New to this but need advice on a CAI

[dianegauss]

Hi. My name is Diane, I'm new to this forum. Anyways, I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction. I am receiving a cold air intake system in the mail today for my 2000 celica gts. Are there any websites that either give text instructions on how to install this or pictures to show me what it will look like when its done so i do not mess this up?? Thanks, Diane

[Dober89]

What brand did you buy?? The company who makes it should have instructions for you but if not you could try finding one that looks similar and go over there instructions.

[KaylinSS999]

I had a problem with this too. If you go to everythingcelica.com, they have step-by-steop install. It may not give you exact directions for your brand, but it should give you a good enough of an idea that you can do it. If you need help just e-mail me [email protected]

[dianegauss]

I bought it from procarparts.com I don't think it's actually a true brand. Actually i think that it is brand-less, but i'm going to check out that website and see if it helps. Also, do i need to add anything so that water will not get sucked in if i drive through large puddles? I'm hearing so many different opinions about intakes.. do you think it is a good or bad idea to put one in? are there any serious downfalls to this addition?

[KaylinSS999]

it is a good idea cause it can give you good gains for cheap. There is the problem with water and the intakes, either don't take it out when it rains, or you can use a plastic piece (cut ouf from a two liter bottle or such) and block up the holes in the wheel well (kinda depends where you route the CAI, which is usually behind the fog light area) and the best thing you can probably do is get a like Intake bypass vavle it goes between the two CAI pipe (if its a two piece, not sure how it works if you only have a one piece) and basically the vaccuum, will open up this valve to allow air to go through when the water blocks up the CAI Filter. AEM makes one i know, like 40 buck or something. good luck

[dianegauss]

Thank you so much for your help.

[Brian R.]

Don't be surprised if it only makes your intake noise louder with no performance increase. Many of the cold-air intakes are useless or even harmful. If you have a choice at this stage, find one that some motorhead has published dyno results for that actually show a power increase. That is the only way to be somewhat confident in the results. The positive dyno results should show before and after installation with no other modifications. Otherwise, the data is useless. The power increase could be the result of the combination or just the other modification. No way of knowing.

I know it sounds good, but when it comes to performance, alot of things sound good and don't do jack - or even decrease power. IMO, don't buy anything for your car unless someone has tested it first and published results that back up the manufacturer's claim. If you want to spend money, there are better things to spend it on than a cold-air intake that is unproven.

[SigmaProjects]

yea i'm with Brian R. even sometimes the dyno claim is becuase they just used a better air filter. Also some CAI have so many bends in the intake that one could almost assume that it's robbing power. If I were you I just get a better air filter and use the extra money to buy really good spark plugs instead. For example here are a few site that I pulled off of google, I'm sure you can get a better result if you kept searching.

http://www.performanceproducts.com/P...20&partnumber=

http://store.racinglab.com/denirsparplu1.html

http://www.eautoworks.com/html/ord-a...lug-1-1817.htm

[Brian R.]

AMSOIL and TRD air filters are quite good.

[del soul]

i would definitly install a CAI but theyre right about the filters, they do mean a lot. I believe CAI's do benifit your car but only the good ones like AEM or Injen. A no namer prolly wont help you out and the top brand CAI's are only like $250

[SigmaProjects]

i really don't see how a top brand CAI is any different than a no name one, as long as it's the same passage way and same piping, how can it be different? I do agree with the air filter though, those are different.