AEM Cold Air Intake Installation on 05+ Scion tC

[Tools Needed]
Phillips head / Flat head screw drivers
10mm Socket Driver
8mm Allen Wrench
Needle Nose Pliers


[Difficulty Level]
Moderately Easy - a great "first mod!"

[Quality of Product]
High Quality - I would expect nothing less from a company like AEM. After installation, you will notice a gain in acceleration and a cool new sound to the engine.

PLEASE NOTE: Instructions are BELOW their respective picture.

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/01s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/01.jpg)
BEFORE: Park vehicle on level surface, set parking brake, disconnect the negative battery connector. Remove the two nuts securing the plastic engine cover. Remove cover from engine bay.


http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/02s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/02.jpg) http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/03s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/03.jpg)
STEP 1 & 2: Pull the EVAP purge hoses free from the two rubber clips on the intake hose. Remove the crankcase breather hose from the intake tube. Save the factory clamp for later use in the install



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/04s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/04.jpg)
STEP 3: Unplug the mass airflow (MAF) sensor connector.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/05s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/05.jpg)
STEP 4: Remove the EVAP vacuum switching valve (VSV) from the intake tube by pulling straight up.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/06s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/06.jpg) http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/07s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/07.jpg)
STEP 5: Remove the two screws securing the MAF sensor. Remove the sensor, use care to avoid damaging it. Save the screws for reuse if the stock intake system is ever reinstalled.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/08s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/08.jpg)
STEP 6: Release the two upper airbox clips.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/09s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/09.jpg)
STEP 7: Squeeze the spring clamp on the intake tube at the throttle body. Pull the tube clear of the throttle body.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/10s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/10.jpg) http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/11s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/11.jpg) http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/12s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/12.jpg)
STEP 8 A,B,C: Unscrew the intake tube/box connector. Separate the tube and box and remove the tube.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/13s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/13.jpg) http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/14s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/14.jpg) http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/15s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/15.jpg)
STEP 9 A,B,C: Remove the upper airbox portion and filter to expose the lower airbox mounting bolts. Remove the three bolts and remove the airbox.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/16s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/16.jpg)
STEP 10: Remove the plastic rivets securing the lower airduct and remove the tube from the engine bay.

*ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE THERE WAS AN AFTERMARKET BODY KIT. WE DID NOT NEED TO REMOVE THE STOCK FENDER LINER. THIS REQUIRES REMOVAL OF 5 SELF-TAPPING SCREWS, 2 INSIDE THE WHEEL WELL AND 3 UNDER THE FRONT CLIP OF THE CAR. ALSO, REMOVE THE GROUND STRAP BOLT LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER’S SIDE HEADLIGHT (VIEWABLE IN STEP 17).



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/17s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/17.jpg) http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/18s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/18.jpg) http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/19s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/19.jpg)
STEP 11 A,B,C: Install two of the supplied rubber mounts in the threaded holes where the stock airbox used to be located. Be sure to remove the washer and nut from each rubber mount.




http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/20s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/20.jpg)
STEP 12: Install the rubber “hump” hose on to the throttle body. Loosely secure two #40 hose clamps. Also, at this step wrap the EVAP line with the supplied helical plastic wrap to prevent rubbing on the intake pipe.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/21s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/21.jpg) http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/22s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/22.jpg)
STEP 13 A,B: Insert the 90-degree bend of the upper intake pipe (the longer pipe) into the fender from the engine bay.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/23s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/23.jpg)
STEP 14: Install the upper intake pipe into the coupler at the throttle body. Leave the hose clamps loose for adjustment.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/24s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/24.jpg)
STEP 15: Connect the crankcase breather line to the nipple on the upper intake pipe. Secure with factory clamp.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/25s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/25.jpg)
STEP 16: The pipe brackets line up with the rubber mounts installed in step11. Loosely secure the first one to the rubber mount with the supplied washer and nut.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/26s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/26.jpg)
STEP 17: Install the remaining rubber mount where the ground strap bolt used to be under the driver headlight. Slide the ground strap onto the mount, then the supplied star washer and screw the mount into the open hole.




http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/27s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/27.jpg)
STEP 18: Install coupler onto the end of the upper pipe. Loosely secure the two #40 hose clamps.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/28s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/28.jpg)
STEP 19: Install the lower pipe into the coupler and loosely secure the #40 hose clamps to aid in centering the pipe on the mount inside the fender well.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/29s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/29.jpg)
STEP 20: The bracket on the lower pipe will line up with the rubber mount installed in step 17. Loosely secure the bracket with the supplied washer and locknut.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/30s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/30.jpg)
STEP 21: Install the AEM air filter onto the end of the pipe. Secure with supplied hose clamps. Tighten #40 hose clamps at lower coupler at this time.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/31s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/31.jpg)
STEP 22: Going back to the engine bay, secure the MAF sensor to the AEM intake with the supplied 8-32 screws. Use care to avoid damaging the o-ring.




http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/32s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/32.jpg) http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/33s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/33.jpg)
STEP 23 A,B: Remove the screw that secures the mounting bracket to the wire harness clip and to the VSV itself. Mount the EVAP VSV to the bracket on the upper intake pipe using the supplied M5 screw and washer. Insert the screw through the harness clip, the intake pipe bracket, and then thread it into the VSV. Adjust the wires so that they are not in tension.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/34s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/34.jpg)
STEP 24: Plug in the MAF sensor wire harness.



http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/35s.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/aem_intake_tc/35.jpg)
DONE: Reconnect battery negative. At this time secure the throttle body #40 hose clamps and upper tube mounting points. Also reinstall plastic engine cover and lower splash guards (if applicable) at this time. Check all connections and check to see for any tools in engine bay. Start engine and enjoy!

Awesome writeup. Just like how I installed my blue one :) Good job. How do you like it?

There's something about a hot girl's hands working on a car. Nice writeup!

--Dennis

There's something about a hot girl's hands working on a car. Nice writeup!

--Dennis

Agreed. Great pictures and writeup.

There's something about a hot girl's hands working on a car. Nice writeup!

--Dennis
lol i love that too

LoL - thanks for the kind words, fellas.

I may be a girl - and I may get my nails done - but I still work on my car too! :)

Nice write up.. great nails :lalala:

Side note: Whud up girl! I'm lovin the Ekset hat still.. pretty pimpin!

Writeups are more exciting when done with pretty nails! :D

Great work.

good writeup!

is it just me though, or does the whole pipe look thin? i think its just the picture, playing tricks on me. that or i dont remember my own CAI.

thats probably one of the best writeup for the tc! seriously, clear pictures, lots of pictures and descriptions. nice

I agree that the pipe appears to be smallish. Then again I'm used to looking at my massive pipe so im a little jaded :lalala:

http://socalpcguy.com/images/Motor1.JPG

ah yes yes, injen :]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

http://www.teskedesign.com/Installs/tcintake/Step13.jpg

im sorry, but a girl workin on her car just turns me on :love:

I think Instigator is trying to impress someone... talking about his massive pipe..

ok.. maybe I stepped over the line

--Dennis

sweet job, major props. i hope you didnt break a nail. =) pure sex how you installed it. probably better than most guys.

so who was taking the pictures then?becuase i see 2 hands in that photo..

very nice writeup. :)

and guys.. you can all stop drooling :silly:

i know why :rofl:

but i wont say anything

The boyfriend [yes, BOYFRIEND! Leg-humpers! LoL] stood back and played photographer. He digs that his girl is car savvy ;)

^^ hmm.. thought so. :)

He digs that his girl is car savvy ;)

:silly: Umm.. who wouldn't?

i know why :rofl:

but i wont say anything

haha thats awful. :D and has something to do with freud i'm sure.

a girl installing an intake? wow.. hottness

i think i'm gonna use these instructions for installing my CAI

looks like a real pro... keeping her hands all clean with out getting a speck of dirt on her hands and grease under her fingernails!!!

job well done!!!

lol, that's crazy. my gf just did a DIY for an intake installation too. she has a GSR though. she had nails too, so it took her literally 2 1/2 hours. lol

^^^ lol.. extremely nice write up. very easy to comprehend..

I agree that the pipe appears to be smallish. Then again I'm used to looking at my massive pipe so im a little jaded :lalala:

http://socalpcguy.com/images/Motor1.JPG

leave it to THIS guy to hijack someone else's thread to post a pic of his OWN engine bay.. :rofl:

Smaller diameter piping allows the system to maintain maximum/optimal air pressure throughout the whole rpm range and both hi/low throttle. Especially important for long piping runs of CAI's.

Will this diy work for fujita intake??

this was very helpful thanks

back from the dead!!!

.. uhm. wow.

lol at least we all know the guy who brought this back up, used the search button..