01 Sentra Intake installation issues

[mjhink3]

Hi, I recently ordered an Injen cold air intake (rd1964p), it was originally meant for a 96-99 year sentra but it still fits on my 2001. When attempting to install it I took out my airbox which was a huge pain in the butt and then I started putting in the cold air. I couldnt remove the big, plastic MAF sensor from the airbox b/c it was bolted in pretty strongly. I was running out of time b/c I had to drive myt friend to work so we decided to try and put on a short-ram setup. All of the hoses were connected except we didn't install the MAF on there. I put the key in the ignition and it turned on nicely, but when I went to rev the engine ever so slightly, the engine would just about die making a quieting noise. Why did this happen? I didn't think the MAF was absolutely necessary for the engine to run properly since all it is is a sensor.

Also there is a hose starting from the bottom of the engine that comes up to the intake region. There is no bung for it on the aftermarket intake nor the stock airbox intake. I have no idea what it is, it is the tiniest hose in that area and I cannot find out where it goes. My engine light is now on and I believe it is either b/c of that hose being disconnected or from the airbox not being put on correctly.

[nametakennow]

The MAF is VERY important to having the engine run properly. Without the MAF, the ECU has no clue how much air is coming in.

The MAF should come off the airbox pretty easily. Could you post a pic of what it's not coming apart from? It's been ages since I've looked at a stock intake assembly.

The tiny hose is the transmission breather tube. Just leave it how it is, it's supposed to be that way.

[mjhink3]

I'll post a pic of it in the next day or so but basically theres two parts to the airbox, a top and a bottom. The MAF is connected to the top half and is bolted in but like 8 bolts that are basically machined on there. If I can manage to get them off somehow I can then setup the short ram for now and then do the whole cold air thing when I decide to figure out how to get the bumper off. I kind of thought that that breather tube thing was supposed to be unplugged but I couldn't remember what it looked like before I did the attempt of my intake. Taking that bumper off is really going to be a pain, me and my friend found about 6 bolts to take off for the bumper on the bottom of the car but it was still pretty securely held in place. Hopefully I won't need a power sander to trim down the opening in the fenderwell to 3 inches in diameter once I actually manage to get the bumper off.

[nametakennow]

I don't remember having any of these issues with the MAF assy and the airbox. There shouldn't be any bolts I don't think. I wish I still had the pics and writeup I did when I installed mine to reference. The MAF has a secondary portion to it that's supposed to stay on and uses some small bolts to connect to the main tube, hopefully that's not what you're referring to.

You don't actually have to take the bumper off. I took just the driver's side off when I did it, but it's overall unnecessary. You can actually just reach around behind the bumper. The pipe will end right behind the foglight. You can pop the foglight out pretty easily for easier viewing.

A Dremel will widen the hole. You will need to do a little trimming to make it fit.

[mjhink3]

No I know about the actual sensor that you're talking about, that is actually connected by some asteriks type screws. I'm talking about how the MAF sensor (tube and sensor) are bolted onto the opening of the top of the airbox. Ill show you a pic tomorow when I get a chance. I hope your right about the whole bumper thing b/c wow I definitely dont wana have to deal with taking the bumper off, im pretty sure theres like a 500 screws and bolts holding it in haha. But yeah it's gona be a tight squeeze through the fenderwell I have a feeling, I'll try and manage with the tools I have for the time being hopefully.

[mjhink3]

okay so today me and my friend were able to get the bolts off of the MAF sensor on the top of the airbox. wait till you see the picture of our hugely fabricated short-ram intake. the rd1964p is actually only supposed to be a full cold air intake but we ended up making our own short-ram intake for the time being. im going to take the car down to a local performance shop to have the full cold air tubing set up b/c i just dont have the right tools to open the fenderwell to 3 inches in diameter and i dont wanna crack my fender or bumper so im gona be safe and have them take care of it for me. you were definitely right about the fact that the engine needs that MAF sensor b/c it didnt rev before since we didnt have it on and now that we put it on the tubing it works perfectly fine. the sound is a major improvement too, it has a nice throaty growl when i accelerate its great i actually cant wait until i get the cold air tubing attached fully its gonna be great