Celica Forums General Discussion Exterior Hybrid CAI

Ok guys and girls, I know many of you have CAI's and some of you don't. I am currently running a stock airbox with a TRD filter. I was interested in buying a CAI and I have found info stating that all the CAI's out there don't push the engine to it's potential, and the theory makes good sense. All CAI's (to my knowledge anyway) have 2.75" diameters around the MAF sensor housing, the stock diameter around the MAF sensor is 2.5". That MAF sensor is programmed to read the speed of the air in a 2.5" pipe, if you put that sensor in a larger pipe it will think the air is flowing slower than it really is. (Anyone, correct me if I'm wrong, this is all my opinion-not facts). So what some people are doing is cutting off the tops of their CAI's (just before the MAF sensor housing) and modifying their stock airbox and MAF sensor housing to hook up to the CAI. I have a simpler, and cheaper way of doing this "perfect Intake". Buy a conical air filter (K&N for example), two Intake tubes from A&A at abount $20 a piece (1 w/a 45 degree angle and one straight), Some rubber pipe connectors at your local hardware store, modify your airbox yourself(2.5" MAF sensor housing), and cut the Intake tubes (that are 2.75") and locate the filter where AEM does, and spend a total of about $85 for everything. What do you think? -don

congrats don, you just made an ebay CAI...


its good that your thinkin, but brand name CAI's have R&D behind them...

Im glad more people are seeing the significance of the fins and piping diameter. However TPR already makes a CAI that uses both 2.5" inch piping and MAF fins (which are being patented). And its dyno proven, but great job on the idea

Run a dyno see what happens

never hurts to think

spatzikid, clearly i am aware brand name companies have R&D behind them, although duplicating their product is not rocket science. I would much rather pay the money for the TPR Intake (like Easy C said, which i was not aware of) in comparison of making my own due to the appearance adn also saying "homemade Intake" doesn't sound too promising, but i'm sure it could surprise you. I really don't think there would be a huge difference between that homemade idea and an AEM, I know that's a bold statement and I have no proof, so it's not that credible. the location of the filter, the diameter, and the MAF sensor is what is important to Performance and in that home made it would be all the same, except not polished aluminum. i would just like to know if anyone on here has done this, how it worked and did anyone test it on a dyno?

haha ebay.

AHH i didnt know that was on ebay, so i guess that's all and that diameter around the MAF doesn't make a dif? i guess the ECU would kind of adapt to it?

the MAF environment is critical to the engine making power. Look at injen. its maf placement makes a horrible low end. however its short piping allows for a better high end. AEM allows for more low end. however its longer piping makes it suffer up high. The TPR has shorter piping than injen, however incorporates the fins and piping diameter so it compares with AEM's low end and Injens high end and demolishes both at lift switch over. Theres threads on it all over celica boards, Ecelica, Team Celica, Club Celica, New Celica all have threads. I would suggest visiting the new celica site and check the Intake threads and you will see what people think of it but for comparison i have driven a homemade Intake, ebay Intake, injen Intake, aem Intake and the TPR.

the ECU cant adapt to it mxsuperfly because it is a physical aspect of the MAF sensor's soroundings which it cant understand and the ecu is limited to so little flexiblity. the only way would be too manually edit the settings, which a stock ECU doesnt allow thats why you need an EXPENSIVE aftermarket ecu like from apexi to adjust.. thats probably the only circumstances where AEM and INJEN Intakes can really do their best with an aftermarket ECU.. but i could be wrong now TPR has an advantage because it plays our stock ECU...

simply put in my opinion
with stock ECU - TPR is better then INJEN, AEM (dont take me wrong they still do okay)
with aftermarket ECU - All three Intakes are improved to the same level

hey guys thanks a lot for all your info, one of my friends has an aem on his gts, i'm going to throw it on mine and see how i like it, i will do some more research on that TPR before making a purchase, thanks again! -don

anyone got a link ot the tpr Intake?

PM easy_c .. he's the owner of TPR... their website is not done yet so.. just send him a message