i just installed the Alta CAI on my 05 MCS and i have to say im not impressed.

Before i start naming specifics i need to ask a question. I looked on the how-to's here and re-read the instructions and i cant confirm whether or not you are supposed to reconnect the stock air inlet tube from the fron the grille to the bottom portion of the stock airbox.

It only makes sense to me to seal of the bottom portion of the airbox so the heated engine air doesnt make it to the filter.

Could someone confirm this for me?

Thanx

 

Yes, connect the ram air pipe back to the bottom of the box. This pipe provides lots of yummy air when you are moving.

EDIT: (I should mention, I don't have an Alta, I have the Helix CAI and the ram air pipe is connected... but for common sense reasons I can't think why the Alta would be different.)

 

yes leave the stock inlet tube on as well as remove the back cowl sepparator. I'm not sure what you are looking for in a cai. An intake is really only an intake and it's not going to do much for you then maybe a touch better throttle responce and some sound. If it gives any real hp, it's for certain not much.

I think the cai does decently for what it costs. You can't spend $200 and expect the world when alot of people dump between 5-7k in their tritec's and only see 40-60hp over stock.

 

ok, ill reconnect it and let u guys know..


yea i pretty much know what to expect from a CAI on a forced-induction car. I actually only put it on for a more aggressive sound But i guess because the box is not sealed, i dont get the aggressive sound. It pretty much sounds stock so im going to put the hose back on a see if there is any difference.

 

Maybe it's because I got the 15% pully put on at the same time, but there is no doubt you should hear it! It is NOT subtle either.

Did you remove the heat shield behind the filter to allow air from the driver side cowel to get in?

 

i dont think so... if ur talking about the piece closest to the firewall then no. I cant see my firewall from this angle..

i though i needed that piece to mount the heat-shield to. Ill check again and take it out. I must be sufficating my car right now

 

Chris:
Is the photo supposed to show how you are mounting the CAI? You should leave the bottom section of the stock airbox in place, (to which the front air duct connects), and simply install the metal "box" of the Alta CAI to the stock lower box section. I note you have removed the rear piece that allows air from the cowl to enter the CAI--this is good.

 

I think that picture is from Webb's HowTo.

 

Here is a pic of mine. You can see the heat shield removed from behind the filter and the bottom of the airbox still in place. Is this what your setup currently looks
like?

 

yea that pic is from the how-to..

but no, i didnt remove the "cowell" in the rear. I'll do that when i reconnect the inlet hose.

thanx

 

Ahhh... remove that... THEN you'll hear it!

 

i dont understand how you could read the how to and not remove the rear cowl piece and not reconnect the air inlet, i used the same how to and did it on mine.

 

I didn't remove the heat shield when I put on my alta. That didn't matter sound wise as my car went from a sweet supercharger whine to a scream. Huge difference in noise.

 

I think you will notice an increase in performance when you remove it or cut a hole for fresh air.

 

A "RTFM" moment, agreed.

On the other hand, funny to hear someone say the alta sounds basically stock.

 

funny how that small little plastic piece muffles the blower. well i can def hear it now, sounds sweet. But not nearly as aggressive as some other people here were saying. I was expecting something obnoxious, but it sounds perfect.

thanks!

 

i didnt.... i just used the instructions and when i looked at the how-to i was only paying attention to the inlet hose

 

^^ I'm glad you enjoy it. for the record, not to be a jerk. But before you start posting threads with inflamatory to vendor titles, please make sure that the error is not your own fault. Exhaust all resources doing so.

enjoy the whine.
*e

 

+1

 

Yes, the result is that we now have a thread with a most unfortunate title, that only moderators can edit. There really is nothing wrong with the Alta CAI, and Chris is quite happy with his Alta...but he's stuck with a thread he started that sounds like a whine.

 

There's nothing inflammatory about the title. Its honest. It says "not impressed". It doesn't say things such as:

*Alta sucks
*Alta misled me
*Alta products are no good
*Don't buy Alta

If the title piques the curiousity of others they'll read the thread and understand.

 

I have far far less faith in the general media consumer... especially the a typical american media consumer. Trite to blame it on that I know. But alot of people skim, speed read etc. Top that off with generally poor reading comprehension and I see it as an potential harmfull (allbeit miniscule) title.

I could be way off base. But if the ba in journalism has done one thing for me... it's to play your words to the lowest level of comprehension.

 

??? guys... its the internet


besides, if people learn to read they can judge for themselves... for the record im still not all that impressed with it, especially for the money i spent. but thats just my $.02

thanx to u guys who helped me out...

 

A few different issues in this post. This is the internet... but that excuse doesn't hold water. The internet has become the driving force in nitch markets such as car aftermarket stuff. Far beyond magazines etc ever could. Previously it was your local car club, but now it's a nationwide sharing of information that has made nitch cars explode with a vibrant aftermarket scene.

So what is, "Just the internet." to you. Is the sole support of other aftermarket companies.

As for your complaint about the product. Your complaint is more of a general complaint about cai's which could have been pre-empted through research about what they can and can't do for your vehicle.

I'm glad you got it working and such.

 

heh... when you're around NAM long enough you'll see that we're all one big dysfunctional family. There tends to be a lot of familial "bickering", but it's all in good fun and rarely are hard feelings ever harbored.