CAI filter inlet

[stevej37]

Purchased a replacement filter for my Fit. The old one had over 60K miles and had been cleaned numerous times. Being unshielded from the road it gets dirty quick.

My problem is the new filter inlet diameter is about a small quarter inch too large. In other words I need to build up the CAI or decrease the filter inlet.

My only idea is to build up the CAI with about 10 or 20 rounds of plastic friction tape.
It would't show and should last.

Any other better ideas?
Do they make or sell an adapter for that small of a change?

[john70t]

That's what I'd do.
Finding a perfect diameter/thickness sleeve would be difficult.
(Yeah I don't think the split rubber fusing thing or pipe expansion is gonna work so good either.)

Look for removable but thicker tape with heat resistance and adhesion.
iirc Gorilla makes something but it would be difficult to remove.

[stevej37]

^^^ Thanks..that's prob what I will do. I'll get that thicker tape...the stuff I have would take a lot of layers.

[Scott Douglas]

Looking at that pic I'd be tempted to see if I could get the old filter to go into the new filter end.
If it will go, cut the end off and use it.

[stevej37]

I did match them up and yes the old one will just barely fit inside the new one. The new one is much less pliable material and I'm afraid if I cut the old one off...I might not be able to slide it on the intake when its inside the new one.
I put the old one back on until I get some thicker tape.

[Scott Douglas]

You have your order of assembly wrong.
Put the old piece on the intake first, then slip the new one on. You might have to lube it up with some soapy water to get it to go over it but it should go.
If it doesn't, file the OD of the old one till the new one fits over it.
I'd much rather have a solid piece like the old end in there than tape.

[pwd72s]

I take it K&N or somebody doesn't make a match for your old filter? Any adaption ideas I came up with would have me worried of potentially sucking something other than air in the throttle body.

[stevej37]

The old one came with the HPS intake. No idea what brand but it was advertised as a 2.5 inch inlet.
So I ordered the same size inlet filter from Amazon for $18 with free shipping. (got what I paid for...lol) The filter material looks identical in both.
The K&N cones at Walmart were $40 and Autozone were $50

If tape will work for a few months or a year...it was worth it.

[john70t]

Scott has it.
A box cutter around the outside will bevel down the lip.

edit- Maybe a layer of blue tape would keep the gorilla tape sticking to itself instead of the TB if you go that route.
Compression should keep it in place.

[gordner]

If you can find some, I would suggest fusion tape (sometimes referred to as guideline tape). It is thicker, and will basically become one with the parent plastic over time.

[stevej37]

^^^ The tape will have to be wound on the metal intake.

[gordner]

Would still be a good choice for the job, sustains high heat too. And resists fluids well.

[stevej37]

How would one replace the filter if the tape and plastic bond together?
Or do you mean applying the tape to the inside of the filter inlet?
I'm confused.

[gordner]

It can always peel off, I just meant bond as in no slip factor. It only really "fuses" to itself, but after time in contact with a plastic piece, you have to want it to come off for it to come off. But if you do, its as easy as peeling it away.

It would be ideal for the build up, as it has some thickness to it.

[stevej37]

I'll be at Lowes tomorrow...I'll see what they have.

[john70t]

edited: okay sorry. tl/dr. Lowes selection past disappointments.

[A930Rocket]

CAI thread unravels into they are waste of money in 3….2…1😂

What about some type of self vulcanizing tape? Or wide electrical tape. I think Lowes or Home Depot carries that.

[stevej37]

Finally had a day that my back would allow me to work under the hood.
Had some rubberized splicing tape from Menards....only took three layers to build up the difference. Tightened it down and it's solid.

The main reason that I went with the CAI was because the OEM air intake was huge....making a group 151 battery the only one that would fit. It was about half the size of a normal car battery.
With the CAI and the oem intake gone, a group 51 (full size) battery fits in perfectly.

The Fit likes it...no cel's.

[Brando]

That's not a CAI, that's a cone filter. A CAI pulls cold air from outside the engine bay, and is inside an isolate/insulated box. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=cold+air+intake&t=brave&iax=images&ia=images

[stevej37]

^^^
I prob should have called it a sai (short air intake). I'm talking of the blue tube with the MAF in it. (it's made by HPS)
The cone filter is what I replaced.