Originally Posted by
MattMPS3
I fitted my Nviscid inlet pipe last week, install was roughly 1 - 1.25 hours, a bit of that time was the battle getting my recirc line back onto my BOV due to the other plumbing in the way.
Once the battery & box were removed the install is very simple, it was actually more of a battle getting the old inlet out, than sliding the new one in. There are small clips with wires etc all over the stock piece that need to be unclipped before removing it, I was also very cautious removing the vac hose from the wastegate solenoid, the nipple on the solenoid is only made of plastic, and some over exuberant hose pulling could break this off.
Knowing of the short solenoid vac hose issue, I purchased a metre of 3/16" (~5mm) ID hose from Repco for all of about $3, and used about 6" of it.
I recommend that a pair of 90º needle nose (or circlip) pliers be invested in before starting this project it makes removing the small hose clamps and cable clips a breeze.
After removing the stock inlet (and half the wiring loom, damn cable clips), it becomes immediately apparent how restrictive this thing is, its even more restrictive than it looks in the photos, it resembles something my 3 year old can make with play doh, with bumps and kinks all over it.
I pre assembled the cp-e inlet in the garage, i.e placed the hose clamps, CAI coupler, vac & recirc hose on the inlet before refiting to the car, gave all the relevant areas a quick spray with some silicone spray to aid installation.
A note for anyone doing one of these, the steel joining sections between the silicon inlet & coupler is very thin, DO NOT overtorque the hose clamps or you will crush this piece, many have already in the U.S.
As I held the piece, looking into the engine bay I was expecting to utter a plethora of colourful language for about the next 30 mins, but the new inlet just slid into position, a bit of jiggling to align the hoses etc, torque up the clamp on the turbo, affix the bolt to hold it in place and it was in.
It was then just a case of refitting the solenoid vac line, again a quick dab of silicon spray helped here. Re-fitting the rercirc hose to the BOV, in my case this was an issue due to the other plumbing in the way & re attach the CAI to the new inlet.
Next step is putting the car back together, so the battery box, battery & ecu are reconnected, a few cables are clipped back into place and then hold your breath and turn the key...it worked.
I initially drove the car pretty easily to allow the fuel trims time to settle down due to the battery & ecu removal, the inlet has reduced the general noise of the turbo slightly it has a less shrill note about it now, the bov is a bit quieter as well, but overall it is a bit louder at WOT. Its difficult to explain, times that I have expected it to be louder, it has quietened down, and vice versa.
The performance is noticeable, not mind blowing but there are gains none the less. I felt a much quicker spool up and a lot more breath up top, however I wouldnt buy one of these unless you have proabably 3 of the 4 following mods in place to support the greater flow - Downpipe, I/C (those with aftermarket TMICs will probably notice even larger boost spikes after fitting this), intake, or tune.
I would describe it as more of the last piece of a puzzle mod, than a crucial initial step.
Matt.