AirAid Intake System Installation
The AirAid performance intake system upgrade is an alternative to K&N's Injection Performance Kit. It is about $100 cheaper than the K&N kit ($160 vs. around $270) and is made out of aluminum instead of plastic. However, it does still use a K&N filter.
There wasn't much to the install. I began by removing the old air filter and box. First, I loosened the hose clamps on the front side of the mass airflow sensor since everything in front of that is not used with this kit. Then I removed the air box by removing the mounting bolt near the anti-lock motors and two plastic connectors by the radiator support. Once these were disconnected, the box lifted out fairly easily. Once the box is out, there is a piece of the plastic mount left on the radiator support. This should just slide up out of the tabs holding it in place.
The Airaid system then just bolted on.
The first step is to install the short rubber hose with stainless steel sleeve onto the mass airflow sensor. The aluminum tube of the Airaid then slips into the open end of this sleeve. There is an extension welded to the aluminum tube that bolts to the mounting point of the old air box near the anti-lock motors using the OEM hardware. Once you have this in place, slip on the K&N cone filter, check for clearance all around, and tighten everything down.
Here is the list of claims that they make on their website.
- Up to an 11 HP Gain!
- 3.5" Seamless mandrel formed tubing.
- Powder coated for maximum heat rejection and durability.
- High-tech close tolerance stainless steel couplers.
- Aerospace standard fasteners.
- BIG K&N filter. Filter service kit included.
- Easy 1/2 Hour installation. Detailed instructions.
There was a definite improvement in top end, but I think I got more like 5 hp than the 11 hp they claim. I think this was mainly because I already had a K&N filter with a modified stock air box so the difference wasn't as great as it would be on a stock truck.
One other thing - with the open filter element you can really hear it sucking in the air if you have the hood open.Overall, it's a great kit. It is very high quality, easy to install, and even comes with the filter servicing kit. It's a little expensive, but the performance, sound, and appearance were worth it for me.
NOTE: Photographs are property of AirAid. They can be reached at http://www.airaid.com.
2000 ZR2 1997 ZR2 1994 Z28 1989 ZX750R 2000 NHRA Trans Am
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Questions, comments, suggestions? Send mail to: Scott BraemerLast Updated 06 September 2002 12:53
