RPM CAI Install

[WyoSyclone]

I was going to do a full install log with step by step pics but figured not enough people are running a Stage1 turbo for it to be much good. So, here are some pics of my install. I think my solutions for the radiator overflow line and factory tranny cooler line worked out pretty good.

And like I said in another thread.... it sounds like the Hoover from Hell, ready to suck up small children, pets, small adults, etc. I'll take a vid tonight or tomorrow morn so you can hear what I'm talking about. This Winter I'll build a fiberglass enclosure for the air filter and a scoop beneath the front cladding to keep the heat out and direct some more cool air in

Trial fit... CAI tubing is one inch too long headed towards fender and points up just a hair too much.

My solution for keeping the factory tranny cooler line intact while making room for the tubing. I did have to clearance the CAI tubing about 1/2 inch by stuffing my lead shot bag inside the tubing and peening the correct clearance.

The radiator overflow tube was almost up against the CAI tubing. I found this Ford or Chrysler radiator elbow at the parts store... nice fit and solved the problem.

I've never been real fond of the aftermarket overflow tanks and wanted to re-use the factory one. I cut some spacers from 1/2 teflon and mounted them to factory holes in the fender using c-clips, then screwed the tank into the teflon. It's not level but it performs its function like it should.

Mike had said something in another post about removing the PCV 'T' on the passenger's side valve cover. I didn't like that idea, so just got a stainless breather, re-ran the PCV line towards the firewall, installed the breather, and made sure the line angled down towards the valve cover so any condensed oil would drain back down towards the motor.

Finished and buttoned up... the CAI tubing here has been cut one inch shorter and rewelded. I'll be removing it this winter to do some cosmetic tweaking.

Short video walk around of the install...

 

[cloneman315]

Re: RPM CAI Install

Rob don't you think those type of cai just suck in warm under hood heat?Good idea with the brass fittings,I was going to do a before and after when I had a open element and then switched to a sealed box and never got around to do it,wanted to see the temp difference of the ambient air

 

[WyoSyclone]

Re: RPM CAI Install

Rob don't you think those type of cai just suck in warm under hood heat?Good idea with the brass fittings,I was going to do a before and after when I had a open element and then switched to a sealed box and never got around to do it,wanted to see the temp difference of the ambient air

Yup, that's why I'll be building the fiberglass enclosure for the element. I'll build an aluminum dividing wall that sits between the element and the turbo and seal it against the hood and inner fender, then the fiberglass piece will be a separate enclosure that is sealed to the fender openings. I have lots of logs on intake temps so it will be easy to see what effect the before/after has.

 

[warmpancakes]

Re: RPM CAI Install

you should build 2 enclosures

 

[cloneman315]

Re: RPM CAI Install

Be nice to know the actual numbers,never understood why people leave open elements under the hood,they should be called hot air intakes,post the before and after numbers,I'm curious

 

[WyoSyclone]

Re: RPM CAI Install

you should build 2 enclosures

In essence what I build will be just that Ken. I've been researching thermal insulating barriers tonight. I may just do a double wall aluminum enclosure with a foam-core type board sandwiched in between (same stuff NASA uses on the external fuel tank on the shuttles).

I'm going to get my remote thermometers out tomorrow and go for a few drives documenting underhood temps.

 

[Sean Krupa]

Re: RPM CAI Install

Suprised you didn't polish the CAI pipe. Also, where are you going to put the Alky tank? You should get a Catch can like mine. Looks good Rob!

 

[WyoSyclone]

Re: RPM CAI Install

Suprised you didn't polish the CAI pipe. Also, where are you going to put the Alky tank? You should get a Catch can like mine. Looks good Rob!

Hey Sean.. I've got a little surprise in store for the CAI over the winter.... going to do something I haven't seen anyone on here do.

I've been looking at the alky tank situation... I may do a little re-engineering on that as well. I do have and AGP catch can but just couldn't find a place to put it that looked 'right'. Yours looks good. The one I have is shaped a bit differently and mounts differently. I'm going to go with the KISS principle on this part of it till I see a need to do something different. Good luck at the track this Friday - I'm anxious to see what type of times you run.

 

[WyoSyclone]

Re: RPM CAI Install

Suprised you didn't polish the CAI pipe. Also, where are you going to put the Alky tank? You should get a Catch can like mine. Looks good Rob!

Ah, one thing you'll like.
I discovered that down behind the factory oil filter housing is an opening in the inner fender. It has a punched hole to accept a factory c-clip. The opening in the fender is big enough to accept the horn. You can just take the mounting clip from the stock horn location, move it to the new location, move the horn, and you have an invisible horn! The horn even points downward so it won't fill up with water. It really cleans up that part of the bay.

 

[Sean Krupa]

Re: RPM CAI Install

I had my CAI setup like this a couple years ago. My dad originaly had the KB setup and made this custom Aluminum pipe. He had the KB Fiberglass Shield on it to. I didn't like the Shield and found it made more power without it.

I wanted the Intake more simple and thought looked cleaner. I used the little Odessey Battery and lowered the Battery tray a bit. Plus the turbo whistle is louder with just the Filter after the Elbow.

That Stage 1 Turbo looks great in your engine bay. Can't wait to see you get the potential out of it with the Alky. And get a video of the :turbo: Spool!

 

[vinnieTy]

Re: RPM CAI Install

Wyo - im a little confused. You said the CAI from RPM was a little off does that mean you bought it like that or you created one yourself that had the same style?

 

[nonova0074]

Re: RPM CAI Install

I didnt have to trim mine it fit in there just right

 

[WyoSyclone]

Re: RPM CAI Install

Wyo - im a little confused. You said the CAI from RPM was a little off does that mean you bought it like that or you created one yourself that had the same style?

I didnt have to trim mine it fit in there just right

Sorry for the confusion guys. The RPM kit fits perfectly with a factory turbo. I'm running the RPM Stage1 turbo, which is a bit different in size and placement. I used the RPM CAI piping, but sliced the 1 inch out of it and rewelded it, clocked slightly different. It would have been a major PIA to do without the RPM kit.

 

[WyoSyclone]

Re: RPM CAI Install (driving vid added)

Re: RPM CAI Install (driving vid added)

Just putting up a little vid of driving the Sy after the install. The camera doesn't pick up the sound of the CAI too well. In person it is very loud. The ticking sound at the beginning isn't the motor - it's part of my camera mount bouncing against the back window.

Be forewarned..... you will see bugs on the windshield, an ugly license plate in the front window, and some rattling noises from the camera mount - as well as some bouncy video.... all-in-all a truly amateurish attempt at making a video!

Just click on the pic below...

 

[Sean Krupa]

Re: RPM CAI Install

Beautiful view! Sounds good. How much boost was on that run?

 

[WyoSyclone]

Re: RPM CAI Install

Beautiful view! Sounds good. How much boost was on that run?

17lbs on that run... zero to 95mph. Yup, the weather here to day is beautiful.

 

[Throws]

Re: RPM CAI Install

What does the included catch can for the coolant look like?

-P

 

[turbodig]

Re: RPM CAI Install

Yup, that's why I'll be building the fiberglass enclosure for the element. I'll build an aluminum dividing wall that sits between the element and the turbo and seal it against the hood and inner fender, then the fiberglass piece will be a separate enclosure that is sealed to the fender openings. I have lots of logs on intake temps so it will be easy to see what effect the before/after has.

The KB kit attempted to do this, but fell on 2 problems:

The enclosure wasn't nearly large enough, and created a restriction.

While they did include plates to seal off the fender, most guys never read that far into the instructions, or never thought it was a big deal, so they got left off. This negated any hope of "Cold Air".


Personally, I wouldn't get so fancy with the steel plates, and find some flat black plastic to fill all the holes where engine compartment air can get into the fender cavity. This effectively makes the entire fender a cool air duct.

Some sort of a deflector could be made to route incoming cool air to the bottom opening of the fender, on the back side of the cladding. You'd never get a ram air effect from this, but at least you'd get a good flow of outside air.

This would be a good use for hood vents, if people were into that... you could position the vent above the airbox/enclosure,and have it seal to the hood. This would be a more direct source of cool air.

 

[WyoSyclone]

Re: RPM CAI Install

The KB kit attempted to do this, but fell on 2 problems:

The enclosure wasn't nearly large enough, and created a restriction.

While they did include plates to seal off the fender, most guys never read that far into the instructions, or never thought it was a big deal, so they got left off. This negated any hope of "Cold Air".


Personally, I wouldn't get so fancy with the steel plates, and find some flat black plastic to fill all the holes where engine compartment air can get into the fender cavity. This effectively makes the entire fender a cool air duct.

Some sort of a deflector could be made to route incoming cool air to the bottom opening of the fender, on the back side of the cladding. You'd never get a ram air effect from this, but at least you'd get a good flow of outside air.

This would be a good use for hood vents, if people were into that... you could position the vent above the airbox/enclosure,and have it seal to the hood. This would be a more direct source of cool air.

Hey Dig,
I looked at his last night and decided to just go with a double wall aluminum divider, and skip the fiberglass. I'll use the same type of rubber seal between the top of the divider and the hood as what you'd see in an Airraid or Volant divider. RPM's kit came with the piece to block off all the holes in the fender, so I'm good there.
The small scoop I'm contemplating making will stick down below the front cladding about 1 inch and will be quite wide. I'm a bit concerned with the opening at the lower front corner of the inner fender being large enough for the flow requirments.
I won't be worrying about it too much till Winter sets in and I'm staring out at 3 feet of snow.

 

[WyoSyclone]

Re: RPM CAI Install

Well, after getting the "Filter Relocation Kit" (it's really not a CAI) installed, I went for a run to do a temp log and found 30 degree higher intake temps with the kit as installed :tdown:

So, time to do some fabbing...

Mo better now... fender completely isolated, upper rubber lip from AirRaid (they sent it to me for free), RC airplane cockpit combing on the bottom lip.