Install a Short Ram Intake(SRI)

Step 1:

Disconnect the battery.  The easiest to method is to remove the negative terminal.  This is to keep you safe from electricity and resets the car so it can relearn the air flow faster.(10mm socket wrench)

Step 2:  

Remove the fasteners holding down the ram scoop. 

Step 3:

Pull the wiring harness off the MAF sensor and remove the wiring from the air-box.

Step 4:

Remove the two bolts holding the MAF onto the air-box.  (T15 wrench)

Step 5:

Loosen the hose clamp holding the rubber tube to the air-box.

Step 6:

Pull the rubber hose off the air-box.  Gently pull the whole box up and out.

Step 7:

But the MAF in place in the SRI and gently tighten the supplied bolts.  (3mm allen wrench)

Step 8:

Install the SRI onto the rubber hose.

Step 9:

Using the hole leftover from the stock air-box, bolt down the arm of the SRI.

Step 10:

Tighten the filter and hose clamp.  Reconnect the battery terminal and start the car.  Let it idle for a good 15 minutes so it can adjust to the new air flow coming in.

What is a front strut bar?

Front strut bars are an essential performance part that increases the handling and steering precision of a vehicle.  It is a metal bar, usually made from round or square tubing.  It bolts to the tops of the front strut towers and goes across the engine.  With tying the strut towers together movement from the steering during cornering is reduced. 

Cold Air Intake vs Short Ram Intake Air intake system - This often times is the first modifications done to a car because of the easiness of the mod and the extra gain of horse power it provides. A Cold Air and the Short Ram Intake improve the amount of air flow and provides cooler air entering your motor. This is done by either drawing cool air from under the car or sealing your factory ram air to the cool outside air. Both methods ensure your motor is getting enough air in and that the air is not hot.

What is the difference between a Cold Air Intake and Short Ram Intake?

The name says it all, a short ram intake is “short”, and therefore the air filter remains somewhere near the engine. A cold air intake has a much longer piping and is designed to draw in cooler air which usually allows for more horsepower to be produced than a short ram intake. A short ram intake is generally less expensive and easier to install. A short ram intake is typically made of aluminum that replaces the stock rubber pipe and the stock air box is then replaced with an open air filter. The air filter is then protected by a heat shield which is to provide extra protection from engine heat that the filter would be exposed to. The SRI will give you a good power increase over the stock because you are replacing the restrictive air box. While the cold air intake is designed to place the air filter as far away from the hot engine as possible. When an engine takes in colder air, it creates more power.

OK, so which is better the cold air intake or the short ram intake?

The breakdown:

Short Ram Intake (SRI)

+Easier to install

+Usually cheaper than CAI

+Less chance of hydraulic

+Slightly better throttle response

-Warmer Air than CAI

-Often times less power

Cold Air Intake (CAI)

+Colder Air

+More aggressive sounding

-More chance to hydrolock*

-Less noticeable throttle response

-More difficult install

When it's all said and done, both have their advantages and disadvantages. It depends on the person and the car.

*What is hydrolocking?

Hydrolocking usually occurs when a car is driven through deep water and it gets sucked into the intake then into the engine. The locking occurs because water does not compress.

Beginners guide to modifying your car.
The basics for modding your Lancer.


1.) Know Your Car: Before you go out and just start buying random parts to throw on your car, it is best to come up with a look/theme you want to go for.  Installing random parts that do not go together and covering your car in stickers is not modding.  You need to understand what your car can and cannot do.  Understand what you are buying and the benefits of the mod for your car, this will prevent you from wasting your money and keep you from any regrets later on. 

The Mitsubishi Lancer is not a powerhouse vehicle, nor is it meant to be.  It is a fuel effiecient daily driver with an aggressive style.  If you are looking for power it is best to save up and go for the RA and EVO.  Knowing your car's limitations with allow for you to mod properly. 

2.) Do Your Research: Does it fit? Knowledge is power and while living in a time where information is so readily available take the time to research exactly what you are buying.  There are thousands of parts out there some good some bad.  Before you just go spending your money do the proper research to make sure a particular mod/part fits your car.  There is nothing worse than buying a part because it looked cool only to find out that it does not fit on your car.  A little bit of research could save you hours of frustration later on.

3.) Budget & Planning: This ones pretty obvious but still good to go over.  It is always a good idea to sit down and figure out exactly what you want done to your car, how much it will cost, and what order in which you want everything done.

4.) Safety: The most important thing is to understand the some mods done to your car will void your warranty and possibly lower your vehicles safety.  Always make sure your servicing your car, there is no excuse for your car to not be properly maintained.  Safey can often times be disregarded just because we want to install a mod.  An example would be a racing steering wheel being installed, it would be great to have and would look great; however it would mean there would be no front airbag and its illegal.  Know and understand the risks before adding something to your car. 

5.) The Extra Attention:  Once your car starts to take shape its bound to be a header turner and you will start getting your car noticed.  This includes the cops and potential thieves so be on the look out.  Most cops will leave you alone if your are not driving wrecklessly or making a big scene.  They will hear that loud exhaust and you will become a natural target.  Be smart, cops do not like paper work but if they find a reason to pull you over they will look for other violations to write you up on.

6.) Always Remember It's Your Car: At the end of the day it's your car an noone can tell you what to do.  All people can do is make suggestions.  Do not expect everyone to like your car and that's ok.  Mod for you not for them and everyone has different tastes.  There is no right or wrong mod!