CAI for 1MZFE

[Igor]

Hi everyone,

Yesterday, I put a pod filter on my 1997 MCV20 CSI 1MZ-FE Camry with a PVC pipe (I also made a bracket to accommodate the air sensor) without removing the resonator. I've noticed a significant change in the way the car drives... for the worse I think. Both pedals feel (both accelerator and brake) a bit more stiff. Also, when the engine is cold, straight after ignition on a cold morning, the car will rev the same as it did with the factory intake system, but most of the power is not being transferred to the wheels. It basically feels laggy, the gearbox works a little differently, and it doesn't seem like it's the best thing for the car.

A friend of mine told me that I might need to get the air sensor replaced with a different one that is more suited to higher flowing air filters and that I might also need to get it dynoed and the ECU retuned. However, I'm not sure if this will help.

Has anyone else had any similar problems or can anyone suggest a solution? Any help would be greatly appreciated =)

Thanks,

Igor

[ASG14]

Either you broke something, or it;s all in your head. Pick one.

And the brakes have NOTHING in ANY way to do with the intake.

Up untill recently, I was running an OEM air filter on a 100% stock ECU with a TRD Supercharger. Neither the filter or ECU has to do with it unless the ECU shorted out somehow.

Edited May 25, 2009 by ASG14

[STYLSH]

I'm running a short ram intake with a pod filter and everything the same as before. The intake will not actually flow that much more air because the most air it can suck through is 0psi of pressure. Even with the charger installed, there is no need to look at replacing the sensor even though its pulling in a LOT more air.

If everything was fitted right then I dont see how anything could have changed except for noise. Gearbox and brakes are not effected by the intake.

Edited May 25, 2009 by STYLSH

[lateralus]

keep in mind that cai's are renown for lacking power and torque in the lower rev range as compared to the stock intake. contrarily, they revel in the higher rev range and give out more power, but slightly less torque (depending on the set up).

if the lag ss only slight, then its most likely related to what i just said. if the loss is significant, then try resetting the ecu. unless of course you've damaged one of the sensors, making it give incorrect readings.

[Igor]

Thanks for the help guys. I noticed today that when I started the engine in the afternoon (after the car was in the sun all day) that the car ran fine.

Also, I was particularly careful when I was installing it, so I'm pretty sure I didn't damage anything.

I might leave the pod filter on for a while longer and see if anything changes, but otherwise I'll revert back to the factory set up.

Igor

[Igor]

keep in mind that cai's are renown for lacking power and torque in the lower rev range as compared to the stock intake. contrarily, they revel in the higher rev range and give out more power, but slightly less torque (depending on the set up).

if the lag ss only slight, then its most likely related to what i just said. if the loss is significant, then try resetting the ecu. unless of course you've damaged one of the sensors, making it give incorrect readings.

I just took the Camry for a drive around the neighbourhood specifically to see how it behaves and I think you're right about the torque only kicking in later (around 3500rpm). I'm not sure that I want to keep the pod on now... This is probably a dumb question, but is there any way of combating this problem other than putting the stock air filter back on?

Igor

[lateralus]

keep in mind that cai's are renown for lacking power and torque in the lower rev range as compared to the stock intake. contrarily, they revel in the higher rev range and give out more power, but slightly less torque (depending on the set up).

if the lag ss only slight, then its most likely related to what i just said. if the loss is significant, then try resetting the ecu. unless of course you've damaged one of the sensors, making it give incorrect readings.

I just took the Camry for a drive around the neighbourhood specifically to see how it behaves and I think you're right about the torque only kicking in later (around 3500rpm). I'm not sure that I want to keep the pod on now... This is probably a dumb question, but is there any way of combating this problem other than putting the stock air filter back on?

Igor

sri's have slightly less lag and not as great a loss of low-en torque compared to cai's , but unless you get a box to separate the filter from the engine bay, you'll suck in a lot of hot air if you don't have adequate ventilation. this is where sports grille's come in handy

[DJKOR]

I'd just say your butt-dyno is playing up on you. That's odd, cause usually it's the other way around, but usually any losses or gains from these changes shouldn't be significant enough to be able to really fell much of a difference.

And the brakes have NOTHING in ANY way to do with the intake.

Just to be a smart-a**, don't the brakes technically have some part to do with the intake? Such as the vacuum booster. If may be connected past the throttle body, but that's still considered part of the intake. In the given scenario, it wouldn't really matter, just something I was thinking about.

[ASG14]

The brake booster connects to the Intake plenum, no where near the intake itself. If the loose of vacuum was bad enough to effect the brakes, the car wouldn't even be running.

[Igor]

keep in mind that cai's are renown for lacking power and torque in the lower rev range as compared to the stock intake. contrarily, they revel in the higher rev range and give out more power, but slightly less torque (depending on the set up).

if the lag ss only slight, then its most likely related to what i just said. if the loss is significant, then try resetting the ecu. unless of course you've damaged one of the sensors, making it give incorrect readings.

I just took the Camry for a drive around the neighbourhood specifically to see how it behaves and I think you're right about the torque only kicking in later (around 3500rpm). I'm not sure that I want to keep the pod on now... This is probably a dumb question, but is there any way of combating this problem other than putting the stock air filter back on?

Igor

sri's have slightly less lag and not as great a loss of low-en torque compared to cai's , but unless you get a box to separate the filter from the engine bay, you'll suck in a lot of hot air if you don't have adequate ventilation. this is where sports grille's come in handy

Okay that makes sense. I'll look into somehow maybe channelling in more cold air from the front grille. Thanks for your help mate.

[Igor]

The brake booster connects to the Intake plenum, no where near the intake itself. If the loose of vacuum was bad enough to effect the brakes, the car wouldn't even be running.

Yeah I understand. The change was very minor. Either way, I've put the factory filter back on for now as my dad wants to do some tests with the car.

[mikeypoopi3]

Personally, i would just stick with the standard setup and put in a K&N panel filter. And mod the intake system after the airbox as some have done on the forums.

As in remove the piping and resonator after the air box and run piping so there is less restrictions.

I have a 2005 V6 sportivo.

I ran an SRI, beautiful intake noise, better response... but heat soaks like crazy.. in hot days and after 20-30 mins of driving...

I currently run an enclosed CAI and as mentioned there is a little lack in low end torque, but better top end after 3.5K or so

depending on what balance you want... that is all I can say hahaha

good luck

Too much money spent on something that won't be as effective...

Just the noise is better...