Chrome intake tube installation

[andymo1972]

Marty -

I just got my chrome tubes last Wednesday and I did not remove my airbox when installing them (and boy do they add to the asthetics in the engine bay. I may have done it differently than others have though. The tubes are cut long to ensure a good seal. I put the reducers on the tubes and, with a lot of effort, pulled the reducers down over the tube until there was only about 1/4 inch of reducer after the end of the tube. I did this on both sides of the tubes and then loosened my airbox so it had some play. Work the tubes onto the throttle bodies and airbox openings (do this on BOTH tubes before the next step to ensure you have enough play in the airbox). Then, again with some effort (2 people might be able to do this a lot easier), pull the reducers away from the end of the tubes. You should be able to pull the top reducers all the way over the flange on the throttle bodies. Pull the bottom reducers until they kind of flare out from pressing against where the openings in the airbox begin to spread out. Then put your clamps on. It took me a little over an hour including all the time I spent staring at everything until an idea popped into my head. Hope that helps.

Andy
97 GTS

 

[Snake Bitten]

Well, I made it through the last thread about these without ordering, but this one has put me over the line...resisting is useless...THANKS ALOT!

Incidentally, pulling the airbox takes all of about 2.5 seconds...

 

[jimandela]

I installed these as well

And i found it much easier to remove the box
put a reducer on the chrome tube and work it gently to the throttle body till it seats.
then the airbox again till it seats. NO band clamps until it is all back together. You will not need one next to the airbox seeing that it is on so tight.
the airbox is snug going back on. (patience is a must)
took my time 1-1/2 hr.
good luck
JIM

 

[RedGTS]

I've got them as well, and they do look great, but man installing them without completely removing the airbox was like wrestling an alligator. I still think they're cut too long, as I had trouble getting one of them to stop scraping against the throttle body, even with the front end worked as far into the reducer as I could get it. In fact, these tubes without the reducer on are as long as smooth tubes, if that tells you anything. I also worried a little about the inside of the tubes looking a little rusty. Don't know if that will rust more as time goes on or not, but it would have been nicer if they had coated the inside of the tubes with something.

 

[andymo1972]

Great pics Jim! And the reason I installed mine the way I did is because I posses little (if any) patience...hahahahahaha.

I agree that they are a bit long. I thought about cutting mine down just a bit to make the fit better. Seems like a good inch and a half could come off in my case and they'd be near perfect. If I do that, I may have the insides bead blasted as well. I wonder what you could coat the inside with? Any ideas Ronnie?? I'd worry about paint flaking off.

Andy
97 GTS

 

[RedGTS]

Andy, they definitely could be powder-coated or something by most any plater I think. I may send mine off as a winter project.

 

[2charmed]

I found that when I got mine they would not fit. (too long)
I sent them back and they trimmed 1 1/4" off. I then installed
them in about 10 minutes!

They do look good and I have always been told that chrome in
the engine bay adds at leat 10 hp (it must be true, right?)

2Charmed

 

[jimandela]

yes a little shorter would have been nice for the install.
But it was worth the effort of the install IMHO.
best wishes
JIM

 

[bigr1]

where can i get the red reducer rubber pieces from fellows? thanks!

Randy
[email protected]

 

[95Viper]

I ordered these too...should be here this week. I'm in no rush to install them since I live in Michigan and am storing the car so I have all winter.

I'm extremely curious about the recommended solution to coat the inside and ends...What would the process be because I will send mine out to have it done?

I'm also curious about the length. I have the factory tubes. How much shorter should they be than the factory tubes? Maybe 1 inch on each side? 2 inches? Then the reducers will take up the slack.

Also, will 3 clamps be needed on each? They told me the new reducers didn't need clamps but I still thought to put 2 on each side where the chrome meets the reducer. 3 seems like overkill though...the engine can't move enough to make these fall off the throttle body?

 

[jimandela]

Randy,
you can email jason for the reducers
[email protected]

Craig,
I think 3 bands worked out okay.
I definitely did not need one at the box
and probably could passed on the one at the TB.
but it cant hurt to have the bands.
I did not worry about coating the inside of them
Just installed.
hopefully they will be just fine.
will check the inside at the end of next season when i service
the filters.
JIM

 

[bigr1]

thanks guys, i got him.

 

[WESTCOAST JASON]

Thanks to all of you for liking our tubes. After some careful checking and measuring set # 001 (the NX ones off of my old setup) it appears that the measuring JIG has grown nearly a full inch over time. I apologize for those who had headaches dealing with the tubes that were a little too long. It does not actually hurt anything but sure creates a challenge on putting them on. If anyone that has some of the ****** versions

I would be more than happy to swap them out for you.

I noticed someone said there was some surface rust on the inside of their set, this is not a big deal, but it is also not right. I have checked them since I first heard that and other than tiny amounts on a few sets here and there, there has been nothing. I live on the coast so just to be safe I did bring the inventory inside from the garage and now I check them all just to be sure. Obviously running the car the first time after install will immediatley give them an internal quick clean every time, but the oldest set (again, my original NX used ones) show some surface (read: wont wipe off) rust, but that is it.

The new matrix adapters that we use now DO NOT require the use of hose clamps. Not to mention, unless you get Turbonetics T-Clamps, putting hose clamps on a viper is a fasion no-no. If you do ever just want them anyway, just include the request in the email or check you send and I will throw some in for you. Additionally, for anyone who upgrades to larger throttle bodies or an airbox, just email for the larger silicon (3" silicon requires hose clamps). Thanks again for all your support and business. This weekend customization of the first set I made to solve the wiggling nitrous nozzle has turned into something that I am proud to see on peoples cars. They truly do look nice. (hint, hint Dodge) Plus we all know that adding chrome to anycar is good for 50HP.

Lastly, I have pulled all the ads that were for the original sets (meaning no matrix reducers) selling for only $100 - I did honor those during the overlapping time, but all sets are now $125 plus $18 for fedex. Email me at [email protected] for anything you may need and keep an eye on WWW.SPEEDSTUFF.COM for assorted interesting stuff. Take care!

Jason & Sheila - The Chrome Smoothie People!

 

[WESTCOAST JASON]

UPDATE: Chrome pipes are now treated on the inside to minimize any surface rust on them.... (thanks for the emails) You can get them from Jon B at Parts Rack www.partsrack.com exclusivley.....

=)

Jason

 

[weed43]

Jimandela, The viper emblem under you hood is that painted. If not what is it and where did you get it, looks sharp.

 

[Snake Bitten]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by weed53:

Jimandela, The viper emblem under you hood is that painted. If not what is it and where did you get it, looks sharp.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Like the one on my RT???

One I'm doing for another local member...No I can't do yours! But you can easily do it yourself or buy one from PartsRack...

 

[jimandela]

weed53,
i painted mine my self.

I would be happy to paint a local guys hood pad ..but shipping
one is too much of a pain due to the size.
nice winter project and not hard to do.

Gerald,
how long did it take you do the black and silver one.
It looks great!!!

JIM

 

[weed43]

Gerald, that's the one and it looks like it held in place with plastic snap inserts. any idea the cost before I call Jonb.

 

[Snake Bitten]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jimandela:
Gerald, how long did it take you do the black and silver one.
It looks great!!! JIM

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


The Black/Silver isn't quite done yet...I still have to mask the outline and spray three - five coats of high-temp clear...but just the silver only took me a couple of days...working on it on and off...

The biggest tip I can give anyone is PATIENCE! (Or buy one!)

 

[Snake Bitten]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by weed53:
Gerald, that's the one and it looks like it held in place with plastic snap inserts. any idea the cost before I call Jonb.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

They aren't too expensive...and JonB's pad comes with all the new clips and the clip removal tool...just give him a call and then decide if you wanna attempt it yourself...

 

[jimandela]

Gerald,
i went with 2 full cans of black spray first.
then by hand 2 cans sprayed into a baby food jar of
dodge 2001 race yellow.
but no clear coat and it is holding up just fine.

Jim

 

[Snake Bitten]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jimandela:
Gerald,
i went with 2 full cans of black spray first.
then by hand 2 cans sprayed into a baby food jar of
dodge 2001 race yellow.
but no clear coat and it is holding up just fine.

Jim

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Jim...I hate to break it to you, but no clear coat is a total rookie mistake...Three - Five coats of clear just makes the emblem POP! Let us know when you break into the ranks of EXTREME POSING!!!

 

[jimandela]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Snake Bitten:

Jim...I hate to break it to you, but no clear coat is a total rookie mistake...Three - Five coats of clear just makes the emblem POP! Let us know when you break into the ranks of EXTREME POSING!!!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

someday i will get there!
maybe the chrome engine dress up kit?
that should be my next poser mod

 

[Tiepilot]

Gerald,
What brand of spray paint did you use, or what brand(s) is everyone using? Krylon, a high heat paint?

I gotta pull my hood pad and paint it now, darn you guys always creating more work for me!!

 

[jimandela]

Tie,
i used rustoleam painter touch.
black 2 big cans. probably should have used
primer.
and then dodge can of spray touch up yellow
sprayed into baby food jar.
here is the original hood pad thread

http://vca1.viperclub.org/ubb/Forum14/HTML/009314.html

more detail here.
my info is on page 2
good luck
JIM

 

[jimandela]

Tony,
your right the original hood pad thread.
you were one of the first hood pad painters!!!
your came out good too

Hood pad painting making the long winter go by quicker

best wishes

Jim

 

[weed43]

Jim,& Gerald, Have you had any discoloring from the heat using enamel paint, Also has any one ever checked the temperature under the hood on a hot day after running the car hard.

 

[Snake Bitten]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by weed53:
Jim,& Gerald, Have you had any discoloring from the heat using enamel paint, Also has any one ever checked the temperature under the hood on a hot day after running the car hard.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No problems at all...I use Dupli-Color Engine Enamel...The Ceramic 500 Deg stuff...

 

[KenH]

My paint job is still holding up even though I just used some cheap HD Painters Choice paint. Been about a year and 7,000 miles or so. Looks like the day I painted it. I don't think there is enough heat on it to cause problems no matter what you paint you use. It's up toward the cooler front portion of the hood.

--- Ken

 

[jimandela]

ken,
how are you my yellow brother?
my paint job holding its own too. and i used what ken did.


JIM