MACE Cold Air Intake

[Tsunamix]

Ok So I finally got my act together on Saturday and spent some time putting the CAI from Mace in.

Dead easy installation, as usual I didn't read the instructions. If Greg had included an Allen key, the kit could have been straight from IKEA.

Things I learned from the job - Install the steel Pipe into the Pod filter first it's easiest that way. It's worth dropping the MAf off and giving it a quick blow clean.

VT Commodores - we have it easy when it comes to making this box really perform. Between the radiator support Panel and the radiator itself is a plastic panel thats used as a spacer, and to locate the lower aircon gas return line. This panel covers a vent in the support panel that is about 4 inches long by an inch and a half wide. This vent if it's opened allows air to flow directly from in front of the radiator, to the head light surround area, where the CAI picks up from.

Drop off the hoses from the radiator and drain your coolant. Lift the clips in the top of the radiator support panel. Lift out the radiator. Pull out the plastic panel. Cut the top half off, leaving bottom hose guide. Reverse process and vent is now open.

If you have aircon (99% of us) the flow is obscured in part by the condensor.

Tips and tricks - I used a nikko pen and marked the outline of the box on the panels around it. Then took the box out and put a strip of foam cushion tape on the marks. A little better sealing and a vit of vibration damping. I also sealed up the slots in the bends of thebox with some gaffa tape.

The hole in the box for the 3" Diameter steel pod mount is a little oversize. I cut a piece of ice cream container lid out, cut a 3" dia hole in it (used mount pipe as a guide) slid it over the pipe, mounted everything up, then gaffa taped it in place to limit air flow loss. Theoretically speaking, this is not necessary, as there is more air going into the box than the engine can use, I'm just a freak for fiddling with things.

Sounds good, it's actually quieter than what I had before which was a bare pod in the bay. I can hear the exhaust burble over the intake hiss now with the window down. Cool.

Is there any effect yet on performance or economy ? Yes and No - Haven't run any times, and have been playing with chipsets so nothing specific. When I have something bankable I'll post it up. So do I have any non bankable feelings I want to post about it ? Yes. I think the torque curve is a little broader. I notice when I sink the slipper from low speed that the nose comes up - and stays up. Before the nose would come up then ease off a little when the torque converter locked up and stopped multplying torque. That sort of dead spot between about 1800 and 3500 RPM where not much happened seems a bit less apparent. Do NOT assume that this was all the doings of the CAI though, I'm playing with other bits and pieces as well.

All in all, this is a damn neat install, dead simple, without adding complexity over the serpentine belt system (which I don't like - I had to change a serpentine on the side of the road once.....). Theres plenty of flexibility in the Intake hose extensions, the Pod does it's job, and I'm convinced that theres a heap of air hitting the box when your moving.

Have fun.

Andrew

[SuperSixty6]

Pic's or it didn't happen!

[Tsunamix]

I was on a time limit so I didn't take any during. Will put up a couple of afters.

[Tsunamix]

Im at work, so don't ask me to take the lid off. maybe on the weekend

[MACE]

Once again thanks for taking the time out to writeup a very informative review

I like how you’ve gone about tweaking the product to your requirements to make an even better installation, which we certainly encourage with all of our products

On this note if you have a quick look at the fitting instructions you may consider doing things differently in this regard

http://www.maceengineering.com.au/CA...STALLATION.pdf

All in all another top effort

Cheers
Steve

[Raptorsc]

MACE cold air boxes are endorsed by me for use with ANY Raptor Supercharger sytem on a Commodore VS - VY

If you are a Raptor owner and reading this then be sure to tell Steve specifically that you have a R system and want a cold air system to suit, he knows the deal!

Customers who have them already report a HUGE improvement in low end engine response

[MACE]

MACE cold air boxes are endorsed by me for use with ANY Raptor Supercharger sytem on a Commodore VS - VY

If you are a Raptor owner and reading this then be sure to tell Steve specifically that you have a R system and want a cold air system to suit, he knows the deal!

Customers who have them already report a HUGE improvement in low end engine response

We've come up with a prototype box to suit the VT-VY Raptor R kits, of which we might manufacture if we get enough interest for people Otherwise you can modify our standard VT-VY box to fit. The earlier VN-VS boxes fit without any mods to the box

Cheers
Steve

[hail storm]

We've come up with a prototype box to suit the VT-VY Raptor R kits, of which we might manufacture if we get enough interest for people Otherwise you can modify our standard VT-VY box to fit. The earlier VN-VS boxes fit without any mods to the box

Cheers
Steve

Hi Steve.
What sort of $$$ are we looking at for a VY Raptor box?

[MACE]

Hi Steve.
What sort of $$$ are we looking at for a VY Raptor box?

If we get 10 people after the box we'll be able to make them and sell them for $250. Otherwise you have to modify our normal VT-VY box to suit.

Cheers
Steve

[LM8185]

We've come up with a prototype box to suit the VT-VY Raptor R kits, of which we might manufacture if we get enough interest for people Otherwise you can modify our standard VT-VY box to fit. The earlier VN-VS boxes fit without any mods to the box

Cheers
Steve

I have VS Ecotec with a Raptor R Blower installed and the MACE CAI too. You are right in the fact that the CAI did not NEED any modifying to fit it, but i did need to alter the intake pipe slightly to make it fit in conjunction with it.

I believe that other forum members also neeeded to make minor alterations to the piepwork, but these were very minimum and cost effective.

That said however, i did slightly altered my CAI so it would be neat and easy to alter the Raptor Intake pipework. The MAF meter is now situated flush against the CAI and runs into the box, with the Pod attaching directly to the MAF inside, making it neat, and much easier to make the alterations to the Raptor Intake Pipe to suit it.

[calebsnodgrass]

hey guys,

im not vey technical with the motors and how a CAI really works

if someone can easily tell me how it works and any performance improvements..

tks in advance

[MACE]

I have VS Ecotec with a Raptor R Blower installed and the MACE CAI too. You are right in the fact that the CAI did not NEED any modifying to fit it, but i did need to alter the intake pipe slightly to make it fit in conjunction with it.

I believe that other forum members also neeeded to make minor alterations to the piepwork, but these were very minimum and cost effective.

That said however, i did slightly altered my CAI so it would be neat and easy to alter the Raptor Intake pipework. The MAF meter is now situated flush against the CAI and runs into the box, with the Pod attaching directly to the MAF inside, making it neat, and much easier to make the alterations to the Raptor Intake Pipe to suit it.

Looks great though

hey guys,

im not vey technical with the motors and how a CAI really works

if someone can easily tell me how it works and any performance improvements..

tks in advance

As for how CAI's work, a detailed description can be found here.

Cold air intake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cheers
Steve

[calebsnodgrass]

thanks that link helped..

one more question, would it improve engine power and economy even though my car is a stock commodore vr '93 series 1

i dont have turbo etc

just wonderin

[HoldenOnn]

hey guys,

im not vey technical with the motors and how a CAI really works

if someone can easily tell me how it works and any performance improvements..

tks in advance

Welcome to the site. I encourage you to hit the 'search button' and type in key words to find out information about CAI and many other questions that you may have. Alot of new users to this site immediately post and don't realise that alot of simple and complex questions have had threads sometimes multiple threads already posted with all the answers to their questions.

Also, if you are very new to the car scene or you don't know the basics eg CAI, then I suggest going to a search engine like google and type in your required information. We all were very green on cars and not technical at one time in our lives, but instead of someone explaining the basics, there are many pages of info out there that will help you get started.

For the record, CAI stands for Cold Air Induction. This refers to the vehicle getting cooler air to feed the engine instead of sucking hot air from within the engine bay or from within the factory restrictive airbox. Cold air has the benefit of making the car more efficient and increasing power sometimes only marginally in different circumstances. The colder air is more dense than hot air and this is what an engine loves to breath. Depending on the vehicle, gains from doing this modification vary. There are definetely no negatives to giving the car cooler air to breath

Welcome again.

[MACE]

thanks that link helped..

one more question, would it improve engine power and economy even though my car is a stock commodore vr '93 series 1

i dont have turbo etc

just wonderin

Yes it will

Welcome to the site. I encourage you to hit the 'search button' and type in key words to find out information about CAI and many other questions that you may have. Alot of new users to this site immediately post and don't realise that alot of simple and complex questions have had threads sometimes multiple threads already posted with all the answers to their questions.

Also, if you are very new to the car scene or you don't know the basics eg CAI, then I suggest going to a search engine like google and type in your required information. We all were very green on cars and not technical at one time in our lives, but instead of someone explaining the basics, there are many pages of info out there that will help you get started.

For the record, CAI stands for Cold Air Induction. This refers to the vehicle getting cooler air to feed the engine instead of sucking hot air from within the engine bay or from within the factory restrictive airbox. Cold air has the benefit of making the car more efficient and increasing power sometimes only marginally in different circumstances. The colder air is more dense than hot air and this is what an engine loves to breath. Depending on the vehicle, gains from doing this modification vary. There are definetely no negatives to giving the car cooler air to breath

Welcome again.

Nice CAI writeup HoldenOnn As for research, there is a heap of info on here and on other sites but we're also happy to answer your questions

Cheers
Steve

[FirstVR_JC]

Installed my MACE CAI enclosed pod yesterday (VR V6) and i must say i am very happy with it!!

Installation is very easy and it really is a perfect fit.

Things i have noticed --- I believe this cai has eleviated some of the drone i get at 2500rpm.... the exhaust note sounds crisper with more of a burble at 2500rpm rather than a whooooop drone. Acceleration feels smoother.

Can't really say if there is a power increase but the car does seem to climb the revs smoother than before.

Induction sound is noticable but in no way is it overwhelming.

I am yet to install the 70mm T/B i bought as well.... will be doing that over the weekend, so will post up how all that goes and hopefully wont have any issues with idle ect.

Overall i think this set-up has made a nice change to how the car feels to drive and am very happy with the product.

EDIT- Just thought that i would add that after a couple of days of driving it is clear that the throttle response has improved dramatically --- i am yet to put on the T/B.... i am thinking the throttle response will be very touchy when i do.
The car feels to me that it has gained some power ..... it feels much lighter to drive with increased acceleration.

I defiantly think that it performs better than the s/c vs cai i had on previously ....

I dont know why so many people knock the pod filter .... with it enclosed i think the mod is really worth it. Anyway, i am enjoying driving my car again.

[Danoz]

One thing I would like to know is if the intakes are legal in NSW? I would hate to be taking it off every rego time and then putting it back on again when its all passed.

[MACE]

Installed my MACE CAI enclosed pod yesterday (VR V6) and i must say i am very happy with it!!

Installation is very easy and it really is a perfect fit.

Things i have noticed --- I believe this cai has eleviated some of the drone i get at 2500rpm.... the exhaust note sounds crisper with more of a burble at 2500rpm rather than a whooooop drone. Acceleration feels smoother.

Can't really say if there is a power increase but the car does seem to climb the revs smoother than before.

Induction sound is noticable but in no way is it overwhelming.

I am yet to install the 70mm T/B i bought as well.... will be doing that over the weekend, so will post up how all that goes and hopefully wont have any issues with idle ect.

Overall i think this set-up has made a nice change to how the car feels to drive and am very happy with the product.

EDIT- Just thought that i would add that after a couple of days of driving it is clear that the throttle response has improved dramatically --- i am yet to put on the T/B.... i am thinking the throttle response will be very touchy when i do.
The car feels to me that it has gained some power ..... it feels much lighter to drive with increased acceleration.

I defiantly think that it performs better than the s/c vs cai i had on previously ....

I dont know why so many people knock the pod filter .... with it enclosed i think the mod is really worth it. Anyway, i am enjoying driving my car again.

Glad to hear your happy with the item FirstVR_JC

One thing I would like to know is if the intakes are legal in NSW? I would hate to be taking it off every rego time and then putting it back on again when its all passed.

Given that the pods we use are an oil less item they should be considered legal, provided you have no other inlet mods. In saying this though to revert back to standard would take between 15-30min, which would be a good opportunity to clean the filter anyways

[henrytad]

im gonna get one of these for my vz executive, will i notice a change in induction sound? will it b nicer then having just a pod filter

[MACE]

im gonna get one of these for my vz executive, will i notice a change in induction sound? will it b nicer then having just a pod filter

You certainly will, more so if you have a larger exhaust system fitted It's much more effective then just a pod filter as it block of engine heat and channels cool air direct to the filter

Cheers
Steve

[henrytad]

installed the mace CAI kit on my commodore executive vz. after starting the car, the car struggles to stay on n keeps reving up n down n eventually turns off and displays the message "check power train". has this happened to anyone else? if so, how did you resolve it?

[immortality]

did you forget to plug anything back in?

[henrytad]

nah everythings fine just the way it should be. cars still struggling. apparently no one else is having this problem except me :S

[henrytad]

hey again guys, just tried disconnecting the battery, left it for two mins to reset the computer and it works fine. errors gone and the car isnt struggling anymore. cheers and thanks, and hope itll b a help to anyone else who gets the same problem

[acarmody]

Well thats random. Putting a CAI on the car shouldn't mess with the ECU.