Mugen CAI installed pics and instructions
 

There's been a lot of instrest shown for the Mugen CAI and the dreaded bonnet cut so I thought I'd shed some light. I'll let the pics do the talking...if you want the instructions (english) click on www.amuseboy.fpic.co.uk

Enjoy :LOL:

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2940638&outx=600&oq=0
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2940642&outx=600&oq=0
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2940646&outx=600&oq=0
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2940644&outx=600&oq=0
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2940645&outx=600&oq=0
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2940641&outx=600&oq=0

Couldn't resist putting this one in:LOL:
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=2940640&outx=600&oq=0

that looks cool as..........

questions:

whats the performance / noise like??

where did you buy it / get it done / cost etc ---Im really keen to get this done :D

Performance - marked improvement throughout the rev range. Improved throttle response. No bunny hopping so far.

Bought it direct from Japan (my good friend;))

Installed it myself and made the bonnet cut myself too.

Cost:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Amuse Boy
Couldn't resist putting this one in:LOL:
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...1bd993846f.png

:LOL:

I noticed that too.

Well spotted! :LOL:

:LOL: :thumbup:

Nice job AB :cool:

Awesome!@
Do you have pictures of the bonnet close?

How come the Amuse Car in hyper rev doesnt have the bonnet cut?

Oh my god you cut your car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love that exhaust, now to sell a kidney!

800 sheets

I changed my mind now

is there a proven power increase with that intake?

which edition and page??


Good Job AB, though when are you going to paint the inside of the bonnet as shiny as the rest of the car?

The whole thing

Blurter - Cheers :thumbup:

Kobe - Thanks :) I was going to paint the exposed area but haven't got round to it just yet.

Gazzer - unfortunately my source is my good friend in Japan...won't go down too well if I order large stuff like this for other peoiple - hope you understand. :)

The Amuse car uses the Amuse carbon fibre bonnet/hood which does need cutting also IIRC.

I have the standard bonnet/hood - but if you still want to see a pic, check out my website.

Yes, the Japanese Hyper Rev team dyno'd the Mugen but with several other mods (manifold, ECU, exhaust). Not very scientific, but when you minus the gains from the other mods, the Mugen CAI makes around 5-6 bhp peak but also makes good power and torque gains in the low and mid range.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gazzer
The whole thing

I think it can be underestimated how big these mugen pieces are..the pictures don't really give a size impression, seeing one in person is something else.

I happened to snap a picture of the J's carbon fibre CAI system..very popular in Japan as the price is very competitive. The pic perhaps gives some idea of the size of these things..the mugen is similar. This piece was just about to go into J's race car.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...d94e469aa2.jpg

One point J's mentioned was that airbox and exhaust on the stock car are balanced OK and deliver good result..250hp ain't bad.... the major benefit for airbox change and or exhaust is when you combine the effect of the 2 since it is synergistic result.

AB were did u get the rubber thing that uve put around the cut? been trying to find some of this but havent found anything good yet.
Cheers

I found some in my old Honda Civic S (twin carb) - my first car!:cool:

You can probably buy some from here:

Rubber sleeving

:what: AB CUT your car?

You wont go out in the rain but you'll cut up your baby like that?

;)

Nice job though :)

Cheers AE :thumbup: It's not as bad as it sounds....really. :LOL:

AB - that engine bay is CLEAN! This may be the fastest colour, but it's the longest to clean.

It looks really mean, with that intake, but that's over

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Nick Graves
AB - that engine bay is CLEAN! This may be the fastest colour, but it's the longest to clean.

It looks really mean, with that intake, but that's over

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Amuse Boy

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Man's Best

AB: Have you listened to/tested the Mugen CAI in isolation, or did you install it after your Amuse exhaust had already been installed? Probably difficult to gauge its effectiveness on a 100% stock car if you did?....

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Durzel
AB: Have you listened to/tested the Mugen CAI in isolation, or did you install it after your Amuse exhaust had already been installed?

I like the sucking sound one gets with the Spoon-type intake. Subtle, but impressive.

AB, It sounds as if you have successfully improved it slightly across the whole range, which can be tricky to achieve.

I presume your next move should be to optimise the engine mappings. I should be interested to read what your car produces on a rolling road!

Well I've bitten the bullet and ordered the Mugen CAI from my friend in Japan. In the end it was a toss up between a PRM (better than stock, but still sucks in hot air), Injen (don't fancy cutting the floorpan) or Mugen. I admit a certain amount of "bling" factor swayed me..

My poor CC :(

AB: Fancy cutting my bonnet for me? :)

Ok my Mugen CAI is in transit somewhere in the UK, so should hopefully have it tomorrow...

Do I need to remove the bonnet from the car in order to cut it, or can it be done (safely) with it just being propped up?

Amuse Boy: I can't see any English instructions on your site - all the pictures, etc seem to be in Japanese? Or am I missing something?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Durzel
Ok my Mugen CAI is in transit somewhere in the UK, so should hopefully have it tomorrow...

Do I need to remove the bonnet from the car in order to cut it, or can it be done (safely) with it just being propped up?

Amuse Boy: I can't see any English instructions on your site - all the pictures, etc seem to be in Japanese?

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=294091...ze=1&nostamp=1

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=294091...ze=1&nostamp=1

Thanks - you're a star :)

Woohoo!

The friendly Parcelforce man just dropped off my "present" ;) from Japan. Box is a lot bigger than I was expecting! No Customs Duty though on presents... :D

http://www.superficial.net/miscstuff/mugencai_1.jpg

http://www.superficial.net/miscstuff/mugencai_2.jpg

(excuse the fuzzy pictures - camera phone to blame!)

..unfortunately also got a letter from DHL today about my Muz mats :( Turns out I owe them

Coooooooooooool.

I forgot about this thread.

Anyhow, did you buy it direct from source in Japan? Who. I am in the throws of getting it and have access to Japan to pick it up but where from. AB Dur I await info.

G

Yeah, I bought it from a contact of mine in Japan. Total cost including delivery from Japan to my work was

Well, I fitted my Mugen CAI on Good Friday and here are my impressions so far:

First things first, fitting...

Fitting was an involved job. It took two of us 6.5 hours to complete it from start to finish taking our time. Given sufficient experience it would probably take seasoned Mugen CAI fitters half the time. The time was roughly split 50/50 between fitting the CAI itself, and cutting the bonnet.

I wouldn't advise anyone to fit this on their own as there are parts of the install which, especially if you don't remove the front bumper to get to the air guide as the instructions suggest, require one person to hold/push things while the other manouevres the CAI into place.

The general quality and completeness of all the components that make up the kit is first rate - as you would expect for something that costs at least twice as much as most other CAIs. You can tell that a lot of development work has gone into manufacturing the CAI - the brackets, etc all fit perfectly using the exact dimensions given in the instructions. When fitted the CAI itself is fixed solid in the car, and the rubber trim (a nice touch) makes the whole thing look totally factory.

My only small complaint is that the bonnet cut dimensions given are about 1cm shy on the left hand (driver side) of the bonnet. If you cut the bonnet exactly according to the template supplied by Mugen I'm pretty certain you wouldn't be able to shut the bonnet flush. In the end we had to trim off 1cm off the left hand side, but after this it fit like a glove.

A Dremel or equivalent is essential for cutting the inner skin of the bonnet - I don't think the job could be completed using anything else. Also, make sure you use the fibreglass reinforced cutting discs (labelled "reinforced cutting discs"). We got through 6 of the regular "heavy duty" discs and having only completed 50% of the cut found ourselves having to travel down to B&Q to pick up some more discs - ack. When we used a reinforced disc the rest of the cut was completed using a single disc.

There are guides elsewhere on the forum for exact fitting (this one helped me a lot) so I'll leave it there.

Performance:
Straight off the bat I noticed a huge improvement in the "driveability" of the car. Whilst I'm not sure I've noticed a huge power difference, the smoothness and responsiveness of the car has improved considerably. There is no kangarooing present at all anymore. It's fair to say that the car has seen a noticeable improvement throughout the rev range - not unlike what Mugen actually claims this CAI does. VTEC changeover is more dramatic, with a pleasing change of engine note as it hits 6k RPM. The car feels more torquey as well - Im certain that the torque has improved, although thats just a subjective opinion rather than scientific fact.

In terms of noise the car sounds a lot more throaty (in a good way), and yet regular driving it has not really changed at all. The difference in sound it makes is really only evident during spirited driving - and higher up the rev range it really makes its presence known with a reassuringly tasty sportscar like noise.

To anyone considering a CAI I would definitely recommend it. Although the price is a lot higher than PRM or equivalent I would say that I was genuinely impressed with the results of this single mod. It looks very tasty (yummy carbon fibre), sounds amazing and - best of all - transforms the car from a sometimes hesitant animal into a determined, angry beast.

(Will post pics as soon as I have them and do a full review for neil_s2ks guide)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Durzel
Well, I fitted my Mugen CAI on Good Friday and here are my impressions so far:

First things first, fitting...

Fitting was an involved job.

AB: Will keep an eye on the clamp, thanks for the info.

As promised I have uploaded some photos taken during the install, they can be seen in the gallery:
http://gallery.s2ki.com/imagecatalog/image/list/9851/

Enjoy!

Nice pics :) Just make sure you use some touch up paint for the edges on the cut.

Already done! :D

At first I fitted the rubber trim without doing any touch up, but then realised afterwards that it was probably best to do it so I removed the trim, touched it all up, left it to dry and refitted. :)