Bigger Intake Question!!

Got a 2002 V6-3100 Malibu. I've seen those "Cold Air Intake" kits on E-Bay for 30 bucks. By removing the stock air filter box and placing a short 3" diameter aluminum tube and K&N cone air filter on, do I run any risks of ruining the engine with the higher air flow? I have replaced the muffler with a Flowmaster 80 series to reduce backflow. It's the standard 2.5" in and dual 2.5" out and it sounds great with some minor HP increase but I want more!!! (without killing the car!)

The only possible risk you could run into is a little more dirt could possibly get into the engine, nothing to worry about. That is a very slim chance though, on my car I am running RSM Cold Air intake with a K&N filter and have had no problem.

BTW what is the exhaust piping size? Is it 2.5 all the way back because I was thinking about replacing the exhaust on my car also but I cant find the pipe size.

I have the 3100-V6 and in there it's 2.5" all the way back from the cat. I dunno what it is on the 2.4L but I imagine since it's GM it's probably the same. The flowmaster is absolutely sweet on the 6 but not sure how it'll sound on the 4 cylinder since its really made for a V8. Either way good luck to ya, you already have the horizontal positioned muffler so the 80 fits nicely and out of view cept the two stainless steel tips. Thanks for your help.

BTW - If I'm wrong about the exhaust pipe size on your 2.4L, take a piece of string about 3 inches long (enough to make only one complete wrap around the pipe). Hold one end on the pipe and wrap it around until the remaining string around the pipe comes around to your finger. Make a mark where the string being wrapped comes back to your finger. Then measure the end of the string to the mark on a ruler and that's the diameter of your pipe. Hope that's a help.

Hey how does that Flowmaster sound on your Malibu? I have an '01 3.1 V6 I have been thinking about exhaust but I don't want something that sounds like a chainsaw or weedeater like all these Honda's I see buzzing around.

gapboi,

Man, if you want to emulate the throaty sound of a Camaro V8 then the 80 series is definitely your choice. It has a very deep throaty sound and does NOT sound like the Honda's and other rice burners out there. It truely sounds like old-school American muscle. The only thing I don't like too much is the interior sound is loud but you deal after a week of listening to it. On the highway you won't hear it too bad. If you like loud and throaty beefy sound throw the Flowmaster 80 series on!!!

Thanks for the info. Where did u get urs and how much do they go for? I am pretty handy with a welder and i have access to a lift so i should be able install it myself.

To be honest, I got mine on e-bay for 50 bucks and the install for me was 100 but if you can do it yourself, you'll make out like a bandit. I love e-bay but make sure you really read the description. Do you or anyone else have any first hand knowledge of high airflow intakes?

Do you or anyone else have any first hand knowledge of high airflow intakes?

What else do you need to know?

I have heard a rumor somewhere that the cold air intake kits for Civics will fit the Malibu without any mods. I am not sure if this is true or what year Civics they are talking about. I bought a "intake off e-bay for $15.00 including shipping and handling. It is a cone filter with a polished aluminum tube and a blue rubber coupler. Makes for an awesome sound at full throttle. Not a big differnce on pwer on the take off but at highway speeds pick up is great and better gas mileage too. Takes about 20 minutes to install. You have to remove the battery to get to the screws holding in the factory airbox. Pull all that crap out out screw in the tube to the MAFS and put on the filter then the battery and you are good to go. It is not a true cool air intake since it is feeding air from under the hood. I left the factory air chute that comes in to the engine compartment so that it kind of makes a ram air of sort straight to the filter.

Do you need to get one exactly for the malibu or would one for a Cavalier work?

K&N recomends every 15,000 but you just have to clean and oil them and then you can use the filter again.