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DIY CAI Q's.

2K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  wolverine10  
#1 ·
Moderators can close this after it gets answered. I searched last week quite a bit on this but feel that I still need two questions answered.

1) a. Will the AEM bypass valve work with the DIY CAI or will I need to make one?

b. If I have to make one, are there any instructions?

c. If the AEM will work, where's a store that carries it?

d. Can you tell me where the bypass valve itself goes on the car CAI? Between the filter and pipe?

2) Do the instructions found here vary any from what I'll use/need/do with my 5SFE Camry?

I'm guessing it's possible that the sensor's position could vary from the Delsol and my Camry.

Thanks again, everyone.
I'm excited, my CV joints/boots are getting replaced by the end of this week and I'll be ready to start doing some serious work with it. :)
 
#3 ·
I have one more question. While looking under the hood, it seems that the Camry uses an "air cleaner" instead of an "air filter."
Are these two things one in the same?
(ie: will I remove the air cleaner when I put the CAI in?)

Thanks again.
 
#4 ·
Yep you'll have to remove the air cleaner to put on your cai. The air cleaner is just a fancy name for the air box. The AEM bypass valve will fit on your custom cai so long as your pipe is the same diameter as the valve. I got an el prototypes cai for my 89 3sfe and it works great, you don't even need a bypass valve because the filter is so well covered by the rain guard and hydrolock only occurs when serious amounts of water get on the filter. EL Prototypes should be able to make a cai for you for about $160. Being that your 5sfe is essentially the same as my 3sfe perhaps the intake from mine will work on yours with minimal modification. you can check em out at www.elprototypes.com Hope this helps ya out. :cool:
 
#5 ·
Thanks, that helps a lot. :)
So where does the CAI route then? Under the battery or over it?

I'm thinking under would be the easiest, because then it won't obstruct the battery itself, but I'm unsure. I think I'm going to do a search in hopes of finding some info on it. Thanks again. :)
 
#7 ·
89SV21 said:
The cai goes around the top of the battery and then into the fenderwell. It fits really well and was pretty easy to install. The sound is really amazing too, nice and deep.
Thanks a lot. How're the performance gains? I'm not too concerned with the sound, but more-so with the performance.

I'm looking for some lower RPM punch. Higher RPM with the ECT enabled, I get tons of punch, but lower RPM, my 5SFE's a bit slouchy.

For reference, I'm planning on using the AEM 2.5" airfilter and the AEM 2.5" bypass valve. I'm still wondering how I'm going to keep it solidly attached. I know someone else posted this, so I figured when the time comes, I'll search. :)

I wish Friday would get here sooner (pay day). :D
 
#8 ·
Well on the butt dyno the performance gains are pretty damn good. The cai definitely gives you the low-mid rpm power gains that you're looking for. I noticed that the throttle response is improved and that the car seems to pull harder. BTW the cai sounds the best at around 4K rpm because its at the hp and tq peaks. Definitely the best thing i've put on my car so far.
 
#11 ·
epborden said:
Read:

Moderators can close this after it gets answered. I searched last week quite a bit on this but feel that I still need two questions answered.


I don't like to flame, but your comment was perhaps the most ignorant of any I've come in contact with in a long time, in any sort of forum, whether it be audio, computer or car.