Hey guys, I spent some time searching around and couldn't find anything...

What would you estimate the total install time would be for the Needswings DCAI, oil catch can and 74mm throttle body? All going on a N/A...

I ask because I don't have the space, time or tools to do it all myself so I will most likely bring it to a shop... *gasp* I know, a travesty for not DIY-ing...

I've looked through the instructions and it does not seem incredibly Crossfire/Mercedes specific so I'm guessing I'd be okay bringing it to a "normal" mechanic?

Any other materials I'd need besides the parts and o-ring for the TB? Maybe some extra fluid in case they spill too much?

Thanks in advance

 

Well recently I installed my DCAI and it took me about 4 to 5 hours. I was taking my time while i did it. I did not want to rush. I also had trouble disconnecting some rubber line as it was very stuck. If I was to do it again it would be considerably shorter time period. As this job is being done the throttle upgrade would be ideal to do the job as the parts are there when you remove the MAF and elbow. So these two Mods could be 5 hours together. I am going to be doing the throttle body upgrade soon as i get my delivery. As far as the oil catch can, I have not done this so I cant really say. Hopefully all goes well. Good luck with all and lets have an update if possible. Thanks

Also you should get some Pentisin brake fluid as there will be some loss doing the DCAI. I got some at my locally parts store.

 

Thanks, that's a good baseline though I wonder how much faster a shop would be.. or not faster at all? hmm

 

So the throttle body arrived yesterday and was, in fact, just the throttle body...it did not come with the elbow or anything attached to it?

Is the elbow from the 74mm larger than the OEM one? Or is the actual throttle body itself the only thing that is larger?

 

From reading multiple threads on the 74mm upgrade.. The ID is the only difference. "Toying" with the idea of one myself, but not going with tune and everything else most do. Let me know if just the throttle body itself is a noticeable difference. I had read a thread where this alone doesn't make much of a difference .

Edit: Never mind.. just read your "splurge".. LOL .. Now break out the dremel and get serious about getting everything you can from it.. butterfly shaft grinding and edges..

 

the TB and dual CAI are going on at the same time so I guess we won't know... I did get a bluetooth OBD scanner and phone app so I can time some 0-60 runs before and after though...

I just need to make sure the OEM elbow is the same as the 74mm one... but I also wanted to debaffle it before bringing all the parts to shop but looks like that might not be an option since the OEM one is obviously still on the car..

and when you say "get serious", I'm not sure I trust myself with grinding the TB itself lol plus I don't have a dremel

 

Notice the shaft on that picture vrs yours?

And here's my source of "it will all work together"..

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ttle-body.html

 

The throttle body inside diameter is larger than the OEM throttle body. You can install your upgraded one just like you have it.

 

I was not aware that the original elbow is used in the CAI install, I am pretty sure it is not ( IF this is a NeedsWings CAI )

http://www.needswings.com/productimages/xfnacaigray.jpg

looks pretty complete to me ........

One thing I changed was to replace the screw type 3" clamps that Rob sends with some wider, better t-bolt 3" clamps.
I also replaced the filter from the kit with a larger cone type K&N filter.

( BTW, thanks again for that RCM you sent me, allowed me to do the "Me So Horny" mod without fear of screwing up before I sent the spare to TJ )

 

My thoughts on the elbow also.. seems I had read that somewhere along the line.

 

the single needswings took me less than an hour to install by myself in the driveway. just ordered my throttle body so im not sure how long it should take but on my svt focus it only took 10 minutes. you could probably buy all of the tools needed for the install and still save some money vs what a shop would charge.

 

So the needswings dual cai gets rid of the entire elbow? Hmm must've missed that while reading through the directions

 

Who needs instructions when you have pictures...

 

Yeah, the DCAI from Needswings replaces the OEM MAF housing.

 

As pointed out in previous posts, the only difficult part about the CAI installation is removing the plastic pieces from beside the radiator.
The rest just basically requires a screw driver and a 10mm wrench for the power steering tubing hold-downs.

The oil catch can is quite easy to install, a screwdriver and a knife or some tubing cutters.

Take a road trip and drive down here, I'll do it all for free :-)

 

yes sir, those radiator mounts are a beatch... my patience ran out, and out they came. The next kind of hard thing was the power steering line change, but not that bad... Rob did my first dual, and I paid close attn...lol I did mine in less than two hours...catch can and all...but, I cut the radiator supports out, didn't even try to save them...

 

One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned before :
Once the DCAI is installed and the 2 plastic pieces by the radiator are removed, it is then a piece of cake to service the headlights !!!
You can access the lower inboard bolts easily, and if you are careful, you can access the outer lower bolts by removing the side markers.
No more removing that stupid plastic door in the fender wells .........

 

This is a simple bolt on mod and will require no other modifications for proper functioning. Typical gains on a bone stock car are 5-8 HP, gains for an intake/tune car are closer to 15 HP.

Statement by TVT back when.. so I now know where just a TB upgrade will get me to. Probably wouldn't hurt anything with a Turbo mod, so doing this becomes a feasible thought. Since turbo completion apparently isn't around the corner, thoughts on pulling the stock (K&N) filters, adding tubes for cold air and cone filters? Not a high dollar investment, which in light of turbo works fine for me, but thoughts of it being "better than stock" setup? Any "swag" on increased airflow? 5%.. 10%

 

Thanks guys for the responses, I guess from all the "debaffle" posts out there I assumed that the elbow stayed with the CAI since I just assume most people who would debaffle something would already have an intake... Also glad to hear that it is a pretty quick and easy install, I'll see if I can find some time this week to attempt it... I want everything installed before a car show on Saturday so if time does not allow, its going to the shop on Friday while I take my girl out for a date (given that she does not approve of my auto-obsessions, I get to bribe her by spoiling her while I spoil my Crossfire)...

alaxfire, glad to hear the RCM worked out.. which cone filters did you replace the normal ones with? I wanted to get the upgraded filters from Needswings but couldn't justify the extra cost at the time since I was already buying the DCAI and catch can...

And Mrmiata, I tried asking a while back what the turbo build would do with the intake, but given that it isn't going to happen for another couple years (too negative?), I figured I'd just take the plunge on the DCAI and change it out down the road if needed.. besides, it seems that all Needswings products are pretty resistant to depreciation when it comes time to take it off and sell it...

 

oh and that O ring has been a ***** to find locally..