While there are several posts for installing a CAI, I failed to find a COMPREHENSIVE one for Nismo. So, as I did for my brakes and rotors, I figured I would do the work myself and hopefully live to write about it. Well, here I am, two days after the install and still alive. This post is a ‘How To’ for installing the Nismo R-Tune Cold Air Intake.

Getting Started

Recommended Tools:
1 - Car jack (the one that comes with the car works fine)
1 - Standard socket ratchet set with a 10mm metric and 5/16” standard socket
1 – Standard 5/16” open-end/boxed-end wrench
1 – Standard needle nose pliers
1 - Common (flathead) screwdriver
1 – Gigantic tub of patience

Preparation

1. Make sure the car has been sitting for at least three hours (or however long to ensure the engine is 100% temperature cool).
2. Make sure the car is on a flat surface.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Remove the left front tire.
5. Place a towel or fender protector on the left fender to protect the paint, as you will be leaning inside the engine bay from this area.

Removing the stock Air Intake (Old & Busted)

1. Loosen the hose clamp at the throttle body.
2. Remove the bolt securing the inlet pipe to the intake manifold.
3. With the needle nose pliers, GENTLY Loosen the lower hose clamp.
4. Lift the inlet pipe and release the breather hose. Remove the inlet pipe.
5. Release the MAF sensor wiring harness from the air box.
6. GENTLY unplug the MAF sensor.
7. Remove the bolt that secures the air box.
8. Remove the plastic rivet that secures the air horn. BE EXTRA CAREFUL TO NOT BREAK THE PLASTIC RIVETS.
9. Slide the air horn forward and remove the air box from the engine bay.
10. Remove the four bolts that secure the MAF sensor housing.
11. Remove the air conditioning bracket bolt that sits in between the two rubber plugs on the frame rail.
12. Release the wiring harness from the frame rail by GENTLY popping out the plastic rivets.
13. GENTLY remove the rivet that secures the wires to the bracket that secured the original air box.
14. On the side of the frame rail, GENTLY slide the blue connector up. DO NOT DISCONNECT.
15. GENTLY remove the rivets inside the left front fender liner.
16. Remove the four bolts underneath the left front fender liner.

Installing the Cold Air Intake system (New Hotness)

Recommended Tools:
1 - Car jack (the one that comes with the car works fine)
1 - Standard socket ratchet set with a 10mm metric and 5/16” standard socket
1 – Standard 5/16” open-end/boxed-end wrench
1 – Standard needle nose pliers
1 - Common (flathead) screwdriver
1 – gigantic cup of patience

NOTE: THE STEPS FOR THIS INSTALLATION BEGIN AFTER STEP 16 FOR REMOVING THE STOCK AIR INTAKE.

1. Install the rubber mount on the air conditioning bracket.
   1. Place the MAF senor wiring harness from step 5 on the rubber mount.
   2. Place the aluminum spacer supplied with your Nismo parts on the wiring harness and screw the rubber mount onto the frame rail.
2. Secure the blue connector removed in step 14 to the rubber mount with the wiring harness.
3. Connect the MAF sensor housing to the supplied adapter using the Nismo washers and bolts.
4. Install the upper inlet pipe (the one with ‘Nismo’ on it) to the throttle body.
   1. Connect the breather hose to the bottom of the inlet pipe.
   2. Place a hose adapter on the throttle body and slide the inlet pipe in the other end of the adapter. Use the size 52 clamp on the throttle body and use a size 48 clamp on the inlet pipe.
5. Using a hose adapter, secure the MAF sensor housing to the upper inlet pipe (MAF sensor pointing down) with two size 48 clamps.
6. Assemble the center pipe.
   1. Place the Air Bypass Valve (the foam cone) on the long end of the pipe.
   2. Use a size 48 clamp to secure one end of a hose adapter to the short end of the pipe.
7. Connect the center pipe hose adapter to the MAF sensor housing and face the Air Bypass Valve down into the left wheelbase area.
8. Connect the lower pipe to the Air Bypass Valve.
   1. Slide the bracket of the lower pipe onto the rubber mount and secure it with the supplied fender washer and nut. **This step takes A LOT of patience, so take your time**
   2. Secure the air filter to the other end of the lower pipe. Make sure that the filter is not pressed against anything or is obstructed.
9. Reinstall the left front fender liner with the rivets that you were so careful not to destroy when you removed them.
10. Reinstall the air horn and secure it with its rivet.
11. Tighten all clamps and make sure that all pipes are secure (DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN).
12. Say a prayer of thanks.

The Nismo CAI System is installed

In Conclusion

I hope the steps are explained clearly and are easy to follow. For all you that are visual, I have included some pictures of my installation.

Pic 1 - Nismo CAI Parts
Pic 2 - Left front fender liner removed
Pic 3 - New Inlet Pipe and MAF Sensor Housing installed
Pic 4 - New Inlet Pipe, MAF Sensor Housing, and Center Pipe installed
Pic 5 - Stock AI removed

 

Very Nice write-up! Thanks!!!

 

Thanks.

 

Well written, very helpful post. Thanks!!

 

Do you have any pictures of it installed in your car...

 

The third and fourth photos are pictures of the installation in my car. I didn't think to take any of the filter itself before I put the wheel well back together, so what you see on this page is all that I have.

I will be sure to show more when I do the dual intake installation on the 370 Nismo (drool).

 

I am purchasing a nismo cold air intake but I find 2 different model numbers for the intake rzn35 and rzn36 is this a issue because the rzn36 I found for a cheaper price from leemotor in Maine. Anyone know of a better place to purchase from??

 

I am purchasing a nismo cold air intake but I find 2 different model numbers for the intake rzn35 and rzn36 is this a issue because the rzn36 I found for a cheaper price from leemotor in Maine. Anyone know of a better place to purchase from??

 

http://www.thenismoshop.com/ikorb.ph...ategory_id=188

 

Nice write up! Been very helpful..

 

really nice thx for write up , helped.

 

I was having a problem with my CAI filter. Anybody knows where I could find the best deal for it? I want to replace it and I want a shop to buy from probably near LA. Thanks!

 

Check out ebay... They have a lot of really good deals, but make sure that you don't get duped into buying some of the really cheap stuff. I made that mistake early on, and got a CAI that didn't have installtion instructions, or even a heat shield! But other that that, ebay is a pretty good place to get a lot of your aftermarket upgrades!

 

Excelllent write-up!

Is it necessary to un-plug the battery before starting the job?

 

^^^ yes - especially if your unplugging sensors..

 

not bad... gave me a plan of action at least... good install plan!

 

I'm glad it helped.

 

So I have a NISMO CAI installed on my car, but one of the pieces is broken. Im not sure what the name of it is, but its the foam covered knuckle joint piece. I think some told me once it was a snorkle of sorts? Anyway it has splite in half and is being held together by zip ties. Does anyone know if its possible to buy just that part?

 

http://www.importpartspro.com/betepoalztu01.html

Is that what you are looking for?

 

It is a water bypass valve. Mine broke as well. I asked the dealer if they could order just that part. No luck! I was looking at one of these...

http://www.amazon.com/AEM-20-403S-Ai.../dp/B000CFQF5W

I may just pop the cone filter on the end of the tube where the MAF is located until i can find the correct part.