Here is something I came up with after being inspired by the TBI lid flip mod thread. Loved the lid flip for the sound, but I knew it was sucking in nice hot air in the process. Aftermarket CAI systems are like 200-300 bucks, but you get the sound and cold air benefit. I figured I could figure something out with some off the shelf hardware store parts.
I present to you the 10 dollar CAI, now known as the "Charlotte Pipe" (common brand name of PVC pipe available to consumers).
Constructed out of some 3 inch PVC and 3 inch pvc couplings on each end, this set up replaces the stock baffle box for the sound, but also lets the motor suck in fresh air from the factory fender hole.
Now the stock preheater element may still be present on your truck, and this allows hot air into the intake for cold weather warmup and emissions testing. This was easily bypassed by placing the spring on the opposite side of the valve to permanently keep the butterfly valve open to fresh air. The preheater hose is then removed. This allows the system to be easily reassembled for colder weather if need be, and for passing emission tests.
The end of the pipe that goes back into the fender has some peel and stick insulation foam on the end to help the pipe better seal up the little bit of space remaining between the fender hole and the pipe.
The pipe attaches to the stock rubber boot by perfectly fitting snug right inside the 3" pvc pipe. I thought about a smaller pvc pipe with the rubber clamped over, but it looked restrictive. I just used some duct tape over this joint to make sure it would not come lose.
So there you go, a 10 dollar CAI you can put together really easily, and seems to do the same job as any aftermarket intake.
What do you all think about the "Charlotte Pipe"?
I present to you the 10 dollar CAI, now known as the "Charlotte Pipe" (common brand name of PVC pipe available to consumers).
You must be registered for see images attach
Constructed out of some 3 inch PVC and 3 inch pvc couplings on each end, this set up replaces the stock baffle box for the sound, but also lets the motor suck in fresh air from the factory fender hole.
You must be registered for see images attach
Now the stock preheater element may still be present on your truck, and this allows hot air into the intake for cold weather warmup and emissions testing. This was easily bypassed by placing the spring on the opposite side of the valve to permanently keep the butterfly valve open to fresh air. The preheater hose is then removed. This allows the system to be easily reassembled for colder weather if need be, and for passing emission tests.
You must be registered for see images attach
The end of the pipe that goes back into the fender has some peel and stick insulation foam on the end to help the pipe better seal up the little bit of space remaining between the fender hole and the pipe.
You must be registered for see images attach
The pipe attaches to the stock rubber boot by perfectly fitting snug right inside the 3" pvc pipe. I thought about a smaller pvc pipe with the rubber clamped over, but it looked restrictive. I just used some duct tape over this joint to make sure it would not come lose.
So there you go, a 10 dollar CAI you can put together really easily, and seems to do the same job as any aftermarket intake.
What do you all think about the "Charlotte Pipe"?