Hey everyone- This weekend I attempted to install my hot shot cai again.

The first time I tried the car wouldn't hold an idle after installing it. I didn't actually route it into the fender well. I put the first part of the intake on and attached the filter to see if it would run.

I tried again this weekend and got the same results. It took me half as long as the first time and I was especially careful to check for air leaks. The only thing that I think it could be was the maf adapter. It doesn't match up exactly with the hole for the maf.

I had the vacuum hose all on there correctly and everything else was good to go.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I may have gone wrong? I hate to pay the mechanic to do such any easy install, but at this point I just want the thing on already.

post pics of the install. It would help us in diagnosing the problem ;)

i dont see how there could possibly be a problem, as long as the intake isnt broken somewhere.. and all the camps an stuff are tight and positioned properly... are you putting the maf in backwards by chance? what are you installing this on?

It is going on a 91 se-r. I am baffled as well. I am going to try one more time and will post a picture.

It will have to be this weekend so people will have time to respond and my car won't be down for long.

The annoying part is when I unbolt the new cai and put the stock parts back on, the car runs fine.

"The annoying part is when I unbolt the new cai and put the stock parts back on, the car runs fine."

That kinda prooves your engine is fine.

Does it idle when it is warmed up? It looks like u just need to adjust the idle screw a bit and see what happens.

For a quick and dirty idle screw adjustment: Turn it left a couple of times to make sure it idles way high cold.

Warm the engine, driving is best.

Turn down the idle screw a couple of times, somewhere the idle should go down quite a bit.

Go easy on adjusting now, turn the screw clockwise, somewhere the engine will stop going lower in rpm. Thats the point the screw needs to be. Dont twist it more, because the ECU might take over. So there is no point lowering it all the way down, because then when u cold start the engine it will die for sure when u press clutch.

Be precise here, don't get somebod look at the rpm, just run around the car 4 or 5 times.

My experience with this is after re-adjusting idle, the car still might die 1 or 2 times at cold start but that should go away.

If not, you need to turn the screw counter clockwise a bit. Then ask yourself why it needs the higher idle.

If all this fails and u cant get the 800 rpm the FSM says so, just set it to 1000 rpm and forget about it.

U also could look in to servicing the AAC, AICV. Maybe a TPS readjustment helps here or reground your MAF. While you are at it, also look in to regrounding/replacing your O2.

If all this fails you have came to the point where I am ;)

My car idles fine, a bit high when cold, does come down to 850 rpm but stays a bit high too long when I release the throttle.

I'm considering cleaning the intake manifold.

I know I'm advising the risky road and not providing 100% solutions, but this is how you need to look in to your idle problem.

More input from other list members is appreciated.

get a new maf adapter from autozone they have one that fits perfect with little to no vac leak ive used it on all my b13 cars