going to attempt to install Cpe-Mafci tomorrow

Hey Tabitha,

No jacking is required...the front bumper has to be taken out in order to install the air filter. Good luck with the wiring...its sucks!

The front bumper does not need to be taken off, although it would make the installation a little easier. Just turn your wheels all the way to the right before you start working on it, and you'll have enough room to mess around in the filter area.

As far as advice, just take your time, and go through the entire installation before actually starting it. Be sure all the hoses and sensors are hooked up properly before starting your car, and the VAM solenoid hoses are plugged with something like a screw. It's strongly recommended that you solder your wire connections from your MAF Customizer box into the ECU, because there is a possibility of the Scotchloks coming a little loose and you could throw a CEL. And just remember, if you get lost for any reason, you can call CP-E up directly and they can help.

I didn't take off my front bumper and I still did it(Edit: Turn your wheels to the right all the way like he says!) . One thing that you need to remember is if you have the power seats move the seat all the way back because you will be playing with the wires under the dash and its a huge pain if your seat is moved forward still.

The instructions are pretty detailed though. Just don't get discouraged if the car doesn't start up perfectly the first time!

TAKE YOUR TIME, also make sure that you take your time. Dont forget to plug the ECU back into its socket,(yes I didnt do that ....and it sucked) and when you do make sure it is properly seated into the socket.

There's no need to unplug the ECU. I found it easier to remove the 3 bolts holding the ECU in place and lower it into the footwell than unplugging it, because those connections are held on with some sort of clip that's quite difficult to get off.

Yeah it took me a while working at the clip too but finally got it. Unlike the others I did jack the car though and removed the tire to give a little extra work space; I knew there was a reason why I never became a contortionist for a living.

I feel so stupid for not taking off my tire! It would have made it a hell of a lot easier I think!

And for the love of god unhook your battery first.

And for the love of god unhook your battery first.
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Well, that's clearly stated in the instructions.

I didnt jack the car up or remove the tire or the bumper. You can pull all the stuff out under the fender without much trouble, though thats only like 10% of the install anyway. It WAS a bit tedious to try and tighten the filter onto the pipe though as it kept spinning around so it was a bit awkward and im pretty sure its still not on that tight .

I tightened the clamp that holds the air filter on pretty damn tight, but I'm still able to pull the thing off the pipe, so I hope it doesn't fall off.

Try scuffing the inside rubber with rough sandpaper.
With my intake pipe chrome plated, it's really slippery, but the filter stays in place great now that I roughed it up a bit.
I can't pull it off now, without loosening the clamp.

---Aloha

Tabitha, considering you are in ME, you'll have plenty of cold winter months. That said, you might want to use a thicker material and one that won't hardend up in the cold than the provided rubber tube that goes around the inside hole of the heat shield.

When the rubber tube gets cold, it hardens up. Once that happens, the intake pipe, which normally rubs against it, will start making this rubbing noise everytime you shift. It gets annoying. Get a thick foam like material to replace the rubber tube.

Tabitha, considering you are in ME, you'll have plenty of cold winter months. That said, you might want to use a thicker material and one that won't hardend up in the cold than the provided rubber tube that goes around the inside hole of the heat shield.

When the rubber tube gets cold, it hardens up. Once that happens, the intake pipe, which normally rubs against it, will start making this rubbing noise everytime you shift. It gets annoying. Get a thick foam like material to replace the rubber tube.
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+1 great suggestion, this drove me crazy at first