Looking for a cold air intake for my 2004 TL.

So far this is the cheapest I found.

I want to spend around $100 or so... And I wouldn't mind getting a used one from someone.

Please advice?

 

the cheaper route would be to just swap the factory air filter with a K&N air filter. the car already comes with a cai. you'll be spending $40 for the swap........that's what i did for now.....

 

You will nto be able to find a decent CAI for $100...maybe a short ram, but our stock systems are better than any short ram would likely be.

 

How was the fit? I have read that the current K&N offering leaves gaps, was this the case on your install? Also did you notice any performance improvement??

Thanks!

 

Well I don't really care about the insignificant performance increase... I just mostly want it for the sound it makes...

Anyone used the one in my link (http://www.nopionline.com/nopistore/...RA%20TL%202004)

And can comment?

 

that was the cheapest one i found online too, there's someone on this forums who has bought from nopi he said that it comes with all the parts for install, for 166... i'm ordering one myself.

 

I just sent you a PM Huyeputalo

 

it was a perfect fit. there were no gaps. the k&n site no longer lists it for the 04 TL. i ordered mine from bavauto.com since it was the same size as the older 5 series BMW. a swap like this isn't going to be very noticeable in your buttdyno. i am sure it slightly better than the stock filter. you will notice a slight improvement in gas mileage.

like anything, it'll be your call.

 

I second 3 PUTT. Although I have not dynoed for proof, I put in a K&N filter AND removed the passenger side of the induction that wraps around up by the battery. This is fairly easy to do once you get the damn bumper off (unless someone finds a better way that is). Reason for this being, why would you need MORE tubing that the air has to sift through, especially heading up towards the WARM engine bay. This only increases temp and it is to the car's benefit as the air is now inducted straight from the inlet in the bumper and radiator instead of near the engine bay/battery inlet. This gives the potential for increased and cooler air induction, which is exactly with a CAI does. You are going to remove all the tubing to put the CAI in anyway, why not save $100 for the same result? Couple this with the K&N filter which provides equal initial filtering and better long term filtering than OEM, you are sounding good. Although I would estimate no more than 5-10 wheel HP gain, the sound in itself is worth it.

I did not have the filter and tubing done simultaneously, so I can testify that having just the K&N helps sound, but only at high rpms. After this induction modification I can hear a difference from 2K up. The best way to describe the sound it makes would be like a shop vac is under the hood. Ok, that might not be the greatest analogy, but it sounds awesome nonetheless. Slightly like the sound of a small plane taking off, "whoosh". I thought that it was psychological at first, but now after some fun with a co-worker who has 6MT, I realize it seems to pull through gears slightly quicker. Of course this helps as power is also delivered quicker.

Now about the K&N filter, the FILTER fits perfectly. It will do the job 100% effectively. The only thing that does not fit are the CORNERS. For some reason the corners are flat and the filter box corners are just more round than sharp. So, you must snip the corners just slightly (like clipping a nail) for a good fit. Functionality is not compromised, and an Acura rep confirmed this for me after looking at it. All things considered I do not regret this at all. Any questions PM me, thanks.

EDIT: After seeing the last post, the K&N did also increase my gas mileage, even under hard driving by 40-60 a tank.

 

Great info, Thanks.