Detailed CAI

[GrandAmSSE]

When I posted pics of my CAI in the performance forum it was pretty ghetto. At the time I had cut up my old intake and then realized that I didn't have all the parts I need to finsh.:mad: So I had to make it work. I have detailed half of it and wouldn't be able to detail the rest till next weekend. It got scratched up putting it back in and I'm not going to fix them only to get it scratched up again when I take it out to detail the other half. Well here it is.

[GrandAmSSE]

Close up.

[XoticGA]

Where'd the "Pontiac" come from?

[quadkid]

looks better already. I like that little Pontiac logo on there.

[Mike94SE]

Now why didn't you just day it was for fab? We'd be more understanding.

Also you need another coupler, that elbow will not hold.

[GrandAmSSE]

The pontiac thing came off my old grill. I kept the badge when I made the mesh ones. Then I used some double sided tape and attached it. As for another coupler I'm way ahead of you. Didn't think of how much the engine twisted. I'm drawing out ideas on how I could put another coupler in there. I was thinking maybe a rubber elbow to replace the white part. The only bad thing I can see with that is if I launch hard it might twisted it and start to cut down airflow. Was also thinking maybe getting a longer coupler that attachs to the TB and then that might give it the extra flex it needs. Any thought or ideas on how I could do this other then what I said I'd love to hear them. I also noticed something strange, even once the engine warms up and the hood has been close the black pipe stays pretty cold. I thought this was strange cause black is supposed to attached heat.

P.S I thought I said the tape was temporary till I could get the stuff I needed the next day.

[Mike94SE]

Usually couplers hold the pipe end to end as in you'd push each in until it touches the other. Then clamp. An it'd take a lot of power to **** the connection up like you think it would

[GrandAmSSE]

So a rubber elbow would work then? Another decal I have but din't put on cause I didn't think it would look good it for hot and cold water pipes. Its an arrow <--- and on it says COLD. At first I thought it would be cool but am not sure. What do you think?

[Mike94SE]

As long as you don't put over 14 psi on em.....

[adam4tw]

Originally posted by GrandAmSSE
I thought this was strange cause black is supposed to attached heat.
No, black absorbs heat from light sources because black absorbs the whole visable light spectrum, as other colors do not, and white absorbs the least heat because it reflects the entire visable light spectrum.

Basically, color only affects heat absorbed from the sun. The darker the color, the more light is being absorbed. Under your hood the color is completely irrelevant to heat.

On another note, I like how your intake is starting to look :)

[RedGrandAm2003]

me too. looks pretty good now

[nice96gt]

There is a how-to for a cai for the 3100 if you are looking for any tips.

Also, I don't see where you put your IAT sensor into the tubing and why is this return line(red circle) not in the coupler? You sould probably cut a hole for it. Also make sure it is still connected firmly in the back.

[inferno]

i guess pvc works

[RedGrandAm2003]

PVC works but it's probably not as good as a polished aluminum one performance wise. but there's no way to test that one unless bill bought one and dyno'd it :p

[inferno]

i guess. maybe i should do that too i have some extra pvc in my basement

[RedGrandAm2003]

Are you that hard up for money though?? I dont know I've you've noticed his other mods... ex: Chicken wire grills, spray paint carpet, etc

and the Flowmaster sticker... does your car have anything on it that deals with flowmaster other than the sticker?

[inferno]

no im not that hard on money. i have a WAI right now :)
i will be installing a HO manifold in the spring along with my system plus an upgraded suspension. im going to spending alot of money before Albany 06. But i might give the pvc a shot . not for under the hood tho. I got ideas in my head that i want to accomplish but if i ever get around to it ill post picks of my crazy ideas

[RedGrandAm2003]

:lol: YOUR CWAAAAAZY! ok i'll calm down :)

[quadkid]

you wont notice any performance differences between PVC and aluminum. Actually, i think it would be a little better since the PVC wont get as hot as the aluminum. Aluminum is a great conductor of heat so it heats up relatively quick. But at the velocity the air is moving through the intake its neglitable.

[GrandAmSSE]

Originally posted by adam4tw
No, black absorbs heat from light sources because black absorbs the whole visable light spectrum, as other colors do not, and white absorbs the least heat because it reflects the entire visable light spectrum.

Basically, color only affects heat absorbed from the sun. The darker the color, the more light is being absorbed. Under your hood the color is completely irrelevant to heat.

On another note, I like how your intake is starting to look :)

I thought it absorbed radiated heat to and thats why all the old hotrods had white exhaust.

[inferno]

if it absorbs heat then why did u paint it black if you want COLD air getting into your car not air that has been warmed due to the piping that has warmed up because of radiant heat.


but anyways it doesnt matter what color it is cause factory piping is black

[GrandAmSSE]

Forgot about that.

[RedGrandAm2003]

Why not paint it chrome? :lol:

[quadkid]

or use header wrap? another trick they used back in the day on hotrods. :thumbup2:

[RedGrandAm2003]

dont you mean heat wrap? *shrugs*

edit: Now that I think of it... you know what would look good? Aluminum foil wrapped around the PVC :lol:

[mrjoecanadian]

well maybe it don't look great but I wonder if the same setup would work on my GA, cause I can't find a CAI to buy.

[GrandAmSSE]

It should. You can make it look good.

[RedGrandAm2003]

Have you ever thought about smoothing the PVC elbow? sanding it down and stuff? It would look better.

[GrandAmSSE]

How would I do that? Show me what part I could sand?

[inferno]

the elbow that goes into ur fender.

[RedGrandAm2003]

yeah.. how its all blocky like.. just go at it with sandpaper/sander... just dont go too deep.. just make it all rounded rather than having like.. edges.

[GrandAmSSE]

Ok I get you now. Yeah I could try that. Bet it woul like good without the sharp edges.

[RedGrandAm2003]

Yeah for sure. Like I said, dont go too much or you'll put a hole in it.

[GrandAmSSE]

No just try to smooth out the shape edges on it.

[RedGrandAm2003]

yeah exactly, and paint the rest black or green or somethin.. would look better ;)

[GrandAmSSE]

What about that decal? Yes, no?

[RedGrandAm2003]

Meh. Decal is ok. But you dont need it :)

[GrandAmSSE]

Screw it I'll leave it off. Cloging up the place with stickers will make it look bad.

[mrjoecanadian]

Originally posted by GrandAmSSE
It should. You can make it look good.

Yea but I would need some details , like were is the washer fluid now and how is your battery tied down...etc

[RedGrandAm2003]

I believe his battery is in the trunk now.

[GrandAmSSE]

Yep. Damn gell cell battery was dead so I'm just gona get the box.

[quadkid]

Originally posted by RedGrandAm2003
dont you mean heat wrap? *shrugs*

edit: Now that I think of it... you know what would look good? Aluminum foil wrapped around the PVC :lol:
haha, gawd no. He just mentioned how rodders used white painted pipes, just added how they also wrapped them. Ugh, a wrapped intake would looks like crap, haha.

[RedGrandAm2003]

noooo way. :lol: it'll be a polished aluminum pvc intake. jeez.

[quadkid]

haha :lol:

[inferno]

spray paint it chrome

[RedGrandAm2003]

Chrome spray paint doesnt stay chrome. It'll look good for awhile. :(

[inferno]

well he can just polish it back up when it starts to fade

[RedGrandAm2003]

You cant really polish chrome paint. Besides, it would be a PITA