DIY: Process West CAI Install MY11 STI
 

So I thought I'd post up what I've been doing this morning. Tried to put it in the DIY bit, but it wouldn't let me. If this is deemed worthy, maybe it can get moved there?

I picked up American Dave's unused Process West CAI a couple of weeks ago. I was unsure if I should swap it over without a tune, so I decided to remove the stock air box and measure the inlet pipe diameter to see if it was the same size as the PW one. It is exactly the same, so I decided to go ahead and install the new one. I'll get a tune later when the exhaust goes on :)

Stock intake removal - just a couple 10mm nuts and a couple push clips and it all comes out:
[IMG]http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q535/jamiewebster/WRX%20STI/Process%20West%20CAI%20Install/DSC_1632.jpg[/IMG]
Old one out - who needs all that junk?[IMG]http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q535/jamiewebster/WRX%20STI/Process%20West%20CAI%20Install/DSC_1650.jpg[/IMG]
New one ready to go in :) [IMG]http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q535/jamiewebster/WRX%20STI/Process%20West%20CAI%20Install/DSC_1649.jpg[/IMG]

Measured old and new - exactly the same except for the straightening vanes in the stock housing. But then it does have to turn the air through 90°, whereas the PW tube means the air will be flowing straight already.
[IMG]http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q535/jamiewebster/WRX%20STI/Process%20West%20CAI%20Install/DSC_1633.jpg[/IMG]
70mm, same as the stock one
[IMG]http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q535/jamiewebster/WRX%20STI/Process%20West%20CAI%20Install/DSC_1635.jpg[/IMG]

Then, to fit the block off plate, you have to remove the wire clips in the wheel arch area, as they will be going into the block off plate and you'll need to use one of those holes (the one on the right of shot) to fix the block off plate and the other one at the top near the yellow sticker[IMG]http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q535/jamiewebster/WRX%20STI/Process%20West%20CAI%20Install/DSC_1642.jpg[/IMG]

Here I thought I'd be able to fit it all from within the engine bay, but unfortunately you can't hold the back of the fixing bolts as they're below the block off plate. So off came the front bumper (gave me a good excuse to change out the Hella relay from the GB) [IMG]http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q535/jamiewebster/WRX%20STI/Process%20West%20CAI%20Install/DSC_1654.jpg[/IMG]

Then, just connect up the hoses and swap the MAF sensor over. Job done![IMG]http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q535/jamiewebster/WRX%20STI/Process%20West%20CAI%20Install/DSC_1652.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q535/jamiewebster/WRX%20STI/Process%20West%20CAI%20Install/DSC_1651.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q535/jamiewebster/WRX%20STI/Process%20West%20CAI%20Install/DSC_1653.jpg[/IMG]

Can't tell any difference in power, but the NOISE! Oh the NOISE, it's wonderful. Now I know I really do have a turbo :D

UPDATED: Having lived with this mod for a few days now, I have actually noticed a [B]DROP[/B] in acceleration at low/medium revs, with some hesitation around 3400rpm. Therefore, I will be returning back to the stock intake for now until I can get the exhaust & tune done. Getting quotes now for Race Torque ECUTEK and ASG Verso.

Nice writeup!

Thanks for sharing.

nice writeup thanks for purchasing

[QUOTE=American Dave;688506]nice writeup thanks for purchasing[/QUOTE]
Lol, the pleasure is all mine :), except for the money bit...

[QUOTE=JamieBlade;688514]Lol, the pleasure is all mine :), except for the money bit...[/QUOTE]

Says the guy with a fireblade and an STi..... :D

Told you there was nothing to it installing them!

[QUOTE=huggy_b;688515]Says the guy with a fireblade and an STi..... :D

Told you there was nothing to it installing them![/QUOTE]
Actually, I was being a tight arse, as AD's price was a lot less than buying a brand spanker from Process West :D And yeah, it was very easy except for the bumper bit, but I've done that before, so the whole lot only took about an hour and a half if you take out my trip to SuperCrap to get the relay for the horns :)

Inb4coldwaterintake.

how is the noise ?

[QUOTE=American Dave;688556]how is the noise ?[/QUOTE]
It's awesome. Not too loud to be annoying (can drown it out with the stereo) but sounds great when you give it some :) Very happy!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Might get or for my STi. Looks nice!