[RichDDavis]

I was wondering if i could get a hand here with this intake i am making for my 05 focus zx4 ses. The stock intake is garbage. i bought some tubes to make an intake. fitted it all up, kept the stock vaccume hose and initial flex tube. put an elbow and a straight pipe with a square cut out for the mass airflow sensor. used blue rtv and universal cork gasket to fit the sensor into place. started the car and no check engine light. went around the block and when it hit second gear, the car started reving high then dropping down. i have no idea what the problem is. would i have to reset the ecu? if so how do i do that? Thanks in advance. im a brand new user to this site (forums in general actually). sorry no pictures, if it would help i can get some.

 

[blkZX32005]

yupp, reset the computer, unplg the battery for about 5 minutes and then reconnect and enjoy.....

 

[RichDDavis]

sweet thank you dude!!

 

[whynotthinkwhynot]

There is a forwards and backwards direction to mount the MAF. It won't run right if you don't have it turned correctly. You should check that if resetting the ECU doesn't fix the problem. I'm not sure it will since resetting the ECU just makes something that runs run better, not saves a car from problems while running. I can't remember what the symptoms are, but it is possible that you're not getting a CEL from it right away- if at all.

 

[whynotthinkwhynot]

Oh, to determine if it's facing the right way, the hole in the side of the MAF that is the furthest from the plug should face the incoming air. The exit hole is closer to the plug in, which made me think of something. Depending on how thick your gasket confabulation is, you might be blocking that hole, or some RTV might've gotten into it.

FYI: Blue RTV is for coolant applications. Black and gray are for oil, the difference is in the curing time. Copper is for copper head gaskets. Regular old silicone would've been sufficient, but I'm not saying that blue is bad in that application. Most anything would work. Only copper would've been too brittle after it cured.

 

[BeeFzX3]

you need to use stock MAF tube

 

[RichDDavis]

ok. i did have the maf hole facing the right way, i checked how it was configured before removing it. i just found out how to remove the lower pipe from the wheel compartment, so now i can use the original maf tube which should essentially turn it into a cai instead of a short ram. thanks guys. rep increases!

 

[RichDDavis]

oh and the rain finally stoped, so after mod and install ill post pics.

 

[scrammer]

Moved to "Duratec Performance Chat"

 

[warneej]

you DEFINITELY need to use the stock MAF tube, if you do not and the ID of the new tube doesn't match the stock then you will run WAY lean...

 

[RichDDavis]

i stayed stock up until the u bend to the air box. removed the "lifetime" airbox and put a conical filter on, reset ecu and ripped around the block. everything works great. drove 81 miles today and no problems. thanks for help guys!

 

[N2O Focus]

No he is saying you need to keep the black plasic straight pipe that the maf originally came in. The insid is tapered for the maf, so when you install the maf into your larger inside diameter tube, you will throw off the maf.

 

[RichDDavis]

I understand that. "I stayed stock until the u bend." kept the original MAF tube. It's all taken care of, works great and sounds great. I dusted a kid in a cavelier with a pipe and half a body kit. lol he followed me to pep-boys and was glaring me down in the store. thanks again guys.