I have a Place Racing CAI, which was originally chrome plated on the outside. I have sand blasted the crome off because it was peeling and starting to rust alittle. Now I have a bare cai and was planning on powder coating it. My question is this, I have noticed that it is rusting where my fingers have touched it, so when having it powder coated is it adviseable to have both the inside and the outside coated, or just the outside? I am worried about the possibility of rust forming on the inside due to condensation. Has anyone ever repainted or recoated their cai? also there is a temp sensor hole, my car does not have this sensor what is the best way to plug this? TIA

Rob

Just a few days ago I sanded all the old, rusted coating off my PR CAI and polished it the same way i did my valve cover. I started w/ 60 grit for a while, by hand, then went up to 240, 400, 600...when it was real shiny i took some MAG chrome/aluminum polished, applied it, and started buffing away with a buffer. It looks pretty good now. I should have pics this afternoon...

and BTW, I think a CAI is just as effective on an NX as it is on any other SR20DE-powered car :D

Silver SX I now agree with you too!

My real concern is rust on the inside. I used to think that the CAI's were stainless steal but they are not. I was thinking mybe just spraying the inside with high temp paint. Anyone have experience with this.

I have heard of "homemade" steel intakes rusting and cusing engine problems.
If its rusting I would either paint it or just buy another one. Thats kinda scary.

I've painted 2 intakes with normal spray paint. The intakes don't get that hot to need high temp paint. As for the hole, just get it welded up.

So I should just paint the inside of the intake as well as the outside? I called a few places and got quoted like $80 for powder coating, that is more than I can spend right now since I have to buy a new filter and new turbo hose to make the connections. Has anyone ever used a different (cheaper type of rubber tubbing to make the TB to intake ect.. connections?

Paint the inside, it won't hurt anything. Just make sure to let it dry good. Home Depot or Lowes are the coupliers you need. They are garbage disposal coupliers.


POST 2000 :D

Originally posted by NISMOrob
Has anyone ever used a different (cheaper type of rubber tubbing to make the TB to intake ect.. connections?

Home Depot has good rubber connections by the PVC dept.
I believe its $5 for a 3'' coupling