[Ace2424]

Ok, so I've just started being interested in modding my '99 LE I4 and the first thing that came across my mind was an intake.

I found an Injen one for $180 with free shipping that looks good. Obviously, I'd switch the filter to a K&N.

I've got a few fears about doing this mod myself. Mind you, I've changed my own timing belt, drive belt, power steering belt, water pump, alternator, valve cover gasket, struts, and other regular items... but this one scares me for some reason.

Now to questions.
1. Is it hard to do and what all is involved?
2. Will my sensor go crazy and give me a lot of crap?
3. I heard something about the idle being a little weird when you first install it... but it goes away. Is that going to happen, and will it?

I assume you just unclamp the air box, take out the part that it's attached to in the wheel well (it seems like) and slap in the CAI and reattach the hoses, followed by the sensor. But is there anything I might run across that might give me issues?

Another thing I'm going to be doing. I noticed that, after changing my struts, that my coils need replacing too. (sigh) So I've been looking at Eibach "lowering" springs. They seem to run about the same, if not cheaper than the OEM springs... so aftermarket performance with a reliable name seemed like a good option. Has anyone put these in and are they good with any strut?

Also, with 198k miles... the engine has gotten a little dirty... What can I do to clean the surfaces up? I might have a leak somewhere that I need to figure out if it's an old one that I fixed with the valve cover gasket or if there is still an issue.

Thanks to any responses. I'm new here and any input would be nice.

 

[t3chnique]

man you sure right a lot.

About the intake, probably the easiest thing u will ever install besides light bulbs. Considering you've changed all those other things.
First, don't spend $180 if your just gonna throw away the filter, just get a Spectre pipe from Autozone for $40 and call it a day since your spending $60 for a better filter anyways. And they don't make a CAI for our year mind you.

1. Not hard, unclamp and unbolt everything that is stock. Bolt up new pieces and reattach hoses.
2. I worried about this problem but nothing will go crazy with sensors. No engine check light or any of that.
3. In the beginning, the engine will idle wierd because its adjusting to the difference in air flow. Let the car sit for 20 min. and it should be normal.

The install us pretty straight forward, shouldn't take more than 45 min.

As far as engine cleaning, use Engine Brite and check the DIY section.

 

[Zviator]

I dont know about NY, but it's beneficial to have the Injen CARB sticker in cali, stupid emission law errrr

 

[Ace2424]

Sorry, I meant Short Ram Intake.

What's the difference anyway?

So I'd want this:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...akeKit&categoryDisplayName=&_requestid=212267

And purchase some elbows for it? Will the sensor plug into it fine like it does the Injen one?

 

[gorckat]

I just did my 94 with Spectre parts. There's another thread around here somewhere (not in the DIY) by someone who used an aluminum (iirc) Spectre pipe/kit as well. His thread has a part list for that kit.

I used:

2.5 (or w/e the stock size is ) to 3 inch coupler
1x 45 degree elbow
1x sensor connector (2-3 inch long piece with 3 grommets for sensors)
1x 4 inch length straight pipe
1x filter
1x hose clamp (if your filter doesn't come with one- mine didn't)
1x Spectre support kit (a whole bunch of little bolts and screws and angles)
1x t-bar clamp (iirc, that's what it's called- basically the piece that the above support kit would attach to)

This is what the support looks like as I set it up. I used one of the stock bolts from the airbox and the bolt hole. beneath the box.

The individual parts have this little rubber seal that goes between them and locks into place by the couplers they use.

In place (these can be a bit of a chore- they seem a little oversized and are real finnicky and get knocked out of place easy).

Once you have the seals together and the coupler in tightened a little, look down the pipe to make sure the seal is good. You will probably mock it up in the car just to see where to hook up the brackets and how it's gonna look, but I'd recommend assembling the pieces out of the car and then installing it as a single unit.

For the sensor, keep the stock grommet. The ones that the sensor tube come with all seemed too small, so I stuck the stock grommet in the tube and t worked fine.

And this is what I got now. The big clamp and rubber ring just behind the filter is the t-bar thing that the bracket bolts to.

Total cost was like 72 bucks at Pep Boys.

ADD: That kit linked from AutoZone doesn't have the right reducer to connect to the throttle body.

Doing it again, I add another 4 inch tube before the sensor connector , or replace the 4 inch with a 6 inch to get the filter farther into the stock position.

 

['_']

A lot of the stuff you asked can be answered in a search. Anywho...

I have the Injen SRI on mine too. I had a friend help me with the install and no sensors were set off. And the CARB sticker is definitely a must for people in CA. I don't know about NY, but I have been pulled over 2 times so far (just because cops target modified vehicles). I was asked to pop my hood open and was cited for no CARB sticker on the intake, even though it is legal. The SRI is the one that is pictured, the CAI has longer piping to avoid drawing air from the engine bay.

The Eibach pro-kit springs are of good quality in my opinion. I've had them installed for ~3-4 years now with no problems so far. Not sure what struts you just installed, but I have the Eibach springs with KYB GR-2 struts. In addition, I have TRD rear sway bar which greatly improved handling.

 

[groovemasterodi]

Sort of off-topic but the harassment you guys in California get's seems completely crazy. Is it just me or does it strike anyone as about as un-American as it gets? Or am I just naive about the State's desire to use the citizens as money-farms?

 

['_']

It's pretty ridiculous. I actually fought my second exhaust ticket that I received in one year, and I won. I should have fought the first one too. I have yet to speak to an officer that is respectful and/or helpful. Most of the ones that I talked to were condescending and gave me attitude, not to mention unorganized too. I know this is off-topic, but here's a video I saw that shows what some cops do on their "job:"
http://www.vimeo.com/3183909

 

[RU2CHKN]

Eibachs are great springs they aren't too "showy" with the drop if you get the pro-kit (1.0 inch all around) but the handling is outstanding. There are other brands out there that are just as good say Tein S or H & Rs but I love the Eibachs! Lol

 

['_']

I believe the drop for the gen4 is 1.2" all around, but maybe it varies? Yeah the Eibachs are good. But now, I regret getting springs/struts (although I LOVE the TRD RSB). If I could redo the suspension, I'd definitely go with a set of coilovers, most likely the Tein SS. To this day, I've wondered why I just didn't get the CO's in the first place :disappoin. Adjustable suspension FTW.

 

[JCamry94]

Wow '_' ... what part of socal are you located?

Here's what I've gathered just from my car. With the exhaust being pretty loud, and the intake only loud when I'm up on rpm's MOST cops don't give a crap.

I've had my egay muffler on for a little less than a year and the ONLY place I have gotten stopped is in newport beach and surrounding cities (laguna, and I think dana point too). I've never been asked to pop my hood, and the times I got stopped for my "modified exhaust" they were polite and gave me only warnings. I guess we all get it differently :thumbsdow

As far as emissions go, I snap off my intake and throw in the stockie with k&n for a day and I'm good to go!

 

[JCamry94]

Sort of off-topic but the harassment you guys in California get's seems completely crazy. Is it just me or does it strike anyone as about as un-American as it gets? Or am I just naive about the State's desire to use the citizens as money-farms?

Naw dude!

If the rules were as loose as they are in Florida over here, no one would want to live in any other states! :lol:

 

['_']

Off tangent:
I love driving which is part of the reason why I enjoy commuting back and forth between Riverside/Pasadena. Riverside cops are chill for the most part, but back in Pasadena, West Covina, etc. they're looking to pull you over for anything.

Also, I'm pretty good at watching my surroundings and identifying cars. The two times I was pulled over, I made damn sure I drove cautiously/slowly while keeping the RPM's low. Unfortunately I ended up paying the first ticket which came out to $390. The second time, I told myself that I wasn't going to take any more of this sh*t from disrespectful cops, so I went ahead and fought it and won.

And just recently, I had an off-duty officer cut me off, brake check me, and give me the finger (keep in mind I wasn't driving aggressively or quickly). That about did it for me and I followed him back to his house. It only got worse from here. As I drove past his house, he started walking into the street, flashed a badge, and began calling me names like "punk a** b****" etc. He continued to say that I was "driving like an as* and that he f**ks with punks like me." Yes, those were his exact words. From what he was saying, he was pretty much admitting that he likes to start fights and intentionally messes with people like this. I'm pretty sure I smelled alcohol in his breath too. Anywho, I just left it at that and reported him to the local station. In my experience, I have only talked to a few cops who were respectful. The rest treated me like s*** which is why I don't think highly of cops in general.

Back to thread:
I guess we can conclude that the H-tech's would provide the most modest drop for the OP. As far as the intake installation goes, it's pretty easy to do. If you get the Injen SRI, it should come with instructions/pics on how to install it. Good luck.

 

[JCamry94]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTU6XFkAK74&feature=PlayList&p=2D78781C833FD38E&index=7

Check this out for installation info OP.


And @ '_'

That is terrible what happened to you man. Sounds like they're out for you :thumbsdow

 

[Ace2424]

I just did my 94 with Spectre parts. There's another thread around here somewhere (not in the DIY) by someone who used an aluminum (iirc) Spectre pipe/kit as well. His thread has a part list for that kit.

I used:

2.5 (or w/e the stock size is ) to 3 inch coupler
1x 45 degree elbow
1x sensor connector (2-3 inch long piece with 3 grommets for sensors)
1x 4 inch length straight pipe
1x filter
1x hose clamp (if your filter doesn't come with one- mine didn't)
1x Spectre support kit (a whole bunch of little bolts and screws and angles)
1x t-bar clamp (iirc, that's what it's called- basically the piece that the above support kit would attach to)

This is what the support looks like as I set it up. I used one of the stock bolts from the airbox and the bolt hole. beneath the box.

The individual parts have this little rubber seal that goes between them and locks into place by the couplers they use.

In place (these can be a bit of a chore- they seem a little oversized and are real finnicky and get knocked out of place easy).

Once you have the seals together and the coupler in tightened a little, look down the pipe to make sure the seal is good. You will probably mock it up in the car just to see where to hook up the brackets and how it's gonna look, but I'd recommend assembling the pieces out of the car and then installing it as a single unit.

For the sensor, keep the stock grommet. The ones that the sensor tube come with all seemed too small, so I stuck the stock grommet in the tube and t worked fine.

And this is what I got now. The big clamp and rubber ring just behind the filter is the t-bar thing that the bracket bolts to.

Total cost was like 72 bucks at Pep Boys.

ADD: That kit linked from AutoZone doesn't have the right reducer to connect to the throttle body.

Doing it again, I add another 4 inch tube before the sensor connector , or replace the 4 inch with a 6 inch to get the filter farther into the stock position.

Thank you so much. That helps a bunch. I took a trip to Autozone yesterday to check it out and the kit will fit fine. The "reducer" it comes with has a rubber fitting on the inside that makes it shrink to the right size that is 2.5".

I'll have to look for that t-bracket stabilizer. That was one of my questions before logging in today on here. I was wondering how it would be stable haha. Thanks a bunch. Now to save up some money.

When you attatch the hoses, do you have to buy any special fittings? Also, will they fit?

Another question. Which is better? Silvanna 4000K "whiter" headlights or the Pilot Xenon mock HID "whiter" headlights?

 

[t3chnique]

Get Sylvania Silverstars

 

[gorckat]

Thank you so much. That helps a bunch. I took a trip to Autozone yesterday to check it out and the kit will fit fine. The "reducer" it comes with has a rubber fitting on the inside that makes it shrink to the right size that is 2.5".

I'll have to look for that t-bracket stabilizer. That was one of my questions before logging in today on here. I was wondering how it would be stable haha. Thanks a bunch. Now to save up some money.

When you attatch the hoses, do you have to buy any special fittings? Also, will they fit?

Another question. Which is better? Silvanna 4000K "whiter" headlights or the Pilot Xenon mock HID "whiter" headlights?

Cool deal on the reducer- it wasn't shaped like the one I grabbed, so I assumed it was the wrong one

The support thing isn't the most robust thing in the world, but I've checked it holds the intake up just fine.

I don't know what might be different between the 94 and 99, but the only thing that I had to hook into the pipe was the air temp sensor.

EDIT: If you have a socket set with hex bits and a flathead and phillips screwdriver, you should have everything you need.

 

[Ace2424]

Cool deal on the reducer- it wasn't shaped like the one I grabbed, so I assumed it was the wrong one

The support thing isn't the most robust thing in the world, but I've checked it holds the intake up just fine.

I don't know what might be different between the 94 and 99, but the only thing that I had to hook into the pipe was the air temp sensor.

EDIT: If you have a socket set with hex bits and a flathead and phillips screwdriver, you should have everything you need.

The vacuum tubes? You didn't have any going into your airbox? I found the kit I need that goes with that intake kit anyways. So I should be fine as far as those go.

One last question about the intake. There is a little thing that has something electronic plugging into it ontop of the reservoir that the airbox tube goes into as well as the manifold. When I get rid of the reservoir... where is that piece going to go?

 

[t3chnique]

there should be 2 sensors, both go into the airbox.
Both will be reattached to the new pipe for your intake using new hoses.

 

[Ace2424]

I'm talking about this sensor:

There is no place to mount it on the Spectre intake. I'm assuming I'm going to have to make a metal piece that'll hang down for it to screw into, huh?