Engine Should I? Yes or No - Injen Prototype Intake

Should I? Yes or No - Injen Prototype Intake

Hello all and thanx for all the good posts and DIY so far
I bought my first new car in Feb. 2004 Corolla S for two reasons only, it was affordable and reliable. Its a great car stock and I have no complaints. Its mostly a commuter and I have 3800 miles so far. At first, I thought I would invest some left over cash in performance, I resisted a CAI and instead thought I would invest money in apperance (tint) instead. However, I approached Injen technologies letting them know my car was close by for testing....

Well they want to bring my car in to re-design the CAI for S models. They said they were looking to build a switchable CAI + Short-ram application for change from summer to winter. They would take my car for three days and give it back with stock air-box, then I'd return in several weeks and get a first run production installed for free. Sounds great! But should I do it :?:

This will make or break the deal: Will it void factory waranty? I have yet to call the dealer. Will my car be in harms way, I can assume they will dyno it hard on a new engine? Also I've read good and bad on CAI and K&N/foam filters. Please advise, I want this car for a long time! I would be satisfied leaving it stock and having it run trouble free for ten years. Would a CAI be more risky over the long haul, IE sucking water, sucking oil (too much clean/lube), or letting in more dirt/deris. I was all for the test, but now I think that in the long run - the stock air box is the safer solution rather than sacrificing engine reliabilty for more horsepower. I'd appreciate the forums response. I have two weeks to commit to the deal, Thanks
Justin

I'd definitely go for it. the CAI filter will actually trap particles better than the stock filter. You really don't have to worry about sucking up water, the filter would have to be fully submerged in water to do any damage, and you said they were gonna make an intake that would double as a short ram didn't you? So if you're that worried about it just use it as a short ram. Even if you don't want a CAI you're helping others out by being the prototype car and you could even sell your free CAI on ebay or something.

Ya go for it. My friend has an injen in his mazdaspeed, and says its great. They make good stuff give it a try. The SRI-CAI thing is good too, most avaible right now for our cars dont have this feature, so go for it man its great. It will void the warrenty though, gauranteed, cause dealers are gay. Could be a hassle if something goes wrong, so put air box back on i heard its really ez to do.

Toyota dealer said it won't void your warranty as long as whatever problem that occur in the future is not related directly to the CAI. For example, if the MAF sensor failed and found that there was excessive oil around the sensors, you will have to pay for a new MAF. Sometime they'll make up a story to blame the problem on your intake. Other than that, they told me that I could put on any type of intake and be resposnible for it.

If it means getting a free intake system + install for your car, I would do it. Especially when they are redesigning it to make it even better. I know AEM has a short ram intake for the 03-04 Corolla too.

injen is a lot better then AEM, definitely go for it!, my friend's TSX has cold air/ short ram intake, he has it on short ram right now, but it's almost summer, he's just changed it to CAI, it's really good!, the sound is sooo loud! omg! you'd think he had and exhaust on his car wen he drives by ur house!

no question go for it.

Hey the encouragement helps a lot. Going through with this will definetly give me more driving pleasure. I have a few more questions for those of you with experience. Answer these and I'll have no reserves going with Injen.

In these testing/prototype situations, is it normal to have some agreement in writting? I'm going to ask, but didn't want to appear like a jerk. I have some reservations about giving strangers my car on faith alone.

My engine will probably have 4000 - 4200 miles on it by time the car gets dyno'd. Has there been sufficient break in time for pistons and seals to set? What is the probability of engine failure/destruction during a dyno test?

If I save the stock air box can I reattach it to the engine and take it to the dealer with them unable to tell should I have a warranty claim? I thought you would have to cut the rubber elbow joint to remove the stock box, making reattachment impossible?

How does a CAI effect gas mileage? I have an hour commute to work, so I run the numbers. I actually got 39.5 MPG going 411 miles on my last tank. But usually I get 36 MPG with a manual tranny

Thanks, Justin

Ive heard that if anything it improves gas mileage. Is this correct?

I recently got a AEM CAI for my birthday and it does give you better mpg if you dont drive like a complete asshole. If you drive like a partial asshole you will notice a difference in fuel comsumption.

The stock air box can easily be re installed. You do not need to cut the rubber hose, there are clamps on each end that you undo and then you can pull it off. Just make sure to tell the Injen guys to keep the stock air system intact incase you ever want to reinstall it. There should be no problems with the car on the dyno. Tons of cars are dynoed every day. Its no worse then if you were to hot rod arround for a little while. And since its a 5 speed it will hold up much better then an auto anyway. Our cars have rev limiters so they shouldnt be able to over wrap the engine. I have the TRD CAI and I noticed no diffrence in MPG, and i hot rod it more then i used to without it, so if you drive the same, you might notice an increase in MPG.

Ask them if the new setup will pass CARB and if they will have a sticker showing that it passes so you avoid inspection hassles. AEM does pass CARB. Being a prorotype I'm sure there is no sticker available but will they have one in the near future?

I'd have to go for it myself but check on the above

prototype?... too bad i dont live in cali... i have the injen CAI on my corolla and i cut it so i could do a short ram in the winter here in ohio.... works great and is easily put back together with a coupler.

Yep Yep, got to watch out for that ohio weather, never know whats going on. SRI can be important to have.