Thought I would share my little experiment. This is a cheaper to implement, cheaper to maintain, quickest to install with the no risk of messing with the MAF Sensor, Ram Air Intake.

Use the works filter. ( Its the cheapest option so far )

Remove the right side of the air box. ( standing in front of the car looking into the engine bay. )

Take one metal, screw style pipe clamp ( $1.29 )

Strap the works filter to the left side of the OEM existing air box.

Viola! You now have a Ram Air Intake with a reusable filter and a heat shield with the stock cold intake piping still intact, for less than $132.00

No CEL and if you need to go to the dealer it takes 1:30 to go back to entirely stock.

I'll take some pics and vids this weekend.

On a side note: Be sure to remove the plastic that rests across the front of the car under the hood and above the radiator. It restricts air from getting through the grill and up over the motor. You need to get that cooler air through the grill, over the motor and sucked back down where the header is by the low pressure system created from the underside of the car when moving.

 

That is a good idea.

 

You are aware that this hurts the efficiency of the radiator, correct? That plastic is there so air is forced through the radiator. Not because is evil and wanted to hurt performance...

 

yes. I was gonna mention that there could be a draw back to cooling. This is a non technical observation but if you look at the hood as it closes, it makes an ok seal on the front engine frame. Removing the plastic basically eliminates the slits or vents in front of the stock intake but doesn't do a whole lot for the rest. Ive had the plastic off for a couple months and have watched the temp ( not the most accurate I know ) but Ive never seen it move beyond its standard position. Its not exactly been hot in DC yet so this test / observation is ongoing.

Does the added flow of air over motor compensate for the loss of forced air pressure on the radiator? I don't know.
Does letting the cooler air flow over the motor to the intake compensate as well? I don't know.
Does the trip over the motor kill any cooler air effects? I don't think so. While driving, air would be moving fast enough to avoid any significant temp change.

Is the variance so slight in makes no difference? I don't know.

Any thoughts from others?

 

If you're using the gauge on the INFO screen, then yeah, it's 100% worthless. Those are called "idiot gauges" because they have to be understandable by idiots. You can only get 3 readings from that stock gauge - "not warm yet," "warm" and "too hot!"

 

is still evil, but the plastic does serve a purpose

 

I was thinking of trying to whip up a way to fab an intake port somewhere on the front of the grill and put the plastic back on. Any ideas?

 

elpoole, i was planning on attempting this last summer but never got around to it. i wanna try this summer. i still gotta see if the filter would fit in that area. Also, im not sure how i like the idea of the filter being directly exposed to rain dust bugs rocks flying at the front of the car.

 

I don't know why people arn't just customizing tubing for a CAI. I made one with a bendable air duct, custom sensor housing, and intake filter support. It took me 2 hours but hey i saved $400.
And if you're thinking that it looks ugly it only looks as good as your craftsmanship.

 

hi elpoole, do you notice any improvement at all? How does it compare with stock filter, Works filter, and Works filter w/o air-box

 

bump, where are the pics of this

 

Do you have pics of this?

 

pictures please, and where can i find works filter? im very new to cars

 

^^ www.worksevo.com

 

I didn't take pictures, sorry guys.

I put the air box back on cause it was just to loud for. from stock air box to this setup makes a noticeable difference though. If its that confusing maybe Ill put it back on and take pics. But really just follow the description and you got. There are no tricks.