Autozone 2006 4.2 Custom CAI for $60

[24v 4.2]

Well, I took the plunge. I have been kicking around the idea of making my own CAI from autozone parts. I purchased a one piece spectre air intake kit (long polished 3" aluminium tube with a bend at one end) and two red spectre couplers. Intake tube was $39 and each coupler was $7.99

 

[24v 4.2]

resused the stock MAF housing (also 3") by cutting off the flexable rubber

The separate strip you see was glued to the MAF tube. I cut it and pulled it off (pretty hard to pull off). I then cleaned up the rubber left behind from the glue until the tube was smooth.

 

[Charley12]

Finished pic? Interesting choice! Curious of the turn out. I did this one on my cobalt a few years ago.

 

[24v 4.2]

I then measured and cut the aluminium tube (9" & 3/4 roughly) of the straight portion off, leaving a long straight tube and a short curved piece.

I then started fitting, and cut the straight tube to a little over 8" & 1/4.

And there you go for $60 you have a pretty good looking intake.

 

[24v 4.2]

A few more pics

 

[24v 4.2]

This is in preparation for my pcm of nc tune that is shipping tomorrow! :wootwoot: I think this will compliment the tune nicely.

 

[Berzerk]

:wootwoot: That looks great.....Good going.

 

[dmanns67]

I love the sound you get out of the engine and exhaust after the intake resonator has been removed. You can definitely hear the intake suck air as well.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Looks good

 

[willn513]

Nice job on this and good write up. I am sure you will help many others save a few bucks in the future by helping them build their own intake vs. buying one.

 

[Blckshdw]

Nice alternative you used here. One thing to keep an eye on, is your IAT sensor. Due to being downstream from the hose coming from the engine, it's going to get oil on it over time.

 

[AtlWrk]

The IAT on 2006+'s is part of the MAF sensor so no worries there.

Looks great I just wish it didn't involve cutting the stock intake apart.

 

[dmanns67]

The IAT on 2006+'s is part of the MAF sensor so no worries there.

Looks great I just wish it didn't involve cutting the stock intake apart.

Only if you reuse the factory air box. Not necessary IMO.

 

[mikeinDE]

Looks great! Nice and clean looking!

 

[jason43080]

VERY cool mod, thanks for sharing 24v! The pics look great and are very helpful, I could clearly see the part number of the kit in your pic. I've been bitten by the CAI bug myself but can't justify spending hundreds of dollars on something that doesn't seem to add performance, just change the sound. I'm very interested in possibly doing this myself, how difficult was it and have you noticed ANY performance gain?

 

[24v 4.2]

VERY cool mod, thanks for sharing 24v! The pics look great and are very helpful, I could clearly see the part number of the kit in your pic. I've been bitten by the CAI bug myself but can't justify spending hundreds of dollars on something that doesn't seem to add performance, just change the sound. I'm very interested in possibly doing this myself, how difficult was it and have you noticed ANY performance gain?

I think it may slightly improve performance, though not to an easily measurable extent. My overdrive seems to engage more quickly, and my gas mileage seems to have improved. I will get my pcm tune in the mail today, and I think the CAI will have more of an effect after the tune. All in all I am happy with my purchase.

It was not very difficult to do. The intake tube had instructions that told you to cut it just as I did. All you really need is a hacksaw. It cuts pretty easily since it is aluminum. The most difficult part was finding the correct length to cut it to. I kind of had to eyeball it and measure as best I could. It actually ended up the perfect length. And I have provided the measurements to make it easier for others.

It sounds awesome too!