Homemade CF CAI
10-23-2010, 04:27 PM
#1
Homemade CF CAI
It's been a while since I've really done anything with my car, but seeing as how I've recently been laid off. I I figures why not make a carbon fiber intake.
It was quite simple to make, and everything cost about $80ish not too bad. All I did was take about a 2yd length, wet it out and wrap it around a 3.25" cardboard tube which gave me a 3.5"od tube, exactly what I was looking for. Then I cut it into two separate lengths and joined them with a 90° elbow, and stuck an Aem dryflow filter on the end.
I'll admit it's nothing fancy. The weave is distorted and doesn't look all pretty, but it gets the job done.
The first pic shows what it it looks like with the plastics all on, and the second pic kinda gives an idea of how the tube runs down behind the bumper.
It was quite simple to make, and everything cost about $80ish not too bad. All I did was take about a 2yd length, wet it out and wrap it around a 3.25" cardboard tube which gave me a 3.5"od tube, exactly what I was looking for. Then I cut it into two separate lengths and joined them with a 90° elbow, and stuck an Aem dryflow filter on the end.
I'll admit it's nothing fancy. The weave is distorted and doesn't look all pretty, but it gets the job done.
The first pic shows what it it looks like with the plastics all on, and the second pic kinda gives an idea of how the tube runs down behind the bumper.
10-23-2010, 06:05 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
nice!! good project
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10-24-2010, 06:38 PM
#9
Thanks for all the kind words. I wasn't sure how my ghetto intake would be received around here. Next up are the rv6 PCD 's to go along with my V3 J-Pipe, and a flat black vinyl roof.
I just took the tire off and went through the fender liner so no need to take the bumper off.
No, I definitely didn't leave the cardboard inside. I wrapped it with clear packaging tape which works as a poor mans mold release, and yanked the cardboard out of the cf tube which left a nice smooth inside. The cardboard didn't come out as easy as I expected, but it came out none the less.
I just took the tire off and went through the fender liner so no need to take the bumper off.
No, I definitely didn't leave the cardboard inside. I wrapped it with clear packaging tape which works as a poor mans mold release, and yanked the cardboard out of the cf tube which left a nice smooth inside. The cardboard didn't come out as easy as I expected, but it came out none the less.
Last edited by crbnfbr; 10-24-2010 at 06:43 PM.
10-24-2010, 07:50 PM
#10
Team Owner
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That looks pretty simple and straight forward....
10-26-2010, 07:05 PM
#12
Bonki Ehrite!
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I like it. It looks clean. And as far as it being a ghetto setup im sure it works just as well as any AEM or Injen CAI would. Theres no reason to buy one if you have the skill to make your own.
10-26-2010, 07:13 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
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Looks great, Ive done some CF work before and I know its a bitch. Did you just use fiberglass resin on it? If you put a bunch on and sand it smooth and clearcoat it looks tight.
I live up on camp lejeune and i pass through MB sometimes goin to Charleston, are there a lot of TL guys down there? Im supposed to be driving down there to get my bumper fixed cause a tow company there messed up my front bumper, I just dont have time...
I live up on camp lejeune and i pass through MB sometimes goin to Charleston, are there a lot of TL guys down there? Im supposed to be driving down there to get my bumper fixed cause a tow company there messed up my front bumper, I just dont have time...
11-05-2010, 08:36 PM
#17
Team Owner
I like! It beats the outrageous prices for a $20 powdercoated aluminum tube with a $35 airfilter on the end of it like the common CAIs.
My other car had a 5" intake made from the sewer dept parts at Home Depot with a 14" K&N. I think I had $50 total into it.
My other car had a 5" intake made from the sewer dept parts at Home Depot with a 14" K&N. I think I had $50 total into it.
11-06-2010, 05:35 AM
#19
Moderator
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Looking good!
08-17-2012, 01:07 AM
#23
Apologies for resurrecting an ancient thread, but there was a few questions about the resin I Used.
I got my epoxy resin from this website: http://www.carbon-fiber.us/epoxy-res...3354_3368.html
I'd personally error on the side of caution, and go with the slow curing resin(just search for epoxy laminating resin). The website I posted earlier is located in Charleston, SC which makes shipping time very fast. Plus, my Mother works in North Charleston. So. I'm hoping they offer local pickup.
It's actually pretty damn strong. I had a piece left over tube that I cut off, and decided to throw it in my bench bench, For the life of me I couldn't get it to break or even crack for that matter.
I got my epoxy resin from this website: http://www.carbon-fiber.us/epoxy-res...3354_3368.html
I'd personally error on the side of caution, and go with the slow curing resin(just search for epoxy laminating resin). The website I posted earlier is located in Charleston, SC which makes shipping time very fast. Plus, my Mother works in North Charleston. So. I'm hoping they offer local pickup.
It's actually pretty damn strong. I had a piece left over tube that I cut off, and decided to throw it in my bench bench, For the life of me I couldn't get it to break or even crack for that matter.
08-17-2012, 09:46 AM
#26
Safety Car
Good job. Make sure you have it mounted or anchored somewhere in the car. When the pipe drops down through the bottom of the engine bay there is a metal straight edge that'll keep banging up against your intake when the engine jerks and eventually it'll put a hole in your intake. I had to replace mine and got it bolted down and wrapped in heat wrap so there wouldn't be metal on metal contact.
08-17-2012, 10:25 AM
#28
Good job. Make sure you have it mounted or anchored somewhere in the car. When the pipe drops down through the bottom of the engine bay there is a metal straight edge that'll keep banging up against your intake when the engine jerks and eventually it'll put a hole in your intake. I had to replace mine and got it bolted down and wrapped in heat wrap so there wouldn't be metal on metal contact.
08-17-2012, 10:50 AM
#30
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air intake tubing? 
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