I installed a K&N 'FIPK' intake kit last night. If *I* can install it, anyone can. I was a bit nervous, but I took my time and it worked out. Took me about 2 hours to do it I'd say. I was only mildly confused by the instructions a couple of times, but I took a breath, read it again and kept trying to compare the pictures to my engine bay, and eventually I figured it out.

The BIG challenge was that I had to take off my TRD front strut tower brace in order to get the engine cover off. Getting the brace off wasn't too bad, but getting it back on was tricky, and (as others have said, and learning from others experience was great, thanks CL!) I had to jack up one side of the car a bit in order to get it back on.

I only took it for a quick drive last night (haven't been able to get out today as there's some work being done on the house by contractors), but I didn't notice any performance difference, however I love the sound at wide open throttle. On 'normal driving' though, the intake is not noisy at all (I'm glad about that).

I got the intake through www.kollerdodgeparts.com which is a Dodge dealer that can get any K&N part (click on the K&N logo if you want to see the intake).

Anyway, enough rambling, here's a pic of the install:

 

Koller's web site is no work of art and they may not keep parts prices accurate, but somehow I paid a lot less than the price quoted on their site. Some may wonder why I didn't get the SRT intake - 2 reasons: 1) I didn't want to cut ECU wires, and 2) this intake was less than half the cost of the SRT one. I like the way this intake is made and the nice heat shield. Here's a pic of the intake by itself.

 

Bit, the intake looks nice. I'm getting it too.

I'm about to remove my SRT and install the K&N FIPK. BTW, does it have the CARB sticker on it?

 

Thanks. It comes with a CARB sticker, yes. I haven't put it on since I'm in GA!

Why are you removing the SRT?

 

I got a ticket for it. The SRT is not CARB legal. Here's my thread.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=77900

 

Will you leave the SRT ecu on and just change the intake?

 

Bit, that looks good. I have been leaning towards the K&N FIPK for the reasons you stated and the CARB approval. And if you really want to tune it you can go with something like the S-AFCII. I'm going to try and get my car dynoed again to establish a better baseline before I make any more changes.

 

TLEX, Where are you located? I though you mentioned east bay -- I'm in Fremont.

 

Bit,
right now I don't even have the ECU. I removed the ECU awhile ago (that's a whole different story).



redgs4,
I'm from Livermore. Cops have nothing to do around here.

 

Wow, looks good Bit! Can't wait to see it!

 

Thanks! Note that my engine bay is fairly clean for a change! While putting in the intake I had a chance to clean around it.

 

That kit looks real nice and "clean". It could pass as factory if it weren't for that K&N sticker. What I like most about the design of the K&N system is the weatherstripping placed around the top of the filter "chamber" to help seal off hot engine bay air.

My SRT intake / ecu arrives today and I'm pretty sure it doesn't come with weatherstripping around the top of the filter chamber. I'll have to start combing the auto parts stores for that type of weatherstripping and add it to the SRT system.

 

nm

 

Well, it sure took them long enough! That is a nice kit. Oh well, I have had the Injen for a while (it looks like they are using my GS430 photo on their website) and it took me a while to install it as well.

I do wish it was seperated with the weather strip enhanced heat shield like the K&N.

But my Injen does have the kewl boy-racer chrome-red-dazzle-blast-Type-R-or-stick-it color scheme!

And boy does it get the ladies.

 

On the parts list it has a date of July 2001 so it looks like they've been making them for nearly 2 years! I know I've seen them available for over a year.

Is that because they hear you going down the road or they ask to look under your hood!?