i started trying ways to make a CAI and the problem is finding a tube that will fit our MAF to a tube. its really not that hard to figure out. Just nothing i could find that would work with it. the MAF is wide and flat and wider than all the ports i found on the tubes and not round which is all the GM ports on the side.
so i decided to use the standard airbox and hoses and hook up an after market filter like on the CAI's.

here is what i did
1. so i took off the black box by loosening the front hose clamp
2. pulled up from back and then got the box loose and then worked hose off and then all off
3. i then took off the 7, yes 7 screws to get the top off to remove the paper filter. took out paper filter
4. then i put the box back together with it empty
5. bought a 9132 Spectre filter for $19.95 and a 3 in clamp, $2.89 from auto zone. this is the smallest filter i could find on the rack
6. I then took the rubber ring off from inside the clamp and then slid it around the end of the filter, semi tightened it. oiled filter
7. 2 places to put the filter: where mike has his or lower by radiator hose,,, to put in either place, you have to wiggle it in. to put in lower spot you have to angle the air box up out of the way and pull the radiator hose to the side and it slides in the place there
8. pushed the end of the hose in the filter
9. tightened the clamp on the filter and hose. it holds fairly well. the boot on the hose slips in pretty good and there is pressure against it so it doesnt come out

tomorrow i am going to remove the box and go and see if i can put a straight tube from the front to back to make it all a straight tube and not an open box.. that should make a difference

more to come

i have driven it several trips and put it thru the mill. more pick up, nice sound change,, lower and no problems. you can feel the difference. i was getting 0-60 in high 9's and low 10's in I gear.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/cktuba/HHR%20Project/SAI3.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/cktuba/HHR%20Project/SAI4.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/cktuba/HHR%20Project/SAI5.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b305/cktuba/HHR%20Project/SAI2.jpg

The cool thing about this mod is anyone can do it with a flat head screwdriver and an allen wrench. $25 or less and it will run alot better than the standard filter. Especially if you cant afford a $300 CAI.

you might be amazed at how it feels. the more i drive this the better I like it. it is very free and has a totally different sound. I think once i put a pipe and make it to where the air isnt going to the air filter box and just from hose to hose it will run even better. it will be like a CAI but look stock.

i used a allen wrench bit in a power screwdriver and it did not take long to take the box apart and put it back together.

someone could also cut off the part where the MAF sensor bolts on and then configure a pipe to it w a rubber boot or glue it on and then you could build a CAI that looks like Mikes for around $145 total. but i did not want to alter the stock parts.

Cool thing about this is to change it back all you have to do is pull it out of the new filter, remove the filter, put the original filter back in. you are done

i am going for a test drive on the freeway after House and see how it works and drives.

i am getting 24 to 25 on the DIC around town going 50 at the most. i went on this one road and ran 65 to 70 for 8 miles and it was indicating 36 to 38 on the DIC.

i am going to fill up and run town and then report mileage by saturday and then will post what i got city till then

i will post what i got on the trip to Florida saturday.

One of the things that is preventing you any real gain in HP is the rippled air intake tube. If you notice CAIs use straight tubing for the best air flow.

I believe what he has is just temporary. I think he mentioned in his first post that he was looking for straight tubing to retro fit it. So it seems like its in the works. Should be interesting.

I know
i will find a housing that will work w the MAF on the car and then there will be a straight tube

OH and by the way CH, there already is real gains. i know how the car drives and what it usually does from 0-60 and it is faster now already

Maybe 1 or 2 HP. ;) It just feels like that because you want it to. :lol: I know enough from modding my Mustang. :roll: You want to feel little HP gains so much you convince yourself that a little 1-5 HP gain turned your ride into a fire breathing beast. :nuts:

Maybe 1 or 2 HP. ;) It just feels like that because you want it to. :lol: I know enough from modding my Mustang. :roll: You want to feel little HP gains so much you convince yourself that a little 1-5 HP gain turned your ride into a fire breathing beast. :nuts:
you are such a pessimist:thumb:

ride on CH, talk on :D
i do and you post:p:

I'm not trying to put you down CJ. ;) That's just an obsevation I made while modding another vehicle. :smile: The dyno is the only true proof. :lol:

No
i am trying to help people out here on the board that dont have $300 to spend on an intake and give them improvement for $23 and 30 to 60 min of their time.

if all it got was 2 to 4 hp and 2 to 3 mpg extra, then that $23 was more than well spent

and that i can take to the bank as MR Baretta used to say
:one:

Maybe 1 or 2 HP. ;) It just feels like that because you want it to. :lol: I know enough from modding my Mustang. :roll: You want to feel little HP gains so much you convince yourself that a little 1-5 HP gain turned your ride into a fire breathing beast. :nuts:

:rof: I used to have a Stang...it at times also felt like a fire breathing beast! :lol:

Ng

I may try it with my HHR if it works well for CJ.:bow:

Looks good CJ. keep us posted on how it goes.

Drove it tonight all over town in D gear and definately more pick up and quicker and it just feels freer like it is not held back. tranny seems to shift smoother at higher rpms when i push it a little. has a nice new engine sound with it all open.

will fill up tomorrow morning and start the city mpg countdown. then will post what i get going to FL to Satellite Beach- 1183 miles one way. shooting for 17hours w stops. will see how it goes.

i was getting 0-60 in high 9's and low 10's in I gear.

How is this any better performance wise?:confused:
http://i2.tinypic.com/rbbdq1.jpg

well i am not on a track
i didnt go to a race track
i am using a plain stop watch and driving and doing it at the same time

when i did it like this i never got under high 10's to 12's
so for me it is faster

there are no 1/4 mile tracks around here, just 1/8 mile
when i get a chance to track and tune, i will

i just love all the ones who love to correct people,,, dont ya just want to give em a big hug:cool:
oh and i love what all you have done to your blue hhr

How is this any better performance wise?:confused:

See the "5M" in that graph you posted?

That stands for 5-speed Manual.

CJ has an automatic.

i just love all the ones who love to correct people,,, dont ya just want to give em a big hug:cool:

Not trying to correct anyone, just questioning some confusing info.

oh and i love what all you have done to your blue hhr

I will admit that mine will take a while before any mods, I don't believe in throwing away a perfectly good warranty, especially on a first year model.

Live life to the fullest... you don't know if you'll be here tomorrow..

:lockd: :banana: :guns: :breakdanc :roflol:

I will admit that mine will take a while before any mods, I don't believe in throwing away a perfectly good warranty, especially on a first year model.
I am not throwing away any warranty with the mods i have done so far. i have taken the HHR to the dealer in for a look at a couple of things and they love mine. ask me tons of ?'s about it.

and if you notice on mine,,, it still looks stock on everything.

i have almost 14000 miles on my car in 27.5 weeks and i can tell you i love the way it is running now w the standard filter gone.

i am going to get a aliminum pipe going, build me my own MAF sensor holder on the side welding it. make it one pipe, then completely cover the pipe in heat shield so it reduces the heat of the pipe and then paint it. run a hose from the front of the filter to the bottom grill so it gets ram air into the filter and it will then be alot better on the temp and the temp of the engine not affecting it as much and it will have lots of air

sounds like it will work good to me.
I was thinking of running a hose from the "FOG" light hole to the filter. My buddy has that on his mustang and it works good.
I don't have my "FOG" lights in yet.

what i am finding out is the longer the computer sees what it is happening on this new air flow the better it is running. the cool thing that i am seeing is therejust isnt any hesitation at all anymore at any speed which is really nice.

pick up is still great and now that i put a aliminum tube from the back of the filter box to the front tube and it is all tube now, it is even better still.

i am going to try and run the hose tomorrow from the lower grill to the front of the filter so it feeds directly into the front,,, ram air

that is going to have to make a difference. i hope i can make it happen before i go to Florida

You never sit still do ya CJ?? lol I'll have to catch up with you in the next few weeks to get an in-person look at it although my schedule is pretty hectic until after Memorial day... keep the mods coming!

CBL

Sounds GREAT CJ!! Keep us posted (as I'm sure you will) on the fab!! :thumb:
Can't wait to see the pic's!

what i am finding out is the longer the computer sees what it is happening on this new air flow the better it is running. the cool thing that i am seeing is therejust isnt any hesitation at all anymore at any speed which is really nice.

pick up is still great and now that i put a aliminum tube from the back of the filter box to the front tube and it is all tube now, it is even better still.

i am going to try and run the hose tomorrow from the lower grill to the front of the filter so it feeds directly into the front,,, ram air

that is going to have to make a difference. i hope i can make it happen before i go to Florida

Wouldn't mined seeing some pics CJ.:smile:

ran out of time coming here and so i changed up and the more i looked at the air aid AIK the more i liked it.

i ordered it and will have it in when i get back on friday or saturday after i get back to Texas.

the tube in the filter didnt work all that great so i took it out. didnt seem to make much difference w the tube in.

I'm also thinking of ordering one, and make a hood scoop or a cowl induction hood. I'm just thinking about it right now. not to sure.

ran out of time coming here and so i changed up and the more i looked at the air aid AIK the more i liked it.

i ordered it and will have it in when i get back on friday or saturday after i get back to Texas.

the tube in the filter didnt work all that great so i took it out. didnt seem to make much difference w the tube in.


alright..we have another airaid tester! woohoo! :thumb:

I'm also thinking of ordering one, and make a hood scoop or a cowl induction hood. I'm just thinking about it right now. not to sure.


save on shipping and $15.00 ordering one
http://www.autoanything.com/?kc=EMY06023

I did get the discount and free shipping

I did get the discount and free shipping


Good job... saved some $$$$

Thanks!
Looks like I might just get one after all.:thumb:

www.autoanything.com is awesome! ;) :bow:

Well you sure can't beat free shipping, and they do have alot of items.

Just order me a K&N Filter for my new 2006 hhr.

rhoss1