Custom Cold Air Intake Help

[Razi]

And a filter sitting in the engine bay isn't what we're trying to achieve here.

[mdawg4x4]

Nismo is also ridiculously expensive!

True, unless you luck on somebody selling a new one they haven't used for $150, with the K&N filter cover.

And a filter sitting in the engine bay isn't what we're trying to achieve here.

I gotcha. You are looking for cooler air than the engine bay. Could be a good starting point anyway. Then just add a turndown through the hoodledge and put the filter underneath. Looking at mine, it wouldn't be that hard to go through behind the fender.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

McMaster Carr is expensive, forget about that.

Uh, what? Dude, they are pretty ridiculously cheap.

[Razi]

I gotcha. You are looking for cooler air than the engine bay. Could be a good starting point anyway. Then just add a turndown through the hoodledge and put the filter underneath. Looking at mine, it wouldn't be that hard to go through behind the fender.

Yeah, just a few 90 degree and 45 degree silicone hoses and straight bits of pipe and you can probably route it outside.
Won't necessarily need an aftermarket intake pipe either.

[Dattebayo]

McMaster Carr is expensive, forget about that.

Uh, what? Dude, they are pretty ridiculously cheap.

No way. I regularly ordered stuff from them for a company where I had to make custom-order machines for random applications, they KILLED you with all the nickel and dime stuff. Not to mention the shipping!

[Red coupe]

McMaster Carr is expensive, forget about that.

Uh, what? Dude, they are pretty ridiculously cheap.

I order from them a bit cause they are local and convenient...

But not cheap.
Not a horrible rip off that is to be avoided, but I would put the truth somewhere between your opinions.
They sure sell a ton of s*** though. You can get bikes there

They are a good starting place, but especially if your buying a lot its not a bad idea to see if you can't find it cheaper... because you probably can... just not always enough to make the searching worth it on low volume.

Nismo is also ridiculously expensive!

BUT LOOK HOW NICE OF A TUBE IT IS!

True, unless you luck on somebody selling a new one they haven't used for $150, with the K&N filter cover.

Uhhhh, wtf? Its a piece of pipe and some cotton. $150 is not a good price for what you are getting.

[Dattebayo]

Well, to be fair, I didn't say they were really expensive... I do think you can find much cheaper elsewhere and somewhere where you can actually put your hands on the material.

[Red coupe]

Well, to be fair, I didn't say they were really expensive... I do think you can find much cheaper elsewhere and somewhere where you can actually put your hands on the material.

Awww, Their will call is the highlight of the trip... lol.

My buddy is an industrial engineer (production efficiency type stuff) and practically nutted his first visit.

[mdawg4x4]

True, unless you luck on somebody selling a new one they haven't used for $150, with the K&N filter cover.

Uhhhh, wtf? Its a piece of pipe and some cotton. $150 is not a good price for what you are getting.

Price one.
Ingen ~$260
AEM ~$330
K&N ~$380
NISMO ~$280

I think $150 still new w/filter cover not too bad.

[Red coupe]

Uhhhh, wtf? Its a piece of pipe and some cotton. $150 is not a good price for what you are getting.

Price one.
Ingen ~$260
AEM ~$330
K&N ~$380
NISMO ~$280

I think $150 still new w/filter cover not too bad.

Now price a generic piece of tubing...

About the only thing you have proved is that name brand intakes are rape.

[Dattebayo]

Well, to be fair, I didn't say they were really expensive... I do think you can find much cheaper elsewhere and somewhere where you can actually put your hands on the material.

Awww, Their will call is the highlight of the trip... lol.

My buddy is an industrial engineer (production efficiency type stuff) and practically nutted his first visit.

Yep, the new catalog gets me all hot and stuff. But now I use Grainger's and a small electronics warehouse off of General Washington Drive in VA because of the discounts I get.

[Red coupe]

I just hate granger because they seem anti-spec.

Not a single heim joint they sell has any indication of their strengths or anything.

[mdawg4x4]

Now price a generic piece of tubing...

About the only thing you have proved is that name brand intakes are rape.

And looks much better and designed for optimum flow. I could buy lights from Walmart but opted for the KC Slimlites, as well as the Alpine stereo vs Dual.

Sorry bout the thread jack. Back to the OP's post.

[Red coupe]

Now price a generic piece of tubing...

About the only thing you have proved is that name brand intakes are rape.

And looks much better and designed for optimum flow. I could buy lights from Walmart but opted for the KC Slimlites, as well as the Alpine stereo vs Dual.

Sorry bout the thread jack. Back to the OP's post.

Its not a thread jack, its directly related to the idea of building your own. How is discussing the demands of intake manufacturing not relevant in a thread about making your own intake?

What exactly is the value added?

What expensive processes or procedures make it cost prohibitive for the generic manufacturer to duplicate quality?

Intakes are short with a healthy diameter, friction losses are no where near as significant as industrial applications... if piping really cost anywhere near the $100 per foot these companies are asking no building could afford plumbing or heating.

[mdawg4x4]

Just made a suggestion, that's all. Don't get you panties in a wad. Didn't intend to ruffle any feathers.

[Ron Burgundy]

So I sort of scrapped this project for some reason or another, but thought to re-visit it recently when I purchased JWT's Pop-Charger. It's an awesome addition, but it's too heavy for the stock air intake to support, so I figured rather than attempting to fabricate something to support the intake, I'd tackle this project once and for all!

The Pictures:







It may not look level with the rest of the stock air intake, but it's just the angle of the pictures.












With the fog light grille removed...




The Results:
It was super fun to do, and I feel accomplished. I haven't had a chance yet to really test it, but so far I don't feel any differences; negative or positive. Its about 97% done: I'll need to put the inner fender liner back on considering its still probably pulling in hot air from the pavement; the small plastic hose you may see in some pictures, is just a mock up - I'll replace it with a rubber one, as soon as I find it; and lastly I'd still like to put the hydro shield on - I have read some pretty good reviews on it, but even if it is just a gimmick, it'd give me some peace of mind.

Criticism of all kinds encouraged!

[Razi]

Hahha.
It's not pretty but I guess it'll work.

[Ron Burgundy]

I thought it was pretty...

Don't get me wrong, it's no polished aluminum or anything, but I think it matches the stock plastic portion of the intake pretty nice.

[Razi]

Well, it's not an eyesore.
I'd like polished aluminum a lot less.

A hydroshield is indeed a good idea, even though your filter seems fairly high compared to the road.