Saab Link Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Completed my Viggen Cold Air Intake ...oh so nice!

Jump to Latest
3.3K views 16 replies 8 participants last post by  iwantaviggen  
#1 ·
Being frustrated with the fact that none of the Saab tuning companies would step up and design a "cold Air Intake"(CAI), I figured I'd just design one myself. For those that don't know what a CAI is, it is a cone filter type set up where the filter is routed down in to the fender/bumper area to grab cooler air.
Below you will see the CAI I developed and installed in my 2000 Viggen. Note the 2 aluminum cast elbow, these I had cast to my specs (designed on Pro-E) to allow proper fitment at a metal foundry. The remaining piping is mandrel bend stainless steel. All connectors are high temp silicon and all clamps are stainless steel T-bolt type. Filter of course is K&N. Piping is 3" thru-out for really nice flow.
For the first batch of elbows I had cast, I have gotten enough to make 10 CAIs. I'm working on sourcing the other parts at bulk discount to complete the 10 additional kits.
I will then be selling these kits. I'm also working on completing the detailed install instructions (w/ pics) to include with the kit.

What do you all think? Any intertest in the kits? I've only installed this on a 9-3 Viggen, so I'm not 100% sure it'll fit a normal 9-3 T7 (2000-2003)...not sure if the same space is these in the bumper area.

Pics below:

Image


Image


Image


Image


Image


Image


Image
 
K
#2 ·
Id buy it in a heart beat...that looks real nice. Great fabrication job. You're right, no one has developed such product as of yet. Like I said i'd buy that for my viggen given the right price. The only ting ive ever seen as far as problems go with CAI's is the risk of sucking water. Some kid I know has a jetta and his custom CAI was far too low for my comfort, I told him with 100% belief that he was going to suck water and screw his car up..."No, no, it'll be fine"...A couple days later..."...i ran through a puddle...."..."o ya? hows ur car???"..."it sucked water..."..."it wont start"... HAhAhAH all i did was laugh my ass off ..."I told you so" simply didnt cut it lol...Anyways, thats why my worries are pretty strong in that aspect as I have seen it first hand..Let me know! Nonetheless..real nice dude.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#3 ·
kwkslvr said:
Id buy it in a heart beat...that looks real nice. Great fabrication job. You're right, no one has developed such product as of yet. Like I said i'd buy that for my viggen given the right price. The only ting ive ever seen as far as problems go with CAI's is the risk of sucking water. Some kid I know has a jetta and his custom CAI was far too low for my comfort, I told him with 100% belief that he was going to suck water and screw his car up..."No, no, it'll be fine"...A couple days later..."...i ran through a puddle...."..."o ya? hows ur car???"..."it sucked water..."..."it wont start"... HAhAhAH all i did was laugh my ass off ..."I told you so" simply didnt cut it lol...Anyways, thats why my worries are pretty strong in that aspect as I have seen it first hand..Let me know! Nonetheless..real nice dude.
Click to expand...
That is what this is for, K&N DryCharger cover:
Image


Also, look a lot lower than it is....sits higher than my brother GTI 1.8T kit and my buddies SRT4 kit. I'm not worried one bit.
 
#11 ·
mg you will be fine with an optiflow or even stock box with panel filter.

less chance of water and the filter will be cleaner for longer.

hey when you get your optiflow you might consider putting some heat reflector insulator stuff on the heat shield....:idea:
 
#12 ·
benfica09 said:
the only thing I'd question are all the bends and how this effects the smoothness of the air. too many 90* bends is not ideal.
Click to expand...
Its all 3" diameter so its not that big of a deal....if you look at the stock system flowing thru the air box, tube to resinator,the resinator, piping after resinator, you'll see this has far less bends.
 
#13 ·
abdukted1456 said:
mg you will be fine with an optiflow or even stock box with panel filter.

less chance of water and the filter will be cleaner for longer.

hey when you get your optiflow you might consider putting some heat reflector insulator stuff on the heat shield....:idea:
Click to expand...
yah i think ill be fine, its just funny that this and the mp option are happening immediately after i bought it. i was planing on putting heat insulation tape on the outside, my friend w/ a 99 se did that with his genuine intake and it makes a huge difference in how hot the metal gets.
 
#14 ·
one reason I have gone back to a stock airbox with panel JR filter (for summer anyways) is that not only was the metal heat shield way too hot, but also the cone filter itself was so hot that I could not touch the metal top, but even worse It was too hot to touch the cotton/wire part... :shock: the stock airbox gets very very hot, too, but I can hold my hand on it, and it is drawing from a bit lower and out of the engine bay.

maybe I will try some heat reflector stuff and give the optiflow another go in a little bit... cause it looks great and sounds great.
 
Saab Link Forums
posts
953K
members
28K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to Saab owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
New Member Introductions Car Problems? New 9-3 Only