After some deliberation about the quality and looks of an upper intake pipe, I decided to make a better one made of metal. Here's a pic

http://www.drwebdesign.com/mymaxima/...ntakesmall.jpg

Advantages:
Super heavy duty quality
Can tap line for nitrous
Made using ordinary parts that you can buy anywhere
Actually cheaper than $15, I spent $12
Paintable
No worries about loose fitment.

Disadvantages:
Can take a while to make without proper tools.
Still doesnt look as good as others, until I find some more pieces.
Possibly less airflow than others

Should I do a write up on where to get the parts and how to make?
Daniel

 

Everything is working well so far, but I want to get rid of the accordion section.
Does anyone know where I can find a good looking pipe reducer?
Like the one in this pic



I want just the pipe connector on the left, in black if possible. I really want to find this around at a local place, because if I do a write up, then I want anyone to be able to get it easily also.
PLLLeeeeaaaassee help! I have been trying the local sport shops with no luck. But I dont want to order one.

 

Looks good. I have your original $15 intake on my car. Works good and cleans up some clutter. I've been looking into designing a slightly different one as well. Two things I can think of - 1> at home depot or lowes you should be able to get a plumbing reducer. You used a 3" to 3" coupler on the old intake, get a 3" to 2" or 2 1/2". Or 2> you can go to an actual parts store, like Napa, not Pep BOys and ask for (I think) a metal coupler w/ steel belted radials or something like that. Maybe you can print out your picture and show them what you mean. Good luck and please do a write up. IT doesn't need to be as elaborate as the old one but I'm curious where you got the metal pipe. Thanks.

 

Ya you can get a Fernco 3"x2" reducer coupler for the same price as the regular 3" one...
And please do a writeup. I've been planning on making a newer updated one myself......

 

The Fernco 3x2 wont work very well. The inner diameter of the reducer is bigger than 3" (since its for pvc) and the metal pipe outer diameter is right at 3". Its just too big to tighten down.

I called napa with no luck. Advance Auto, no luck. Autozone, no luck. Lowe's didnt have anything that I could find other than what I already had.

Thanks for the suggestion and any other suggestions are welcome!

Daniel

 

I will sound like a total newbie but what does this do performance wise. Do you need something for this to be useful or will this help you even if you are stock, including intake. All I have is a K&N filter.
Thanks,
Paul

 

Yes, please do a write up! I have done it with the rubber piece and it got pretty sketchy with the hoses that go in the rubber tube..air was getting in there and my car was having trouble turning over.

 

I'd also like to request a write-up. Your last one was great!

 

looks great
i too would like a write-up and the parts list

 

Anyone?

 

With a stock air box I'm not sure if it will do anything. Definitely wont hurt it though. Why don't you be the testor? I'll say that my car has a Stillen POP charger/ WAI whatever you want to call it and the $15 upper piece has shaved two tenths off of my 1/4 time. That's incredible for $15.

 

I'll take a stab at it..
Performance wise, this mod compared to what you have now will probably increase high end HP since there isnt the restrictive and funky resonator between your filter and the throttle body.This mod might possibly increase low-end torque. But, I dont think any one knows for sure. These gains will be most likely unnoticable, though. Probably 1 HP if that

The jury is out on whether this style is better than a Cold Air intake, but most seem to like it.

One of the benefits of the pipe is that it cleans up your engine bay a lot. It also makes your intake sound louder than before (good or bad)

 

i must thank you for your original write up. i made one with similar parts. i used a plastic barb and 5/8ths fittings and they squeeze into the hot water tubing perfectly. they also have an edge on them that makes it difficult to slip through the rubber coupling forming a locking hold. then i put shoe goo around them to form an airtight seal. if anyone wants to see my car goto www.imagestation.com and look up "maxima extravaganza." oh yea, that N1 style rear section is for sale. anyone want to buy it?
"if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

For reducers go to importstudio.com, they have a good selection.

 

Wow Somebody dropped .2 off their 1/4 mile? Thats pretty good!
I guess I will do a write up after the responses here. It might take a little bit, I want to find the throttle body pipe reducer and paint it first.

So does anyone know where to find one locally?

 

Maybe you could use the fernco along with the little rubber piece that used to be inbetween your MAF and the resonator...

 

Thanks for your help and please do a write up. Also when you say it's louder, is it extremely loud or is it just the right kind of loud. Also is it loud only when you step on it or is it loud at normal crusing speed?
Thanks,
Paul

 

I am also looking for a reducer. I was going to get one from importstudio, but their shipping is more then the product itself. So somebody PLEASE suggest some other places.

 

http://www.obxracingperformance.com/...tml/icOid/1064

 

its loud.....turn alot of heads if your anywhere above 3.5 k rpms.....after doing it...i dropped .9 sec off my quarter mile....lemme explain.
1st) it was done on the gtech, so accuracy is not the most accurate, however i did 4 runs each time, and they were all within .2 seconds of each other....
2nd) the first time i ran, with just the k+n and adapater, i had an extra person in the car, and lots of **** in the car.....then when it came time for the upper intake testing, it was just me myself in the car, and i took all the hsit outta the trunk, and also took out the spare.....the times were approx. 16.1 with just the intake, and then the fastest time was 15.3 with the upper intake, and all the other "weight reductions"

 

Ok, post where you got that tube already. Sheesh, your killing me.

 

They also have ridiculous prices. They charge $8.00 shipping on EACH of them. So if I get 10 I have to pay $80.00 in shipping alone.

 

If you dont want to pay shipping try something local. All the sites will propably charge you something like that. I think $8 each is a little much, you could propably get $5 each but that will still cost you $50.
Good Luck,
Paul

 

*hint* Autozone *hint*

If you are a do-it-yourself guy, the rest should be obvious.

 

looks like one of those exhaust reducer pieces
my question is how and what did you use to get the smaller intake piece in there? (the one that's 3/4 inch?) and how's it in there??