Stealth CAI--What to expect and what NOT to do.

[ergo-ogre]

Rather than R&R the highly restrictive factory '100k' air cleaner for $90 myself, or $180 installed at the stealership (surely you can't be serious‼), I went online and found this site for ideas and input. The Stealth CAI is a brilliant idea!

I've read that many of you are having issues getting a 3" dia cone filter to fit around the MAF tube. My solution is to use a K&N RC-9160 universal filter because it features a 3.125" inlet flange. Got mine on fleaBay for $28

[MisterJohnson]

^^Welcome to the site! You picked a great first mod, best bang for your buck possible :)

[ergo-ogre]

After I got the Stealth CAI installed, I forgot to let my car idle for a bit after putting the negative battery cable back on. (I immediately drove it on the highway for about 20 miles) It wasn't until the next day that I actually felt some increase in seat-of-the-pants performance.

[racer13]

Just did this today, so far so good! I did the 90* elbow method due to the auto trans and it fit really nicely. Also slipping the 3" coupler over the MAF tube was a breeze, far easier than it was to put the 3" filter on the 3" 90* tube I have a spectre on there for now but will be putting a K&N on when i can afford it. Noise is very minimal with the excpetion on a sucking sound at idle and a nice growl at WOT (Not ricey at all). Regualr driving doesnt seem any louder than before. Thanks for the write up!

cant figure out how to post pics, but heres a link with some photos from the install http://s1052.photobucket.com/albums/s453/racer-13/

[CRASH7772]

Originally Posted by racer13

Just did this today, so far so good! I did the 90* elbow method due to the auto trans and it fit really nicely. Also slitting the 3" couple over the MAF tube was a breeze, far easier than it was to put the 3" filter in the 3" 90* tube I have a spectre on there for now but will be putting a K&N on when i can afford it. Noise is very minimal with the excpetion on a sucking sound at idle and a nice growl at WOT (Not ricey at all). Regualr driving doesnt seem any louder than before. Thanks for the write up!

cant figure out how to post pics, but heres a link with some photos from the install http://s1052.photobucket.com/albums/s453/racer-13/

Mine is very noticeable at idle (actually thought something was wrong), guess it shows how air hungry these little engines are. The Spectre flows just as good as the K&N it's just made overseas. I went with the K&N RC-9160 ($34 shipped on Ebay) which is slightly larger than 3" opening.

[racer13]

Originally Posted by CRASH7772

Mine is very noticeable at idle (actually thought something was wrong), guess it shows how air hungry these little engines are. The Spectre flows just as good as the K&N it's just made overseas. I went with the K&N RC-9160 ($34 shipped on Ebay) which is slightly larger than 3" opening.

I only can hear the sucking if i have the window down, sounds like a vacuum cleaner! I was suprised how quite it was with crusing tho, only when I go WOT do i hear it growl. I didnt need the 3 1/4" filter because of the 90* tube. It was a breeze slipping the 3" coupler over the MAF tube (A lot more stretchy than the filter by far!) I may or may not get the K&N, hopefully down the road i can afford a real CAI

[OrangePeel]

I just did mine today! Took me about an hour and a half because I am very tedious and decided to tidy up some loose wiring.

Also removing the old filter box and the half hose connected to the snorkle was a little pain in the butt. But all in all a very simple mod, anyone with a regular tool kit and patience should be into some nice power real easy. :)

Filter just above air dam.


Picture from top shows nothing! :)


I used the K&N RU-3130, at first noticing there was some slight difference in the diameter of the tube to the filter I was worried. But that sucker is tight as hell on there without much work. I didn't tighten it up too much as I read there is a tendency to crack the tube.

So, if anyone else is looking into doing this. Do eeet!