CAI vs Short Ram
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 184
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From: Texas
CAI vs Short Ram
Has anyone found an actual Cold Air Intake/Induction CAI or is only the Short Ram intake available? I've seen a few threads for using the Short Ram intake marketed for the Camery V6 but I'm more interested in a CAI because I think getting more air that's cooler is more beneficial. Although I should note my strongest desire with this mod is to open up the throttle sound a little.
I found this by carbonio but not sure it will fit. I used a Carbonio on my 2009 VW Rabbit (work beater) with satisfaction.
http://www.motorintakes.com/product/...s/Default.aspx
Any thoughts, tips or advice are greatly appreciated
Thanks...
I found this by carbonio but not sure it will fit. I used a Carbonio on my 2009 VW Rabbit (work beater) with satisfaction.
http://www.motorintakes.com/product/...s/Default.aspx
Any thoughts, tips or advice are greatly appreciated
Thanks...
Driver
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: NY
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: Texas
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Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: Texas
$238 worth of smiles
I just completed the installation and as requested I made a b4 and after video. I don't have a very good camera/mic but I think the difference is noticeable. At the very least I can tell you I think it was money well spent. The Weapon R System really opened up the throttle sound under heavy acceleration (say >3,500 RPMs) and the tires actually chirped when the traction control kicked in (not really picked up on the video) which was cool because I could always tell when the traction control would kick in but never felt like there was a reason for it to - now there is.
The only other performance mod I have is light weight wheels and tires, combined weight of one of the wheel and tire is around 45lbs or roughly 10.5lbs lighter then stock.
I took a few of my own photos for installation but the instructions that come with the system were good enough IMO. Simply put you need to remove the existing system then install the new system in it's place. Total time for me to do the install was about one hour but it should be noted that I can't pull my car in the garage so there was alot of back and forth - perhaps someone with space in their garage could do the install in under an hour.
Sorry but I couldn't figure out this forum's video requirements so I posted it on youtube under an account named mrlexus1977. I'll post a link but not sure it's allowed or will get edited out.
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GlcVvKTrGk
In the video, I took the ES350 out on the highway where the speed limit is 65 MPH and merely went one exit down and turned around. I also included a few of my photos from the install process. Hope the video helps anyone out there with anxiety over the decision to purchase or not. As for me, I feel it's worth every penny and gave me all my money's worth in smiles within the first ten minutes.
The only other performance mod I have is light weight wheels and tires, combined weight of one of the wheel and tire is around 45lbs or roughly 10.5lbs lighter then stock.
I took a few of my own photos for installation but the instructions that come with the system were good enough IMO. Simply put you need to remove the existing system then install the new system in it's place. Total time for me to do the install was about one hour but it should be noted that I can't pull my car in the garage so there was alot of back and forth - perhaps someone with space in their garage could do the install in under an hour.
Sorry but I couldn't figure out this forum's video requirements so I posted it on youtube under an account named mrlexus1977. I'll post a link but not sure it's allowed or will get edited out.
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GlcVvKTrGk
In the video, I took the ES350 out on the highway where the speed limit is 65 MPH and merely went one exit down and turned around. I also included a few of my photos from the install process. Hope the video helps anyone out there with anxiety over the decision to purchase or not. As for me, I feel it's worth every penny and gave me all my money's worth in smiles within the first ten minutes.
Driver
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: NY
I just completed the installation and as requested I made a b4 and after video. I don't have a very good camera/mic but I think the difference is noticeable. At the very least I can tell you I think it was money well spent. The Weapon R System really opened up the throttle sound under heavy acceleration (say >3,500 RPMs) and the tires actually chirped when the traction control kicked in (not really picked up on the video) which was cool because I could always tell when the traction control would kick in but never felt like there was a reason for it to - now there is.
The only other performance mod I have is light weight wheels and tires, combined weight of one of the wheel and tire is around 45lbs or roughly 10.5lbs lighter then stock.
I took a few of my own photos for installation but the instructions that come with the system were good enough IMO. Simply put you need to remove the existing system then install the new system in it's place. Total time for me to do the install was about one hour but it should be noted that I can't pull my car in the garage so there was alot of back and forth - perhaps someone with space in their garage could do the install in under an hour.
Sorry but I couldn't figure out this forum's video requirements so I posted it on youtube under an account named mrlexus1977. I'll post a link but not sure it's allowed or will get edited out.
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GlcVvKTrGk
In the video, I took the ES350 out on the highway where the speed limit is 65 MPH and merely went one exit down and turned around. I also included a few of my photos from the install process. Hope the video helps anyone out there with anxiety over the decision to purchase or not. As for me, I feel it's worth every penny and gave me all my money's worth in smiles within the first ten minutes.
The only other performance mod I have is light weight wheels and tires, combined weight of one of the wheel and tire is around 45lbs or roughly 10.5lbs lighter then stock.
I took a few of my own photos for installation but the instructions that come with the system were good enough IMO. Simply put you need to remove the existing system then install the new system in it's place. Total time for me to do the install was about one hour but it should be noted that I can't pull my car in the garage so there was alot of back and forth - perhaps someone with space in their garage could do the install in under an hour.
Sorry but I couldn't figure out this forum's video requirements so I posted it on youtube under an account named mrlexus1977. I'll post a link but not sure it's allowed or will get edited out.
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GlcVvKTrGk
In the video, I took the ES350 out on the highway where the speed limit is 65 MPH and merely went one exit down and turned around. I also included a few of my photos from the install process. Hope the video helps anyone out there with anxiety over the decision to purchase or not. As for me, I feel it's worth every penny and gave me all my money's worth in smiles within the first ten minutes.
. You can hear the difference. Suggest you pair it up with a nice sounding magnaflow exhaust to complete the sound. And get some HIDS. Do you know anything about installing HID fogs?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: Texas
I'd say I'm mechanically inclined but not an engineer... I've done only one other CAI install in my entire life.
It's probably a good idea to have a friend there just incase you forget something but like I said in the write up the instructions that came with the kit were adequate.
As far as tools, a philips and a slotted screw driver are necessary. For the kit I purchased it came with two screws for the air flow sensor and these screws had a fine thread so you can't use the old screws. The problem is the screws have a star head with a center pin, I had a kit I purchased from autozone with all kinds of heads and was lucky to have one on hand (See photo). The only other tricky part is removing all the plastic molding, the plastic snaps from Lexus are a PIA but I had a small pic tool that helped me (See photo). No cutting was necessary and I didn't have to damage any parts during the install.
Good luck
It's probably a good idea to have a friend there just incase you forget something but like I said in the write up the instructions that came with the kit were adequate.
As far as tools, a philips and a slotted screw driver are necessary. For the kit I purchased it came with two screws for the air flow sensor and these screws had a fine thread so you can't use the old screws. The problem is the screws have a star head with a center pin, I had a kit I purchased from autozone with all kinds of heads and was lucky to have one on hand (See photo). The only other tricky part is removing all the plastic molding, the plastic snaps from Lexus are a PIA but I had a small pic tool that helped me (See photo). No cutting was necessary and I didn't have to damage any parts during the install.
Good luck
Driver
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: NY
I'd say I'm mechanically inclined but not an engineer... I've done only one other CAI install in my entire life.
It's probably a good idea to have a friend there just incase you forget something but like I said in the write up the instructions that came with the kit were adequate.
As far as tools, a philips and a slotted screw driver are necessary. For the kit I purchased it came with two screws for the air flow sensor and these screws had a fine thread so you can't use the old screws. The problem is the screws have a star head with a center pin, I had a kit I purchased from autozone with all kinds of heads and was lucky to have one on hand (See photo). The only other tricky part is removing all the plastic molding, the plastic snaps from Lexus are a PIA but I had a small pic tool that helped me (See photo). No cutting was necessary and I didn't have to damage any parts during the install.
Good luck
It's probably a good idea to have a friend there just incase you forget something but like I said in the write up the instructions that came with the kit were adequate.
As far as tools, a philips and a slotted screw driver are necessary. For the kit I purchased it came with two screws for the air flow sensor and these screws had a fine thread so you can't use the old screws. The problem is the screws have a star head with a center pin, I had a kit I purchased from autozone with all kinds of heads and was lucky to have one on hand (See photo). The only other tricky part is removing all the plastic molding, the plastic snaps from Lexus are a PIA but I had a small pic tool that helped me (See photo). No cutting was necessary and I didn't have to damage any parts during the install.
Good luck
. Can you make another short video of the intake sound windows up and windows down? Do you have warranty on car I wonder what they will say and any other modifications you have made to your ES?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: Texas
@tardorange, Sorry, I did do two more videos with the windows down but the wind buffeting on the cheap mic I have made it impossible to hear anything. I'm not sure about the warranty, don't really care much as I do all my own work. I wouldn't trust the stealership with so much as rotating my tires (seriously, in the past they screwed that up on two cars, and also an oil change- overfilled). Good luck
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Va
Great Job.. You did well for only your 2nd time... You have me a bit curious about doing a little work on mine.. Great Post!!! ..
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2007 Es350 AquaMarine Pearl
2002 Chevy Impala White..
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2007 Es350 AquaMarine Pearl
2002 Chevy Impala White..
