After looking at CAI claims and dyno results, it looks to me like two top choices are AEM and Fujita. My question is why does the K&N CAI significantly trail these in hp gains? I could understand lower hp results if used as a short ram only, but when installed as a CAI they claim about 7hp. Are the others designed that much better, since they are claiming almost 3x the increase?
Also, can someone that has a CAI installed on their 3G TL tell me how exposed the filter is? Is there any cover provided by the inner fender or bumper...or is the filter completely exposed?

 

The CAI HP/FT LB numbers they claim are way to high. I'd say you're looking at 5hp/5ft lb gains, max. Throttle response and sound however are much nicer.

I just installed mine over the weekend. I'm very happy so far.

The filter is tucked between the front numper and the fender liner. Really it should get very little to no water during regular driving. It's the huge puddles you have to worry about.

I also noticed I probably dropped 10 freaking pounds doing this mod. The stock air box and res are stupidly big and heavy.

 

Which CAI did you go with? It does sound like it tucks in very nicely. So the stock airbox and plumbing weighs that much...was it hard to remove?

 

Bumper off (12 clips, 4 bolts, 2 screws), stock intake off (like 6 bolts, move a harness, mount, done? Lol, it's really very easy.

I went with AEM.

 

taking the bumper off is a waste of time and effort. just take the wheel off and the fender lining, then bam intake is right in your face

 

^^disagree removing the bumper is very easy and makes the job much easier

 

not at all LOL. i can do a CAI on a TL in 30 mins from start to finish without taking the bumper off. ive done it so many times, and never took the bumper off, waste of time!

and start to finish means, putting car on lift > taking wheel and liner off > installing intake > putting it back together and driving off lift

 

OP, trust me, take the bumper off. He says he can do this is 30 with the bumper on, I bet I could do this in 20 with the bumper off... with air tools -_-

 

I agree with the bumper off posse...

I started by taking the fender liner off and ended up taking the bumper off to finish the mod. My install took about 1 1/2 hrs. It would have been 60 minutes or less if I had just taken the bumper off from the start.

 

The first 2/3 of the stock intake and the CAI install could be done fairly easily with the bumper on, but the last third and the resonator would be difficult to do with the bumper on.

Really, once you know where the clips and bolts for the bumper are, taking it off is a 5 minute job.

 

Yea bumper off is the way to go, I went through the wheel well and ended up cutting the 2 metal brackets that hold the last stock piece together to get it out.

 

I agree with you greco9885, I took the bumper off to clear my headlamps but I did not have any problem by just removing the wheel and the liner for the intake.

You should not have to break any of the stock equipment like I hear some of the members talking about.

Get a AEM v2 man

 

I guess removing the bumper to rip out the stock system would help (I didn't) but, here's the thing with plastic bodywork. Everytime you remove one of those cheap-ass plastic fasteners you risk breaking it, and they are prone to not going back in as secure as before you removed them.

For standard CAI filter removal and cleaning, taking the bumper off isn't necessary.

 

^ I have removed mine 3 times in 2 weeks, no broke clips. Plus they are all of what, 45c from the dealer?

 

My wheel lugs never break, it's faster, easier and I don't risk scratching or damaging my bumper that has to lay somewhere on the ground.

No need to argue. Try it both ways. When I read that the bumper didn't need to come off I didn't give it a second thought.