Gen2 4Cyl TRUE CAI Project Started

[tacti]

UPDATE!!

Now it turns into TRUE CAI PROJECT!!

I installed the Cool Air Intake, and then looking around the area to find the way to run a pipe down to the back of fog lamp.

and now, I found small, but large enough space to run the pipe!
I will try with the 90 degree pvc pipe this weekend, and if it works, then i will order better pipes to finish the project.

once i finish the prototype, i will post pictures and tutorial of how it goes.



<Original Post>
I would say it is pretty promising.
will post pictures once i get the prototype installed.

Probably I should state that this is not a TRUE CAI Project.
i would say, Cooler Air Intake (still CAI, right? )

It's been a really hot days here in Ohio, and I could really feel the loss of power when i hit gas from dead stop.

When opened my hood, I could not even touch the Intake because it was so hot.
Since there are no CAI Kit for Gen2 Solara 4 Cyl (well.. actually there are no SRI officially says it is for our car... ), I decided to look for the way to make custom CAI.

from what i learned from this and other forum past year or so, I know CAI takes air from behind the wheel well, or behind the bumper.
i looked around the driver side engine bay, and found there are no way extending the pipe to back of the bumper or wheel well, unless cutting some metals.

and... I start my brain storming
1. I need cooler air.
2. Intake cannot leave engine bay without cutting metals...
3. I want to keep my car the way it can go back to stock whenever i need.

I looked around and decided to separate part of engine bay from the engine, so that least it will not take the heated air.

for long story short, i decided to move my battery a side, and make space behind the head light.
it is a place i can extend the SRI with Straigh pipe and easily separated from the rest of engine room.

Today, I took the battery out and moved toward center, and place it vertically.
it took me 3 hours to find the way to hold it steady in its new place.

anyways.. here are the pictures.

Original Place of the battery. Picture taken from my mom's Camry, and that is why it has stock airbox...

The new place for the battery.

you can see that i turn the battery to place it vertically, and there are enough space between battery and fusebox to extend the intake pipe behind the head light.
there are small space between radiator grill and head light, so if i make sure no air from radiator goes into this area, it should have least some cooler air than rest of the engine bay.
I will heat shield the surrounding area and try extending pipe next.

I am totally clueless how this will turn out, but all the parts are cheap, and better try than do nothing. (and if it does not work, i can always go back to original)
i really want true CAI, so i will be keep seeking the way to make it. but for now, i will try from something i can afford...

P.s Thanks for the advice to PhreakdOut, and Michaels Artic Frost.

Tact

[kingkakyle]

interesting.....
how is the battery staying there? wats holding it?
good luck and keep up the good work

[dvdchris45]

tact, looks like you removed the air duct next to your battery, I see its pictured in the camry but not in your car. You should leave that on, every bit of cool air counts

[PhreakdOut]

tact, looks like you removed the air duct next to your battery, I see its pictured in the camry but not in your car. You should leave that on, every bit of cool air counts

I think the idea is to get the filter out of the engine bay.

Tact, if you located the filter behind the driver's side fog lamp, there should be plenty of fresh air coming in from the grille area. Just never submerge that corner of the car into water AND run the engine. The intake would act like a wet vac and suck up water into the engine forcing hydrolock. (This would be a very rare situation to occur. I'm not talking rain or spray, I mean totally submerged filter.)

AEM makes a special bypass adapter that you would put in line on your intake tubing which prevents the tube from gaining enough vacuum pressure to inhale water from a submerged filter. Again, it would be rare but you can call it insurance.

[Biggi_e]

goodluck with your project

[tacti]

Now I changed this to the True CAI Project.
see the first post for the update.

for anyone with experience with CAI, are there anything i should be careful with?
most concern i have is water.

How high above the under body guard (the Plastic cover bottom of engine room) should i place the intake?

what direction should i face the filter? (easiest way is just face down, but should i make it face front to get some ram effect?

and once i start the piping with real intake pipe, where should i get the pipes? do i need to paint them to protect from rusting?

i will appreciate any input. Thanks!

Tact

[PhreakdOut]

It may be best to search for universal aluminum intake tubing.

Basicly, you will need a combination of 90 and 45 degree bend tubes connected with silicone connectors.

[tacti]

I just finished installing prototype of CAI.
it goes from Injen SRI, to straight pipe, and then goes down the gap behind Headlights to the back of Fog Lights.



Since i finished late, i have not test drove yet.

also since it is just for the pipe fitting, you can tell it is not a real intake pipe.

I need to find some quality intake pipes with some bend. (hopefully it will be 2 piece extention from Injen SRI.)
Does anyone know where i can find those custom bend pipe for intake for really good price?

I will report how the ride changes after installation.

Tact

[Biggi_e]

looks good so far, keep up the great work

[JMSinMaryland]

Might be worth to relocate your battery to your trunk to free up space, back with my 92 Camry I used oversize 2.5-3"? radiator hose for my intake. Jon. p.s. I found those at NAPA

[Astro]

Great job, so far!! Try Vibrant Performance, they make the parts you're looking for. Click on intake accesorries, then Universal Aluminum Tubing and Reinforced Silicone Connectors. I bought some awhile back ago and they are very nice.
I went here to purchase them.Driver FX.com


Good luck!!!

[PhreakdOut]

Might be worth to relocate your battery to your trunk to free up space, back with my 92 Camry I used oversize 2.5-3"? radiator hose for my intake. Jon. p.s. I found those at NAPA

I completely agree. I know this is just a mock up, but that battery needs to be locked down tight. If you're worried about shielding from heat, there is a wrap for intake pipes.

[PXLpainter]

I've really been looking at doing the same thing on the V6 too! Cool - keep us posted! I know that my Injen gets hotter to the touch than my foward exhaust manifold cover! DAMN!!

FWIW - I saw there is a whole bunch of generic CAI parts at Pep Boyz Wouldn't hurt to use some extentions and elbows - they have all different sizes and angles.

[michaels artic frost]

Congrats on being the first to have a CAI Tact! Great work and can't wait to see it in person.

-M

[tacti]

Thanks guys, and sorry for the late reply.
I try to make the pipe one piece if possible.

i looked around and found couple shops they might be able to do some custom bend on aluminum pipes.
I'll call them tomorrow and see if they can do.
I'm start thinking maybe straight pipes and silicon elbow tubes.
depending on price to bend pipes.
after i looked around on the site recommended (Thanks Astro!!), i thought it might be easier to adjust.

once i find all the parts needed for the CAI, I'll post the list of items for the installation.
or, if i get custom bend pipe, i will post the price so that if anyone wants, i will be able to get some more and ship if anyone wants.

forgot to mention, but please check my page
http://web.mac.com/tacti/

on solara, performance page, you will see the link to works, and i have some more pictures of the prototype in there.

tact