Why ditch the coupe for a box? I made the decision to swap my tC because of how much more room the xB had. Plus, the xB now had the same motor offered in the tC. While the 158 horsepower four-cylinder is plenty quick enough, I’ve never been one to turn down a little extra horsepower. I wasn’t looking for a full-blown race motor – just something that would give my xB an edge if I came up against another toaster. I decided to start off with an intake. I felt it was gonna be the best modification to start off with. Thing is, there are more intake options than colors in your Crayola box when it comes to the xB. Do you want a ram air? Or do you want a cold air induction? Do you go with TRD or K&N? The list goes on and on. After thinking it through and weighing my options, I went with K&N. The company has been around the longest, offer a really nice looking set up, freed up an advertised 9 more horsepower from the motor. Best of all, the kit was reasonably priced. I’ve done my share of wrenching, but the install was so easy nearly anyone could have pulled it off. I was very impressed with how simple and fast it was done. The directions were spot on, extremely simple to go through and required hardly any tools. As soon as I was done, I took the xB out, and from the first hit of the throttle I knew I had made the right choice. The sound is perfect — not too loud but not nearly as quiet as the stock intake set up. The power band is much smoother and I definitely noticed a power increase from 1,000 rpm all way to redline. That’s just from the seat of my pants, but still. Next up, the Box is getting a set of Tanabe NF210 lowering springs. Stay tuned.

A look at things before:


Stock air box removed:


Finished product:

 

Did you remove the hard plastic host behide the fender?

 

No. It gets left where it is since it fits into a hole on the side of the box where the filter is. You can sort of see it on the bottom right side of the box.

 

Looks really good! ow much did it set you back? I really like the TRD kit but with all the rain we have been having around here kind of afriad to get water sucked into the engine.

 

You don't need to install the side vent.

 

I got it for $300 so its pretty much the same cost for any other intake...

 

Yeah but it looks sweet! haha

 

You're right you don't NEED to install it but I figured if air was coming through that side vent and leading directly into filter it would be better.

 

$300 yeah thats about the same price as the TRD intake. Thanks

 

No problem! here is the exact part from the &N site.

http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...Prod=69-8613TS

 

Nice I have my eyes on the same setup! mind if I ask a couple of questions?

Have you had any CEL lights come on, I heard K&N intake pop lights any truth to that?

Also how long did the install take looks clean! good job!

 

Nice upgrade, the only think I worry about with is the heat soak you'll get once the summer time comes (even with the shield).

 

Nope not 1 CEL light has come on and it only took me 30 min to install it.

 

If you dont mind, I'd like to post a pic of my current stock airbox setup It might help you to better duct the factory hose in an attempt to make it a ram air setup.

 

let's see it...

 

Okies just give me bout an hour I gotta do some stuff!

 

Sorry... I ended up forgetting and started waxing my car cause its so nice out... Oh and its more than one pic... Just trying to show all the detail but its pretty simple lol. Nothing is holding the end of the hose on either end its just kind of supported and seems like it'll stay put especially on the bumper end. It sort of pushes against the bumper and rests on the edges of the inlet itself and the little tabs that hold in the fake plastic vent.

 

The inside of that hose is made of some kind of fiber that I think is meant for water resistance. it'll absorb what gets sucked in and just dry out when the car is resting for a good period. I'll be sure to check the hose to make sure it doesnt move as wind goes through but I think it'll be fine the way it is. Ive tried pushing it out of place and it takes a good deal of force. I havent even driven the car yet so we shall see. Im not expecting any gains really but this will be nice to have in the summer heatsoak.

 

This looks pretty cool and I may end up trying it. However, there is a stock tube that is very similar but I haven't looked at it long enough to see how far it goes down. All I know is that there was a place the tube on the K&N heat shield box. Do you happen to know how the stock tube goes?

 

CEL's happen most often when the owner OVER-OILS the filter after cleaning, or does not alow te filter to fully dry before useing it again. K&N units have never caused a CEL in our shop in more than 8 years now, unless the above has happened. I bet we have installed 200 or more in that time, both filters and CAI systems.

We have had problems with lesser CAI units that use too large of an intake pipe, or place the meters in the wrong part of the tube.