I just purchased this CAI for my 04 sentra SE-R (non spec) because it seemed like the best choice of all the cheap ones on eBay since it has a Nismo filter....
Is that really a NISMO filter? I notice honda CAI's sold by the same guy have a picture of the exact same filter with a different logo on the top.
Also, I know there's probably a reason for it being so cheap, so any suggestions on installing it to ensure it can't damage anything? What are possibilities of things that could go wrong with this one VS a $300 one from Nismo/others?
Thanks
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2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R
Everything stock... please help
SHIFT_expensive
no, it's not a real nismo filter. Nismo intakes don't even use Nismo filters as Nismo doesn't make filters.
send it back and get a refund!!! they are not specifically made for that engine and imo are dangerous to use. Many people have blown MAFs using cheap intakes like that.
If you don't want to spend a lot of money on a K&N drop in. You can also get a air hog, or cool blue on too. They flow much better then the thick paper stock filter and are very afordable.
Most important, they do make a difference. For the cost of a good CAI system, I'd rather just get a in box filter and then save the rest of the cash for real gain mod. The only people who agree with me are older tunners, everyone else says get a CAI for real gains. Also, you have to watch out for CAIs with bends before the MAF. They can change air flow and screw up the air counted and then screw up the air fuel ratio and cause a loss in HP.
On Sports Car Revolution on Speed TV, they got a better dyno using a flat filter over a round one on the RSX-S project. They had a different air box as well that gave a ram air effect at higher speeds. It's all about flow and surface area. Also, having a open filter sucks in hot air cauing a loss in HP. Many cheap so called CAIs are nothing more then cheap pipping and a round filter. Hopefully a cotton/ oiled filter, but when you buy cheap, you never know. You can easily buy a fake cheap CAI with a colored paper filter at Pep Boys too. You get what you pay for and since you don't want to spend money on a real intake, I suggest you just get a K&N, air hog, cool blue, stock replacement. You will get maybe 2-3HP gain and a improvment in fuel economy. If you shop around, you can get them for $40. It is worth it for the improvment in fuel economy alone. Also, if you don't plan on doing lots of mods, I wouldn't even bother with a CAI. The HP gain is not worth the cash. They can cost as much as a car payment and they give very little if any gain over a good in box replacement.
my ebay intake works just fine...same with my friend who even customized his ebay intake, and i also have another friend with ebay intake and they all work fine....just with ebay intaks there is no specific company that guarantees them that they will not cause any problems...AEM and injen do that....AEM's polished intake may be a little more shiny....but all in all you make the decision, read around and get other views.....but me including my friends is 3 out of 3 with successfull ebay intakes!
a poorly made CAI such as the ebay units offer no way to brace the CAI such as the AEM, nismo, (i think injen and hotshot do the same)...and on a good nasty bounce, the MAF will go. It's happened before, it'll happen again. Not a matter of if, but WHEN.
i just got a place racing CAI and it didnt come with any type of brace what so ever. so im going to take a feild trip to home depot (i have more stuff on my car from HD than any where lol) what i will use is a common shelf "L" bracket some duct tape and a hose clamp.
secrue the l bracket to the sheet metal with screws and make it so the L part butts up nice and close to the CAI pipe, wrap some duct tape around the pipe by the bracket (im not sure about the tape part yet....i have yet to refine my blue prints) finish it off by putting the hose clam around the pipe and tighten it down around the L bracket as well. now since your l bracket is secured to the sheet metal and the pipe is tight to the bracket you should have no rattles/bumps
now it is up to you if you want quality (a trusted name brand) or an ebay intake that will most likly not fit at all! i have to mod my PL intake and that was suppost to fit lol just think what the ebay one will be like.
edit: chimike, after looking at the pics for alittle it looks as though there may be a barcket of some type right above the air temp sensor. could that be one?
another edit: ...oh damn he got me V
Last edited by 1.6pete : Feb 3rd, 2005 at 03:35 PM.
i laugh at your insults towards ebay intakes....mine came with a brace to bolt it to the fender so it doesnt 'wobble' like a mofo.....hehe...but i did have problems with my MAF, but not because it was a cheap intake....it was installation error, due to the filter wasnt on good enough and it kept slipping off the pipe and guess dirt flew in there.....now filter is on veryveryveryvery tight.....you dont always get what you pay for....if you search good enough and have some recommendations from your closest friends, then why not try to save a few(hundred) bucks?
another thing i would be unsatisfied with an AEM or injen intake...why? because i wasted like 250+ $ on something that is the same as an ebay intake (just not name branded)....society will do everything to save money....its like cereal....theres froot loops and then there is grocery store 'fruit rings', they have different names and one is name brand and one is not, but they taste exactly the same....
Look at how well a HotShot unit is designed and look at a cheaper unit. The HotShot has excellent mounting harware, superp welds, T304 stainless (real 304), and a good filter. Higher end companies do a shitload of research on the exact specs of their units. The ebay units are generally not well researched and the filters are generally crap. Look how ebay brand car mods hold up in the long run. I know people who have gotten them and the quality is so poor that it is amusing. The MAF is fragile. Good filter choice is a must (hell, crappy ones with too much oil in them can destroy an MAF to what I understand). Crappy metal will tarnish and rust.
CAIs are not ceral. You almost always get what you pay for. If a company cant even list the model of the cars properly, I highly doubt they are researched and designed very well.
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nothing to say
Last edited by NickZac : Feb 3rd, 2005 at 06:48 PM.
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