I'm new to the "new" car world as I just purchased a 2003 Lancer OZ. I'm coming from a '93 Civic which was OBD1 and had a very simple intake system that could be easily replaced with anything this side of the sun and only one sensor had to be relocated. I have been looking at the Lancer's intake and am totally confused at one of the items inline.

What the hell is that little box that sits right behind the filter box? I'd like to know because I want to create my own CAI out of mandrel U-pipes and post some instructions on how to do it, but I have no friggen clue how to get around that thing. It doesn't help that it's -3 degrees out so I can't play around too much.

 

That little box happens to be the MAS. Counts the incoming air. Very important piece of hardware. Treat it gently. You'll have to fashion an adaptor for the front plate. Best case for you would probably be just fabbing a down pipe after the MAS and popping a filter on that.

 

I figured that was what that thing was. It's just not warm enough for me to go outside, pop the cap off of it, and check it out myself.

I've checked out some of the aftermarket intakes and that have a bracket that attaches to it and then to the filter/pipe depending on if it is a CAI. The bracket is square at the end which attaches to the MAS box and round at the other end for the pipe/filter.

Do you think it is possible to get a CAI w/out this bracket?
Would it be possible in any way, shape, or form to get a pipe to directly connect to the MAS box?
Can the MAS come out of the box and be put in a drilled hole in a pipe with some sort of rubberized support thingy?

(yeah, my brain doesn't do car talk when i am averaging 5 hours of sleep every night)

 

i've thought about a custom cai too, but here's the catch. the MAS has to be the same length away from tb as it is now when you decide to go custom. for instance, if there's 8 inches of pipe from the MAS to the tb, then thats how much pipe you're gonna need between them on the custom intake. if it's shorter than that, then your air/fuel mixture will run rich. the opposite if its longer. if you have fuel management, then you can put it where ever you want.

if you're talking about just drilling a hole in the airbox and attach a pipe to it, piece of cake. making your own MAS adapter is possible with a bit of creativity. someone used some kinda of rain drain or something and it worked.

had an old car that used a MAP sensor also a while back. CAI for those back then took half an hour with a U-pipe and a hack saw. not that easy with the lancer.

 

thanks for the awesome information . at least now i know it can be done. it may be a little more difficult to make the custom one knowing that, but at least now i know it can be done. i plan on starting the project in a week and i'll keep everyone updated with parts lists and step-by-step instructions.

any idea how large the opening to the intake manifold is? i'm guessing it's around 2.5", but i'd just like to make sure i get the correct size piping.

 

I believe that's the size of the pipe I have on my Injen... so, that should be about the same.

I'd not try to do this without the brackets, since there is quite a bit of vibration, and if that pipe is going every where and hitting things.. not a good thing.

 

i was referring to the bracket between the MAS box and the filter/extended piping. i don't think i would dare leave the piping and filter just sitting there hanging by a thick rubberband and hose clamp. but i appreciate the heads up.

 

You mean the air duct for "COLD AIR" well if you plan on keeping your air box I would leave that thing there because it already recieves cold air; otherwise replace the entire intake.

 

Give livelyjay a . Smart man coming over to the .
I think you'll find that AEM and Injen cold air intakes have locations for that MAS sensor and it shouldn't be too hard to install. Good luck guy.

 

Thanks for the . I do miss the wide range and high level of availability for the Civic, but having a brand new car is just so nice. Plus now maybe I'll be able to do some things a little differently and not have a couple thousand others with the same thing done to their car.

I think if I don't just buy a short ram from a reputable company, I'm going to search around the local performance places to find the MAS adapter bracket and build one myself. Hell, if I do buy the short ram, it shouldn't be too hard to build a cold air extension for it.

 

Jay

Since you have nice cold weather, like me in CT, try this.... Good pic for the MAS adapter also....

Ebay intake

Not bad for 47 bux shipped..... I have it and it runs like a beast. I am relocating it before summer to the space below the driver headlight. Exactly how AEM runs theirs......

 

There have been at least two people on this forum that got the same intake you have, and they both complained of it breaking. You get what you pay for and I'm not going to throw away $45+ on something that's going to break.

 

If I remember correctly THEY broke it upon install. Usually happens when you overtighten the MAS adapter (since it is plastic).....

No worries, to each his own

 

yikes, the MAS adapter is plastic? no thanks, i'd like to get something a little more durable if i at all possible.

 

www.driverfx.com

do a search for the lancer, and then intakes. they sell a metal MAS adaptor by Vibrant for about 14 buckaroos.

i'm with yannotmi on this one. those who had problems with this kind of intake, broke it themselves, or like one guy, never fastened it to anything and it vibrated apart. just be careful with the install (as with any install), and you'll be fine.