dboy

yeah fair point about the you get what you pay for. I suppose im really after an opinon as to wether the filter it self is the key part in the CAI or does the pipe shape it self play a significant role? I mean the CAI is a very simple piece of equipment, its not like the exhaust system which has calculated lengths and other factors. although i am no expert so all im after is opinions. filters are easy to come by compared to mandrel bent alluminum pipes made for a specific model of car.

don't flame me about asking a question about cold air intakes. I did use the search but couldnt really find the answer i am after. I've noticed that i can get some no name brand CAI from eBay in the US for AUD$87.36 delivered and i have a few questions around these. Anyone ever used one? even if it is crap, if i got a K&N filter to put on it. wouldn't it would still work out cheaper then the 200-400 most people seem to be paying for them in Australia. Its designed for the Matrix XRS which i have read on this forum will fit a '04 sportivo. The kit includes the long aluminium pipe with attachements, bolts and steel mesh filter. from the picture in the add i can't see a mounting point/hole for the sensor but it may be on the other side. I must be missing something here because it sounds way too cheap. Opinions?

good idea superdave with the antenna, i'll give it a try tomorrow. as for the rear strut. is the piece of trim that i would have to remove holding anything else in place? or will the other trim be hanging loose if its missing?

Checked out the DIY TRD strut bar installation. looks good, but the the one im looking to buy is a SUMMIT rear strut bar. Anyone know is they are the same design? eg do the holes go in the same place? From what i was told from the parts place near my work was that that it goes through the hole where the light is in the side of the boot. This looks like its a couple of inches from where the TRD one goes. Cheers for the info on the antenna. Are the stubby ones pretty much the same as the original one reception wise?

i just purchased a front strut bar for my sportivo and when enquireing about the rear one I was told that it required cutting the trim around where it needs to be mounted. Is this alwasys the case? Can someone post a picture of theirs so i can see how much needs to be cut to get it installed. If it looks too obvious then I may consider buying another set of the trim panels and cutting them up. Anyone know a wrecker who deals in zze12 corollas in SE melbourne? I was also looking at getting a stubby antenna for the car. How are they installed? Does the antenna cable disconnect at the base of the antenna? or do you have to rip apart apart half the car to install one? the one i saw on ebay looked like it was just a threaded antenna that you screwed into the antenna base. Anyone shed some light on this for me?