i just bought a 2007 tl type s auto, i took the secret weapon off my old 2004 tl, but i refuse to put it on this car due to the loss of power it caused on take off. i figured i would get a aem or fujita for this car, but damn, taking off the front bumper to install and then again if i wanna clean it, that doesnt sound like fun to me. i may just stay stock this time and go for a jpipe.

 

i do miss the sound big time though, lol!

 

1) You don't have to take the front bumper off to install a CAI.
2) Even if you do, taking off the front bumper is easy.

 

so how do you take out the factory resonator then? are you talking about removing the driver side wheels and tire, then removing the fenderwell to get to it? if there is another way i would love to know.

 

+1, it was simple man.

 

Yup installed my aem v2 without taking off the front bumper.
u'll be fine

 

+1

 

I don't know if I would go as far as saying that its EASY. It's super time consuming and a real pain IMO.

 

in response to yonkers914- so you did go in through the fender well to install your or? and im taking it that you have to go back in the same way just to clean your filter?

 

I would . I can pop either of them off in about ten minutes...takes about as long to put them back on, as well.


Yep, remove the wheel, pull back the fender liner (no need to remove), and install. Same process to clean the filter. You could also pop the bumper half off (just detach the driver's side and let it hang).

 

I still have no idea how you guys who installed their CAIs got that stock intake out by going through the wheel well. It was a huge PITA to get it out even with the bumper off. Taking the bumper off really takes 10-15 minutes do it that way it's easier

 

what do you guys think about just taking out the stock resonator and replacing the stock filter with a drop in k&n filter ? that way the bumper removal would just be a one time deal. your opinions would be appreciated.

 

1. you said you missed the sound. So that would defeat the purpose of the drop in although not sure how much different the sound would be with the drop in k&n. I noticed the difference on my accord but the intake sounded much better.
2. If you are removing the bumper anyway to remove the resonator, why not go ahead and install the whole intake. Its a "one time deal". I'd only remove the fenderwell to get to the filter. Its easy once the resonator is gone anyway.

 

true, very true, has anybody ever tried removing the battery and its holder to get the stock resonator out?