Air Intake

[o3mpv]

I opened the hood to see where the air intake on the 03 goes. After leaving the air filter it turns at about 90? and runs along the left side, makes about another 90? just past the headlight and curves up. I haven't really looked before however today the opening to the intake is about 2" away from the sheet metal wall. Also, its approx. 4" too short from being in the grill section to get a direct source of outside air.

I'm wondering if I simply remove the end piece on the existing setup and attaching a 4" to 5" straight length of PVC. Then put the end piece back on. This would put the opening of the CAI in the grill section where it can get direct air from outside.
What's everyone's opinion(s)?

[dmogx]

wouldn't that mean that the cone of the cai is exposed directly to the outside air that gets through the grill?  thats good, but when it rains, your cai will suck up all that water and mess up your engine.

[o3mpv]

Just looked more closely this afternoon...no can do, the rad is in the way. I thought there was a gap. The only way is down and that means a more heavily modified intake. Not ready to go there atm. Good point about the moisture getting in the engine!

[rancid]

you'll need to suck in deep water to do damage to your engine.  Having the CAI exposed to the air directly even with some rain drops won't harm it.  You have quite a bit of surface area on the intake filter before it really gets saturated and starts floating up.  Even then you would have to be WOT continuously for a period of time.