So I did what I have always stated that I won't ever do: buy a no-brand CAI from Ebay.

Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Scion...mZ270256418977

The price was $100 after shipping and in this case, shipping was very quick.

Inside the box was exactly as I had ordered: the CAI with a blue cotton filter and all necessary hardware. The quality of the welds are sturdy and all of the mount points are correct. There are quite a few edges that could use some sanding down to make the piping a little more user friendly to the hands, but nothing that I mind past the installation. Documentation is worthless.

I removed the stock intake and started to attach the the SRI portion of what I ordered. Fitment is good. The mount which holds the valve with two vacuum lines coming off of it needed to be bored slightly for the valve's mounting post to fit through. Once it did, it was loose. I zip-tied it solid. No biggie.

The MAF sensor fits very well. It slides in snug and screws in with two aftermarket screws. I had to screw down the sensor after connecting the wire harness because otherwise, the harness wouldn't fully attach again - some of the aluminum was in the way of the clip.

Here's where I had difficulty. I couldn't get the second piece of tubing to fit through the hole in the fender. I only removed the wheel and inner fender lining, which I don't think was enough. I didn't want to mess with it so I left it for now as only a SRI. Obviously, I can't vouch for the mounting of the second tubing.

There was one problem with the fitment of the filter. It's very close to the fender on the top side of the filter. I loosened the throttle body hosing and adjusted it as much as I could until the filter was not touching, but given enough force , the filter does touch the fender slightly.

Reconnected the battery, turned the car over. No CEL. Good. Let her idle for 5 minutes.

Very nice sound. I have ridden with my buddies tC equipped with the Weapon R. I think this one may be louder. Definite increase in throttle response. Butt dyno says more torque. I'm very happy with it and may or may not install the CAI section later.

As a side note, I believe the tubing is very similar to the Injen and HPS. Are they all from the same manufacturer? I don't know... Also, I do have a custom cat-back magnaflow installed which is my only other performance mod.

Here's a cell phone pic of the install:



Shoot me questions if you'd like and thanks to everyone else for posting so much good information on intakes. It helped my shopping so I wanted to give my $.02.

 

not bad i would suggest changing the filter to a name brand such as AEM, Injen, K&N.....But piping is piping right?

you say it touches the fender? does it rattle?

 

It might be rattling at around 5k. I was test driving it for about 45 minutes with various throttling and RPM. I can hear a distinct noise at about 5k but I haven't tested it enough to get consistent information. I'll post up if I find out. I'm going to have a buddy look at the filter with me revving high to see if the engine movement is shifting the filter into the fender. Hopefully it'll be obvious.

 

cool hope everything works out im still just gonna wait for the 08 tc fujita CAI

 

Fujita makes an intake for the 08 tc..........have been for a WHILE

 

no alotta people that sell them for the 08 ya it fits but it throws a cell code they will have the proper CAI for the 08 tc in a month or so people just sell the 07 saying it will fir the 08 to make money

 

What is the specific difference in the 08 from the 07 which causes a CEL code? I have not heard of a difference.

With that said, if you guys want to talk about the Fujita, I would appreciate that you do it on another thread to keep this one on point of my install.

Thanks

 

lol you ask a question then you say dont talk about it? make up your mind, and i think the mass air flow sensor is just a little bit different or somthing

 

in the pics of the ebay ad it looks like there is piping that would go down to the bumper, did you decide not to use that to prevent water damage or did the kit come without the extra piping?

 

He didn't use it because it was difficult to put the cai part of the piping in. I had problems with that too, my Injen got so scratched up trying to get it in there. Theres a certain angle you just got to put it in, and yeah can just do it w/ fender lining off.

 

Just so yah know there is no difference in the 07-09 model year engine wise. So that CEL is something else. The intake should not cause that. They did somethign wrong or fujita made a bad batch cause they are the same. 05-06 the MAF is different.

 

ya...if there's something different then how come every other company who makes intakes for 07+ don't have specific 2008 models?...there's no CELs w/ other 07+ intakes. Fujita just sux...go Injen or TRD or wait for AEM and K&N

 

to garmie- would you definitly suggest other tc owners to go with this cheap yet effectice CAI?

 

Just go injen people its the best out there. Second would be AEM.

 

Injen CAI FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

looks good man, and x2 on getting a name brand filter...

 

looks good get a better filter though

 

If you are wanting the best that money can buy, then no. I really had a hard time forking over the money for Weapon R or Injen. I took a risk with this purchase and it was a positive experience. It fits my needs and I'm sure that it would fit the needs of many other folks, however, there are folks that would rather have the other brands and that is something I can respect too. I would have one if I'd wanted to spend more money.

I would recommend it for the inexpensive and functional route, but I will be the first to admit that it is not quite the same quality as I have read in the others.

Good luck to you with your choice.

 

You are about the 5th person to suggest that. I will be getting a better filter once this one has about 10k on it. Even with spending $50 on an AEM or K&N filter, I'll be $50 than the next cheapest intake.

 

haha sry AEM dryflow ftw