Do I need to jack up the MS3 to install CAI, or can I use ramps?

[ch77]

Those Injen instructions are interesting, in that they make removal of the bumper look so simple, and they don't bother with more than a couple of pictures for that process.

It's pretty easy to take the wheel off, by comparison, I'd say. Those innder fender screws may give you trouble, as they get road grit in them and can not want to move.. I bought some extras of those just in case any do break, which none have so far. In time they may, as the fender liners have to come off every 20,000 miles or so, when you clean the filter.

I've got no pics of my engine bay! I don't have a digital camera at the moment, but I do have some pictures of my car, right after I washed & dried it..

 

[major error]

Yes, as stated, if you jack it, also place a jackstand or other such device to keep from being crushed if the jack fails.(yippy)

Where do you position the jackstands? I took a look at everything underneath yesterday, and there didn't seem to be an obvious place to put them....just a lot of flat surfaces the looked like they had no business bearing weight.

 

[ch77]

It's hard to describe the little X you're looking for. "Near the center of the front crossmember".. as the workshop manual puts it. I'm sure someone will take a picture of the spot.

I think it ought to be clearly stated in the owner's manual. The workshop manual reveals much..

 

[ch77]

Derr! The jackstands, not the jack.

The side sills have little indents near the wheels, maybe 5 or 6 inches long and maybe 1/4 inch deep. Those are obvious, I think, once you know just what they look like.

 

[major error]

Derr! The jackstands, not the jack.

The side sills have little indents near the wheels, maybe 5 or 6 inches long and maybe 1/4 inch deep. Those are obvious, I think, once you know just what they look like.

Pretty sure I know where you're referring to...

I was hoping there was another spot with a little more...texture...to put the stands. All those flat spots make me think the car will just slide right off...

Thanks for clearing this up!

 

[Scott]

Those Injen instructions are interesting, in that they make removal of the bumper look so simple, and they don't bother with more than a couple of pictures for that process.

I've never understood why aftermarket companies always do that.

When I got my APR side mirrors, the install instructions nonchalantly told me to "remove the door from the car, pull off the interior panel, and seperate the inside welded door section for easiest installation."

Remove the welds holding the door together? How is THAT easy? Luckily, I could reach up through the opening for the back of the speaker basket, and escaped with only a few lacerations and swears to higher powers.

 

[guy_incognito]

So I got my CAI in the mail today, and have installed it already. I went ahead and installed without jacking up the car and also without removing the front bumper. Both would help, but aren't necessary it seems. That air deflector was a major pain, like everyone says. I didn't have too much trouble getting the 3 bolts out, approaching 2 through the grill. But there just seems to be at least 2 or 3 other places where it is tacked in, and I couldn't figure out how to remove those. Just blindly feeling, one felt like a smooth button, and another seemed to be a plastic cliip of some sort. At that point I didn't know what to do, so I just pulled and pretty much broke the piece off. Later I found that one piece of it was still attached, the part that is seen through the grill. I spent just another couple of minutes, but couldn't get that one to budge. So right now it is just somewhat loose in there, but I'll either try to rebolt the 2 remaining attachment points (will be hard), or just get a little more aggressive and probably lose some more skin from my knuckles.

So far it seems like everything has gone well with a bit of driving. I am surprised at how loud the whooshing intake noise is, makes me a bit concerned. Also, there was a bit of rattle at times, but couldn't tell if it was the minimally attached air deflector, or whether it is the air filter shield hitting the splash guards in the wheel well. Which reminds me, it was a pain getting that splash shield on, that's where I most regretted not jacking up the car! Tomorrow with more light I'm gonna go and double check everything and see if I can't fix the air deflector and maybe get the CAI slightly realigned to give some more clearance from the wheel well.

Any comments on how to realign for filter clearance, finishing off that air deflector, or comments on intake noise would be appreciated.

 

[whitey4311]

LOL, you should have called me man!

You heard what mine was like and there shouldnt be any rattle of any sort. You need to check that rubber bolt that goes in the frame that it is tight. I also used blue loctite on all the bolts to keep it where it should be.

Just use the stock jack and lift up the front end a bit and go back through all of it or like I said if you mess up the install then you are looking at warranty concerns if it results in damage.

 

[knowledge007]

What CAI is this??? There should be no cleareance issue even if the bolt with a rubber washer that connects to the frame is in the correct location loose or not.

As for the air deflector, you need to get that out completely.

 

[guy_incognito]

It is the MS CAI. To clarify, it is not that the filter splash guard is noticeably protruding into the wheel well cover, but rather that its final resting position just comes next to the wheel well (just touching). How much clearance should there be? Doesn't seem like it is even too possible to get that much (>1"), or else other areas start to get cramped.

Why does the air deflector need to come completely out? Is there any functional issue? I've got enough out so that it does not interfere with the filter or pipe in any way. Basically the only part remaining is what you can see through the grill.

Whitey, if you are available I may give you a call this afternoon or tomorrow just to get a visual comparison.

 

[whitey4311]

Hit me up man I should be free tomorrow for sure and possibly today.

That splash guard will touch the fender linner and its not an issue from what I can see. I can touch mine through the slots in the linner if you pres your finger in there. You have something else going on that is causing noise and its not that shiled unless its loose.

I have the tools needed for the install so we can fix you up the right way.

PS I told you you needed that 10" extension, lol. That piece in the grill is way back there.