Custom Air Intake using an OEM Paper Filter

[AssBurns]

Let me start first with I’m not doing this to gain any sort of performance in any way. I needed to make room for an engine cage and uptravel with bigger tires. I could have gone with a K&N or similar cold air intake, but I really don’t like oiled air filters. They are too much work to clean, they do not perform as well as paper filters, and the oil from an oiled filter can get onto the MAF sensor and cause performance issues. So my needs were; to ditch the stock air box and intake silencer to make more room under the hood, and use an OEM style paper filter that can be found cheaply and easily at auto parts stores.

So what did I do?
I went online and found a filter that is cylindrical and can be clamped onto the stock MAF tube with a clamped silicone hose (turbo-hose).
The Intake Silencer Mod was done with a 2.5” exhaust tubing that was expanded to be about 2.75” OD. I also ordered a weld on steel barbed nipple to weld onto the exhaust tubing for the vacuum hose to connect to. This isn’t done yet, I just ordered the part this morning. (The ISR mod wasn’t my idea, I just used someone else’s idea)

Parts Numbers:
Air Filter | Wix #46177
This is an OEM replacement for a 1989-1991 Honda Prelude with the 2.1 DOHC motor. Parts Stores may or may not have them in stock but all the ones in town were able to get them within an hour besides Oreillys.

Turbo Hose | Gates #4177-1900
This is what I found at the parts store. It’s about 1/4” too loose on the MAF side to slip on snug but with the clamps it tightens up just fine.

Weld On 1/4” Barbed Nipple | Vibrant Performance #231-11280
Ordered from Jegs.

 

[weekendclimber]

I eliminated the need for the barb on the replacement pipe for the intake silencer with a "T" fitting. This is on a 99, so it may be different depending on what year your rig is. You can see it here on the driver's side of the timing cover:

 

[AssBurns]

I eliminated the need for the barb on the replacement pipe for the intake silencer with a "T" fitting. This is on a 99, so it may be different depending on what year your rig is. You can see it here on the driver's side of the timing cover:

At the moment I just have the vacuum line capped off at the nipple on the intake manifold. Seems to run fine, but I'll be adding the hose anyway. I think it's there for air flow stabilization (at least that's what I remember hearing at some point) Helps stabilize the air through the bends in the intake tubing. Not sure how accurate it is but if that's the reason, I'll be adding the hose like it was stock.