I just put in an Injen CAI in the max last night. Had to disconnect and remove the battery to get the filter and heat sheild past the radiator fan and engine block. The battery has been disconnected for about 2 hours. I am consearned that my Advanced Timing may have gotten reset to factory settings from 17 degrees I had it at. The radio and all other electrical components lost their memory. I wanted to ask you guys if the ECU lost its settings with the battery being off for more than an hour. Anybody have similar experience?

 

Oh yeah... How does VAIS play with CAI. Do any components of VAIS sit in the stock air box? Thanks again.

 

Why Didnt You Go From Underneath The Car To Connect Sections Together?

 

This was just as easy, I had to take the battery off to the one of the screwes for the Air filter box off. I got the intake used, and guy only shipped in with one RED hose, that goes from the intake to the Engine Block. There is another really thin black hose that I did NOT disconnect from factory parts; this host just hangs rightnext to the intake body. I was kind of scared the car would not work, but it seems fine. This host is about 1/4" in O/D, and about 1/8" ID. I did not see anywhere it connects to on the Intake, or engine components. Are you guys aware of only one hose that connects to the intake, or am I missing something?

 

First of all the ECU should be fine, leaving the battery disconnected doen't reset your ECU on an 03. Second there is no part of the VIAS located in or near the air box, so no worries. And lastly the Injen for an O3 has only one hose going from the front valve cover to the intake piping, that dangling hose is a mystery to me at this point. If the car runs with no SES light and decent performance then leave it as is. Good luck and enjoy your intake.

 

Thanks for the quick reply kcowden. I was kind of worried about these issues. I think I lost some low-end torque. Am I imagining this, or did you guys experience the same thing? I had a short ram intake on my Camry, and it only made it better, much more responcive at mid-top end or rpm range. This car is a manual, so I can't really judge it. Does the Berk intake make a difference for you people; what I mean is short ram intake seem to be better that the longer full CAI?

 

I have an Injen on my 2k2 6 speed, but I don't have the heat shield. Without the shield I was able to install it without removing the battery.

I'm not sure if the shield really does anything positive. You may want to run it with and without to see if there is any difference. My thought was that the shield would hinder air flow through the filter, but that's just me.

 

I got the intake used from some guy off of eBay. He sent it to me with heath sheild. The reason I put it on, is because of all the water and sh*t from underneath the car. I am kinda worried it will get inside the engine. I like the short ram intakes, but not sure who makes good ones for the max, or if its even better than the real CAI.

 

I went from stock to Injen to stock to stock w/K&N drop in to a Berk short ram w/Apexi filter and love the Berk the best. With the Injen it felt like I lost some low end but the top was great. With the berk "I" feel like it has decent power throughout the entire RPM range, especially at the top. Can't tell you to sell you Injen for a Berk but if your happy with it then that's all that counts.

 

Had the heat shield with mine too and it was a PIA to get installed. Careful with the "real CAI" thing here.... this has been and will be a very debated issue here forever. I like the short ram best of all.

 

Where is the cheapest place to get a Berk short ram? I went to their web site, and its $180 with shipping with apexi filter. Anybody know of cheaper places off the top of your head? Thanks.

 

Got mine through a group deal here on the org. I think I paid 180.00 and the GD was for free shipping. I think you'll find that what you get for the price is worth it. Most of what I've read here about the Berk is positive. I'm not knocking the Injen, it was a great good looking intake but, I like the Berk better.

 

I had my Injen CAI put on two weeks ago and I feel like I have better throttle response, midrange and high end but I do feel like I lost a little 'sharpness' around 3k-ish.

After I get a perf B-pipe, I'll get the SAFCII and then dyno tune it. Stay tuned.

 

I have a Berk/K&N and feel the slight low end loss too but everywhere in the powerband it feels fine....

 

Got my Berk with K&N filter for $99 shipped in a "blowout" sale of some sort... keep in touch with Bryan (Cobymoby) and he'll inform ya of such deals when they come around...