Monday, January 15, 2007

AEM Short Ram Intake Installed and Throttle Body Cleaned


mileage = 75348mi

AEM Short Ram Intake part number 22-401B (92-00 Civic EX) $95 from AutoAnything.com. note: no replacement hoses came with the AEM SRI

It took me a couple of days for this simple job. The biggest problem was due to pulling the hose going from the stock intake to the Fuel Injector Air (FIA) Control Valve. Because I had to pull so hard on the hose, a plastic pipe broke off the FIA Control Valve.















Tools Used
10mm Wrenches
8mm Wrench (for Resonator removal)
Pliers
Flathead Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Scissors for Cutting New Hoses (if necessary)








Lessons Learned for Next Time:
  • Hoses are really hard for me to remove, so just cut them out and replace them. Excessive force to remove hoses can cause problems.
  • Always allow more time than you think you should need.
  • Have the right tools ready ahead of time.
The AEM instructions were pretty bad, so here are mine with photos.
Procedure for Installating an AEM Intake:
  1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal with a 10mm wrench. If disconnected for 30 minutes I believe the ECU is reset. I didn't drain a gallon of coolant like the instructions said, but if you're going to replace the water bypass hose, you probably should.
  2. Disconnect the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor Connector, Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Breather Hose and the FIA Control Valve Hose (hard to remove) from the stock air intake. Use pliers to slide the hose clamps off.
  3. Use a phillips screwdriver to loosen the hose clamp for the stock air intake.
  4. Remove the two 10mm bolts that hold the stock air cleaner box.
  5. Pull the stock air intake and the stock air cleaner box out. There is a grommet at the bottom of the air box that makes it a real pain. I ended up having to take the stock air intake out first. Then I struggled with pulling up on the air cleaner box to free it from the bolt holding it at the bottom. I used a lot of strength to get the air box out.
  6. Since the air intake has been removed get some throttle body or carb cleaner and clean the throttle body opening and the butterfly valve inside. There is a lever to open the valve. After spraying cleaner, take a rag and/or toothbrush to remove the gunk and build-up inside, but be gentle.
  7. Take the black silicone connector hose that came with the AEM SRI and attach it halfway on the throttle body opening. Tighten one of the hose clamps provided to secure the connector hose to the throttle body.
  8. At this point the AEM instructions says that the stock intake resonator box does not need to be removed, but I couldn't fit the intake tube and the air filter on top of the pipe. I had to take the bumper cover off (easier than I thought) and then pull the resonator out (harder than I thought). Pulling the resonator out from the fender well and through the splash guard is probably easier, but I didn't have a jack or jack stands. I've heard that you can just turn your wheels to do it, but I didn't try that method. Take the AEM intake pipe and put the two grommets into the two holes. Slide the air filter with the bigger hose clamp on to the end of the tube. Tighten the hose clamp to secure the filter to the tube. Screw the rubber mount post onto the fender wall using the inner-most screw hole that was used to hold down the stock air cleaner box. Check to see if everything will fit in your engine bay at this point. If necessary, remove the resonator.
  9. Place the second hose clamp around the connector hose at the throttle body, but don't tighten it yet. Take the AEM SRI with the filter attached with the bigger hose clamp and work it into the connector hose at the throttle body. Position the AEM SRI so that the bracket fits on the post and screw down the washer and nut. Connect the FIA Control Valve Hose on to the nipple of the intake and then connect the PCV breather metal pipe into the right-most grommet hole. Use a pair of pliers to remove the gray clip from the metal pipes holding the IAT sensor connector. I had to unplug the other gray connector (MAF?) to get the wires under the metal pipes. Plug the IAT sensor connector into the left-most grommet hole in the AEM SRI.
  10. Re-connect the battery and fill up the coolant or antifreeze, if necessary
  11. Start up the engine and make sure the check engine light doesn't come on. Drive around the block to make sure everything works normally.

1 comment:

CivicJake said...

hey.. i have a 2000 civic that i just installed the AEM short ram on.. i took the IAC(inlet air control) sensor off that was pulugged into the stock pipe.. the AEM instructions say to plug that 1/2 inch hole with a gromet if you have that sensor... so i did... no lights on.. perfect running.. but now that sensor is just dangling.. any comments??