Check your ecotec!

I just pulled the part of the air intake that clamps directly to the throttle body off today and guess what? The part the PCV breather hose clamps on to was broken off. Because the hose is so short, it's not something you'd notice if not looking for it. I use synthetic oil and change it every 5-7k miles, but it was getting dirty way too fast for such a clean engine. Probably from sucking in dirty air. I remember another member had the same problem.

What I ended up doing was buying a 3/8 (NPT) to 1/2 inch (barbed) nylon fitting ($.69 from the hardware store - plumbing section and a 3/8" NPT tap. Drilled out the hole to 37/64" (I think - do whatever the tap says on it.). The thread the hole and clean it up really good, making sure to get all the plastic out. Then test fit the nylon fitting (I had to run the tap in and out a couple times to get it cut deep enough, the plastic just kept bending out and not being cut very good). After you get a good fit, apply some 2 part epoxy to the threads. I used a 3M epoxy mixer cup, very similar to JB weld. Only used it cuz it's what we have a the shop. I'm sure anything would work. I used it to (a) seal the threads, and (b) because the plastic is so thin I didn't want the threads to pull out later.

I think the reason it breaks is you get a bit of oil back through that hose which softens the plastic and it breaks. Easy $8 fix (including the tap), hopefully the engine oil stays cleaner.

Yeah dude, I've been noticing that my intake has been really short and because of that the lip of the intake is receding/bending. I haven't been noticing that it's dirty though, what specifically should I look for? I'm also just going to make myself a CAI from the K & N typhoon diagrams. Would you have any advice for that?

Edit: I'm an idiot and misread what you said was dirty lol. But yeah I replace mine with valvoline max life every 3000 miles. It could also be your oil filter, I've seen some really shitty oil filters out there. I use wix and it works very well for me.

what specifically should I look for?

Not sure if all of your original post was rescinded by your edit, but if not, the little ~4" hose that goes from the valve cover to the box directly over the throttle body. The side on the plastic box will probably be pressed against the box making it look like it's connected. There was obvious dirt in the crack when I pulled the air intake off, probably like that since I bought the car since that's the first time I'd had it off. The plastic was so soft around and below there it was bending into a square hole when I turned the tap in. I'll be installing a supercharger pretty soon, otherwise I'd probably be replacing that box.

No advice on building the CAI, never done anything like that. I do have a couple (hopefully obvious) "do not dos" that I have seen on customers cars. DO NOT make a tube out of chicken wire and cover it with what looked like paper mache (sp?). No joke, someone did that. DO NOT leave the IAT sensor hanging, especially if it touches something very hot. DO NOT run it to directly behind the radiator.

I use Kasite filters, made on the same line as Hastings and Wix. I'm 99% sure that it was just dirty because it was sucking in dirt. I drive on a lot of gravel, and 90% of my driving is in the country which can be pretty dusty no matter what road you're on.

Ah ok, yeah I've seen some crazy shit like that; where some dude used a beer can to replace some pipe for the exhaust.