TRD CAI Installed! (Question)

Got my CAI yesterday, and installed it last night right after I got home from work (12am). Didn't get a chance to take it for a spin yet. Love the design of this thing and the way everything fits. The only thing I didn't care for was using hardware from the stock unit. I have one question about this kit though. Is the square filter box that is mounted on the fender well (I think thats what you call it, it's mounted with two bolts and a nut) supposed to be tight to the fender well or should it have some play? The instructions called for two 12mm bolts taken from the stock unit to use on the inside of the air box to tighten it down. When I used these bolts the one closer to the engine would not tighten down all the way, and so now the box has some play to it. Can anyone help?

 

That doesn't sound good, I don't have one of these but from other CAI installs they have always been snug. Take the bolt out and make sure it's not cross thread. If it is jit ace hardware or lows they should have what you need.

 

It shouldn't have much play at all. There is a little rubber grommet that goes in between the fender well and the bottom of the air filter box. It should've been included in the hardware from your kit. Good Luck!

 

If that is the one with the rubber mount with the washer, then it is a PITA to tighten down. The box should be snug and have no play in it.

 

Yes it was and I installed it, that one is tight/snug. The play is coming from the bolt that was reused from the stock unit that is closest to the engine and the firewall inside the sir box. I couldn't tighten it down far enough to get it tight/ snug. Worst case scenario I'll go to a hardware atore and buy a shorter bolt.

 

I'm only getting play from one bolt. The one closest to the engine and the fire wall. The hardware that was supplied worked for me perfect.

 

Gotcha. Well, one thing I noticed was that the hole they want you to out that bolt into was not a hole that was originally used. The threads could have stuff stuck in there. Dirt, grime, paint. It might be a pain, but take out that filter box and see if there is anything in those threads that could keep the bolt from tightening all the way down. I threaded mine before I put my box in and it was still a pain. I guess worst case scenario is get some washers on either side of that box. (On the outside between the box and the metal and then inside between the head of the bolt and the plastic. That might give you just enough resistance to tighten it down.

 

Thank you! I'm going to try that, and I'll mess around with it when I get home tonight.

 

No problem. Hope it works out for ya.

 

I'll keep you posted

 

I remember my instructions had a number of errors. Even called out the wrong sizes for bolts. The bolt with the rubber space thing on it is one that I think I ended up putting a few washers on to space it out more so it would tighten proper without pulling things out of line.

 

OK so I worked on it for a few hours yesterday. First I tried to tighten the bolts and nuts more. That only worked for the two bolts, but the one with the rubber thing in the middle wouldn't tighten down all the way to hold the bracket for the AC line. tried to install it that way but all that tightining made the box go out of wack and I couldn't install the cover the right way. So I once again took everything apart, to install this the right way without having to over tighten the bolts, and so I wouldn't end up with the box all out of wack. I found a bunch of washers and installed 4 on the two sided bolt with bubber to make sure that the bracket for the AC line was snug. Than I installed 4 or 5 (can't remember now) washers on the bolt closest to the engine block. I put these between the bottom of the box and the wheelwell. Now this thing is finally sitting nice and snug with very limited amount of play.

 

Awesome. Glad everything worked out.

 

Glad you finally got it squared away!

 

Thanks me too. Now its time to do some WOT driving, I need to figure out if it was worth the money. I sure as hell hope it was.

 

It will make some nice sound. Especially around 3k RPM's. Don't expect any gas savings as you will flooring it to hear that sound lol.

 

LOL and I just cured the HFS. It's ok though I'll settle down on the HFS eventualy. I had an AEM Brute Force Intake before this one. I wonder if this one will be better on the performance? What do you think?

 

I think it is a good intake. Well designed. However, I don't drive much at the higher RPM's where the intake shines. Plus, I could care about the sound. I found I lost power where I drive the most, 2k-2.5k, so I sold mine. However, that is me. I think the intake is top-notch and i think you will be happy with it. Also a tune is really needed to get the most of that intake (or any intake/exhaust mod). URD makes a MAF calibrator. Something to think about.

 

It will be about a month of WOT driving, and I'll calm down. I usually take my engine to about 3k at the most. Ok sometimes I do take it above 4k, but its only sometimes I promise. I did look into the URD MAF calibrator, need to save up money for that. I do still have to decide if I should get the URD or the X1.

 

X1 all day if you got the cash. If not, the MAF will work fine. Plus you willbe able to adjust your tune with a PC. Remeber though, w/o a wide band o2 sensor you will only be able to tune in WOT or 80% throttle. PM Gadget for all the info you need, he knows everything about that kind of stuff for our trucks.