I cut and weld all my own mods. Once you start welding you just can't stop modding. It's an Iowa thing. LOL ok I'm lying.

From the photos, I would say if you really wanted to, you could probably jimmy either one of those in on a Neon 2.0... where it all ends up though after twisting it around might not justify it being a CAI anymore though... more like a HAI lol.

I personally wouldn't buy something just to end up hacking it though... if I am spending money, I would go for the right CAI the first time around as our knowledgeable noob Tommy has nicely pointed out for us.

 

I had rather not deal with welding or cutting anything. Will the cheap filter that comes with it last me a couple of months until I can buy a K&N cone filter? Also, what oil do you guys suggest to use? I am about to take it for an oil change, but I am going to buy a Mopar oil filter and some 5w-30 synthetic oil. Just not sure what brand. Maybe Pennzoil? I know that is what the Dodge dealer uses.

Daniel

 

I wouldn't recommend using the cheap air filter any longer than you have to... but you could probably get away with it for a while, just don't get used to the idea of it being there as a permanent solution. The cheap-os will not filter as well, and are contructed very poorly as well... they can fall apart easy over time, mesh screens rust away, etc etc... so get ya a K&N, they are under $50.

For 5w-30 full synthetics, Pennzoil Platinum or Quaker State "Q" horsepower is a great choice for the price. Mobil1 is also an excellent brand. There are a few more that are more expensive, such as Royal Purple, Redline, and AMSOil.

Any of these oils would be good choices for your car.

 

I ordered it yesterday. I decided to go with this one mainly because of the price and the seller feedback. Most of the feedback for most of the sellers were like 90% but they have 98%. I do plan on replacing the filter with a K&N cone filter in a couple of weeks (next paycheck). I also decided to go with Pennzoil Platinum Synthetic 5W-30 oil. I have yet to buy my oil filter but it will definately be a K&N or Mopar. Any other suggestions on oil filter will be greatly appreciated. Also, I went with the design of cold air intake that it goes into the fender. There was another one that just barely stuck out of the throttle area. Did I make a good choice? I know the K&N intake went into the wheel well, so that is why I decided on that design. Is there any difference in performance in that model and the one that just barely sticks out?

the one I went with:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-...mZ250281221321

Does this one make better performance since it is right there in the front and air doesn't travel as far?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-...mZ370075838427

Thanks,
Daniel

 

Oil filters:

Go with a Mobil1 filter, or a K&N, or lastly a Wix or a Mopar. Don't use Fram, they're not the greatest things in the world.

Air traveling distance in the CAI doesn't have much of an effect. You really don't want it too short, but a decent-length pipe is good. The idea that the longer air has to travel through the smooth tube, the easier it enters the throttle body without turbulence... which is why a K&N FIPK kit would slightly ouperform the K&N short-ram... not to mention the extra plenum added in the pipe between the filter and throttle body.

 

Now for my next question. How do I keep rain water out of my intake? Will rain while I am driving have any effect or just puddles?

Daniel

 

You shouldnt have to worry about that much... as long as you dont mount it in a really messed up spot, like 2" off the ground or something.

As long as you don't literally drive through standing water, or submerge the filter in a huge puddle or pool of water or something, you will be fine.

 

Sorry to be asking so many questions. I was reading on Wikipedia that there may be a problem with a CAI in the wintertime when the filter can freeze over. Is that a true problem? I live in Tennessee, it doesn't always freeze here in the winter, but sometimes mother nature surprises us (like the blizzard of 1993). Is there any problem there?

Daniel

 

Well, I wouldn't worry about that either. I have always lived in the north... Michigan, Iowa, and New York. And only 1 time, ever, did I have a problem with that... I was driving in an all-out blizzard here a year and a half ago... the snowpack was starting to vapor-lock my filter. But the entire engine bay was also packed full of snow, and was also making my belts start to slip tremendously. I ended up getting stuck after that in a huge drift, with 60 mph winds and blowing snow.

Needless to say, that's all I got for bad experiences with that. Point being, if that happens to you with your air filter... believe me, the air filter will be the least of your worries lol.

 

Winter has not been a problem, I run a CAI year round and we get some nasty snow and ice here from time to time. Like Iowa said, stay away from puddles and other standing water and you should be fine.