Hi guys, I'm in the midst of installing my CAI, and I've got a noob question. One of the steps in the instructions says to drain a gallon of radiator coolant into a container. I forgot my helm's manual at home so I'm wondering how to do this without making a mess. Can someone please help me? Maybe with some pics? Thanks!

Rob

 

hey...man...i can't really help u out with the coolant...but what INTAKE did u get? also...being ur one of the DIY type guys....write up? ur write up for the PS2 helped me out a lot when planning things out.

 

Rob there is a 3rd Gen guy named shalinz . He is a friend of mine. Hes got the manual. If you PM him I know he will be glad to help you out.

 

It's real easy to drain the radiator, and the picture is more confusing than what I am going to tell you.

Remove the radiator cap first. Then, under the car, directly behind the radiator, right in the middle there is a rectangular opening cut in the plastic shield. There is a knob shaped like a wing nut there. Just loosen the knob, drain the coolant, tighten the knob, and you are ready to go.

I have read some people posted they didn't drain the coolant and very little leaked out, but since it is so easy to drain you might as well do it.

Moved this to Parts & Performance.

 

To add to this discussion;

Zax, when you do refill your rad, the procedures in the manual (Page 10-7)

Fill it to the base of the filler neck.

Install Radiator Cap loosely

Start Engine nad let it run until it warms up (the radiator fan comes on at least twice)

Turn Off the engine. Check the level in the radiator and add coolant if needed.

Put the radiator cap on tightly, then run the engine again, and checks for leaks.

Clean off any spilled coolant.

Best regards

frenchnew

 

I never drained mine when I did the AEM install. I disconnected the 2 coolant lines and a little spilled onto the floor. I topped it off when i was done a added only about a cup...check the overflow bottle while you are there.

 

Hey guys! Thanks for all the replies. I found the little wingnut thing under the bumper and everything went EXTREMELY smoothly. I'll gladly do a writeup even though the instructions from AEM are good. I wouldn't say they are perfect, but they are very good. You have to feel comfortable doing stuff to your baby.

Anyway, the car definitely feels faster at higher RPMs and even off the line it feels good. And of course the sound is incredible. I had a video camera all ready to tape before and after sounds, but in my haste (and excitement -- it's been on order for a month), I forgot to do a before tape, so an after tape is almost useless.

To anyone who is hesitating to get the AEM, go for it, for $200 delivered you really can't go wrong. PS, I painted mine matte black to have a stealthy, clean look in the engine compartment. If anyone would like pics, I'll gladly take some

 

how did u take out the stock air box?

 

Believe it or not, the instructions from AEM are quite clear for taking out all the stock parts. There is a coolant line that you replace and a breather tube that you replace on top of the intake. To remove the stock air box, there are some obvious screws that you undo from the engine compartment, and the rest of the job you do from inside the wheel well. You take off the driver's wheel, then the inside plastic covering, and you can access a few bolts that need removing, and a couple of aluminum rivets that you have to drill through. It really goes quickly. My friend and I took about 3 hours I'd say. If I had to do it again, it would take a lot less time.

 

Both my sisters inlaw live in Edison NJ and that's 3 hours away....are you further than them?.... I will install your intake for a 30 pack on any weekend it doesn't snow....I'm in Westfield MA..

 

Ditto here...no need to drain, you just have a couple of papertowels to soak up the few drops that will leak as you swap yhe hoses and done deal saved yourself a lot of work...

 

I know this question has probably been asked before. Besides the grunt from the start, is it much louder than the stock? When lightly steping on the gas or at steady highway speeds, is it very noticable? I'd like to put one in, but if it's too loud (ricy) I'll have to reconsider.

 

In regards to the coolant line, I just clamped it closed using a pair of needle nose pliers, so I lost just a little coolant and had paper towels ( highly absorbant ) in place to soak up the leakage. No big deal and didn't have to drain it.

In regards to the sound. Below 3000rpms there is really no noticeable difference in noise level. At 3500rpms a low growl starts to develop. The sound ( music?? ) when the V-tec kicks is great, like stock but an octave lower. Overall i'd say it makes the car more muscular sounding than rice.

There is a slight whistle (really, really slight ) at low speeds <15mph.....and only with the radio off and the windows down.

 

Thanks for the info

 

If you'd be willing I'd like to here a post-installation video and see pics of how it looks in your engine bay.

Thanks