Installing CAI issues.

[2015Etrac]

I installed my Steeda CAI today. All went fairly smooth but after the install my car would putter and not start. I realized I forgot to disconnect the battery so I did that, then re-tightened all the hoses. I finally got it started and it seems to be running fine but when it first finally started a bunch of blue smoke came out the exhaust for about a minute then cleared up. Should I be concerned? Or could that be a result of the failed starts beforehand? Nothing I did today should results in blue smoke from the exhaust. The car was sitting for about 3-4 days before I started it today after the install. Also the air/fuel ratio is about 13.8-14.2 at idle which seems ok. Is there anything else I should look out for? Would I hear leaks with the hood open if there was any? I'm limited in my mechanical experience but it seems like there's not much serious damage you can create from a CAI install. I did panic some when the car wouldn't started on my 3 month old $44k car which I can barely afford as is.

A few things that annoyed me or I overlooked.

1. I forgot to install the rubber gasket before I put the air box in, so now I'm having a hard time getting the section under the fender on.
2. I installed the filter and tube (per instructions) before installing the box into the car, however I should have adjusted the screw to the clamp so I could reach it after the install, now it will be a pain to take the filter off in the future.
3. They give you the plugs to remove the sound tube, but I could not reach the bolt to take it off, so I gave up on that.

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[DrDing.Muscle]

The smoke is probably from cranking the car and it not starting if you have not seen blue smoke before. That AFR is right on as Fords tune is set up to 14.1:1. As far as the sound tube you can just pull and twist the sound tube and it will come off the firewall. There is a stud and nut that hold the plastic and If you twist and pull it will just break the little plastic tab and it will come right out.

 

[2015Etrac]

The smoke is probably from cranking the car and it not starting if you have not seen blue smoke before. That AFR is right on as Fords tune is set up to 14.1:1. As far as the sound tube you can just pull and twist the sound tube and it will come off the firewall. There is a stud and nut that hold the plastic and If you twist and pull it will just break the little plastic tab and it will come right out.

Thanks. Other than de-cluttering the engine bay does removing the sound tube make the interior any quieter?

 

[robertwsimpson]

I ran with the tube disconnected from the intake for about a month before I took it the rest of the way out and plugged the firewall. The difference, if any, is negligible.

 

[BmacIL]

Thanks. Other than de-cluttering the engine bay does removing the sound tube make the interior any quieter?

Yes. It's not a huge difference but it is noticeable, and much appreciated with an aftermarket exhaust installed.

 

[2015Etrac]

Yeah, I figured. As much as I love my X-pipe and Roush exhaust, it would be nice to quiet the cabin down some when I have my windows up. If anything removing it will clean up the engine bay and make it look much better.

 

[Terminator2]

Yes. It's not a huge difference but it is noticeable, and much appreciated with an aftermarket exhaust installed.

My 13 was definitely more noticeable sound reduction wise when I removed the sound tube vs my 16 but it definitely made it sound more refined. I did it the day I brought the car home and it was so quiet on the stock exhaust it was like a luxury car inside sound wise lol.

 

[2015Etrac]

Did you guys with the 15+ models just rip them out of did you try to unbolt them?

 

[BurnCycle]

3. They give you the plugs to remove the sound tube, but I could not reach the bolt to take it off, so I gave up on that.

The nut is holding the sound tube on by a rubber grommet. With a slight tug the tube can be pulled over the nut holding it in place. Once you realize that it can be pulled out in seconds and you'll be left wondering why you even tried to take the nut off in the first place.

 

[BmacIL]

Yeah, I figured. As much as I love my X-pipe and Roush exhaust, it would be nice to quiet the cabin down some when I have my windows up. If anything removing it will clean up the engine bay and make it look much better.

Yeah, go and do it. I had a friend install a Corsa Sport CB last week and he loved it but it was just a touch too loud inside with the windows up for him. I told him to remove it, and he told me that was just enough to cut the hard edge off the volume. It also cleans up the sound.

 

[Bluemustang]

Would capping off the sound tube piece of the inlet tube improve vacuum pressure or MAF lb/min at all?

 

[Terminator2]

Would capping off the sound tube piece of the inlet tube improve vacuum pressure or MAF lb/min at all?

I doubt it would provide any measurable performance benefit just less interior sound.

 

[BmacIL]

Would capping off the sound tube piece of the inlet tube improve vacuum pressure or MAF lb/min at all?

The only performance benefit is improved tip-in throttle response (most noticeable when doing throttle blip downshifts).

 

[robertwsimpson]

Are you talking about the port on the inlet elbow? You HAVE to cap that if you remove the sound tube.

 

[2015Etrac]

Would removing the sound tube be a bad idea for a 3 month old car under warranty? I don't want to risk losing any warranty repairs because they somehow claim the sound tube caused it? Would you guys keep it to be safe, or will having warranty repairs potentially denied because of the sound tube delete be a non-issue?

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