when I was disarming the intake to replace the starter I noticed thaT the rubber seal that goes from the intake hose to the plastic thing under the filter has wasted away...how can I replace it because I get the feeling that the intake is taking in air from where it shouldn't (i.e. the plastic thing under the air filter....) can I replace the missing seal or do I have to get a whole new intake?

 

You can go to a hardware store and ask for that material, don't know what it's called but you can cut it and stick it back on.

 

The amount of air thats getting past that seal is completely miniscule (sp?) and really shouldn't be of any concern. It's so small and it's before the filter and MAF sensor, don't worry about it.

 

the thing is that the seal is what makes sure the intake pulls in air from where it's supposed to so without it there is a breach in the intake, so the intake pulls in HOT air from the engine bay (which is bad for combustion) instead of pulling it in from the front of the car, or am I wrong?

 

Do you know how many people run a short ram intake? Filter sits right where the stock filter is sits inside the engine bay. Open right to all the engine heat. Including myself

 

Yep, I just installed my intake as a short ram because I didn't feel like drilling holes for the full intake. Seems to work fine.