean by too long of throttle response ? Do you mean that when i hit the gas, the longer the pipe is, the longer the delay till i feel any power ? (Please excuse my limited engine knowledge, im learning still )

Thanks for all your replies!

[j0e_p3t]

something like this works pretty well. gt cai. i recently discovered that it also works for the st.

Did you physically notice any preformance enhancements, or did the engine just purr more ?

i've had both a sri and the cai that i have installed now. there is a slight delay in throttle response with my cai, but its not so much to make a difference. and i also noticed a higher top end speed with the cai, but again, not so much to make a really huge difference. but yeah... the engine has a nice growl to it, especially when hitting those high revs.

[95CelicaST]

I was under the impression that a bypass valve was used in conjunction with a turbo ? Are you saying that it has a secondary function applicable to my case (i dont have a turbo.Its a '94 ST)? Also, can you clarify what you mean by too long of throttle response ? Do you mean that when i hit the gas, the longer the pipe is, the longer the delay till i feel any power ? (Please excuse my limited engine knowledge, im learning still )Thanks for all your replies!

You are thinking of a Blow off valve, which can also be called a bypass valve, but not what we are talking about.

What the intake bypass is, is a secondary air filter on your intake piping. Generally put at the first Coupler on the intake. (minus the one on the throttle body, about where my Distributor is in the pic below)If for some god-awful reason your main filter is submerged, or is clogged with water, the bypass valve one will continue bringing in filtered air, preventing hydrolocking your engine and saving the day!

This is how my intake is set up..


From underneath the car..


I live in Washington, where we have rain for a good... oh. I dont know...1/3-1/2 the year. No problems for me, but when I get my coilovers installed I am going to need to go get one.

[phonex98]

Thanks 95CelicaST. That cleared up a bit of confusion. And yea, washington weather is very similar to vancouver, unfortunately

[LewFX]

thats asking for it down that low. what size piping did you use?

[95CelicaST]

what size piping did you use?

2 1/2. Same size as the TB.