Check your CAI filter lately?

[Louis J.]

I bought my car seven months ago with a Carbonio. I never asked the PO when he installed it or if/when he ever serviced it. I checked the filter shortly after I bought the car with 32k mi and it didn't seem very dirty. The car now has 37k.

I've never been happy with the Carbonio fitment and decided to add some padding to prevent it from rattling and moving around. While I was in there, I used the K&N kit to clean the filter as well. When I took it apart, I noticed the OEM intake tube (connected directly to the girlle), which has a top and a bottom that clip together, was cracked open on one side, allowing for air to escape. I also noticed that the wire frame that molds the mouth of the the snorkel (between the intake tube and the CAI) had also collapsed, leaving a decent gap for air to escape. None of this was noticeable until I started taking it apart.

Again, the filter didn't seem that dirty but after I applied the cleaner and ran it under water, I couldn't believe how filthy it actually was. The water came out black. After cleaning it, I put everything back together nice and tight, fixing the gaps on the intake tube and snorkel and added fire-resistant insulation between the CAI and the tub. I then took the car for a spin, mainly to check if the padding had fixed the rattling I thought I was hearing from the Carbonio moving around. I was blown away at how much better the car felt afterward...

- Stronger and much smoother pull
- Better throttle response
- Louder DV sound

Moral of the story...check your CAI's filter and while you're at it, check your piping fitment. My car had slight hesitation at WOT which I thought was the APR file but otherwise felt fine. Now it's just so much better. Well worth checking it out.

[AWDTURBO]

NICE ! .. The carbonio is a bit expensive for my taste but good to hear .. haven't here anything good about them yet.

[EMAXX]

How did you end up fixing the crack in the piping then?

I just don't like the fact that the intake and most of the piping is all plastic. They need to make some metal piping so that the pipe doesn't collapse or crack.

[AWDTURBO]

Idk Carbonio is like 300-400 bucks right ?

[Sharkfin]

nice little writeup, I've also discovered the same thing when I cleaned out my stock filter

[EMAXX]

Idk Carbonio is like 300-400 bucks right ?

They are like $380.

[Louis J.]

EMAXX: It wasn't broken, just unclipped leaving a 1/2" open gap. I just snapped it back together. The intake could be improved upon...I just don't know if it's worth while. I'd rather get a bigger IC.

The main takeaway for those who have CAIs is to check your filter if you've got a few miles on it and even if it seems clean, clean it anyway because it's pretty deceiving.

Carbonios are ~$400 and I wouldn't pay more than half of that for it. Mine came with the car but if you want one, buy it used or get a K&N.

[AWDTURBO]

EMAXX: It wasn't broken, just unclipped leaving a 1/2" open gap. I just snapped it back together. The intake could be improved upon...I just don't know if it's worth while. I'd rather get a bigger IC.

The main takeaway for those who have CAIs is to check your filter if you've got a few miles on it and even if it seems clean, clean it anyway because it's pretty deceiving.

Carbonios are ~$400 and I wouldn't pay more than half of that for it. Mine came with the car but if you want one, buy it used or get a K&N.

everyone i talk to personally says just get a K&n is that what you mean ? ..

Would the stock heat shield work ?

[Louis J.]

everyone i talk to personally says just get a K&n is that what you mean ? ..

Would the stock heat shield work ?

Yes: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ht=heat+shield

[AWDTURBO]

Yes: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ht=heat+shield

i meant to say K&N filter only *

[AWDTURBO]

will a b6 fit a b7 ..carbonio intake .. just wondering

[redlabel81]

My lord AWDTURBO you have so so many posts....You joined like a couple days ago. You must be online constantly.....:)
I think the B6 Carbonio is only for the 1.8T and the 3.0l.....B7 is just the 2.0T. Will not fit.

[AWDTURBO]

My lord AWDTURBO you have so so many posts....You joined like a couple days ago. You must be online constantly.....:)
I think the B6 Carbonio is only for the 1.8T and the 3.0l.....B7 is just the 2.0T. Will not fit.

I'm sorry :( .. im not welcome lmao ..

Thanks .. was trying to see if i could buy the intake from the classifieds i guess not..

[Louis J.]

i meant to say K&N filter only *

You don't need a heatshield to install a K&N filter but it would be advisable. The turbo and cat generate lots of heat are they are located directly adjacent to the intake.

[AWDTURBO]

Ye i have been seeing lots of self fab heat shield i might just try it .. might start a thread .. im going to home depot some day this week to see if they have aluminum .. or where else should i go to purchase it ?

[4RingRook]

I cleaned my CAI when i put in the ITG panel filter about a week ago. The airbox and little dirt screen had all kinds of crap in it. A lot more than I expected to see.

This was about 600 miles after my 25k service btw.

[redlabel81]

I'm sorry :( .. im not welcome lmao ..

Thanks .. was trying to see if i could buy the intake from the classifieds i guess not..

Oh you are more then welcome. :) i was just amazed to see when you joined and all ready having 3 rings.

[AWDTURBO]

im trying to read and ask all that i can so when spring comes the car will be something worth to have a couple of pages on AZ of discussion :)

[redlabel81]

Good good :)

[RedS-line]

home depot was no help here, neither was lowe's. i just (flipped) recycled the oem heat shield for now. i guess i oughta check my cone before it gets cold out.