Paxton Air Cleaner and Hood Interference

[GR8_ASP]

I am creating a new post regarding the hood pad interference issue with the Paxton air cleaner module (noted on another post).

I also have the problem. the interference is hard enough that the hood is pressing down on the air cleaner until the air cleaner hits the after cooler. I believe it is only a matter of time before the hood pad is ruined. I am also concerned about the added stress on the hood itself as it seems to be pushing up on the hood all of the time.

I called Paxton and discussed this with them. They are aware of the issue. Paxton indicated they are looking at a problem vehicle right now (maybe ViperX???). They indicated it may be as much as 4 months before they get a revised mold to correct the issue. I asked specifically what I should do, and expressed concern that it will quickly destroy the hood pad. The representative indicated he was not aware what would be done for current owners and that it was a "management decision." He told me to call back in 4 months for a status update.

Now I believe we, current Paxton owners, should band together and make sure that Paxton works with us to correct this issue. These kits were not a bargain and we should expect Paxton to make good on this.

 

[GR8_ASP]

Here are a few pictures that show the contact points. Note the drivers side has already worn/punctured through the hood pad. You can see the discoloration on the air box where the contact is occuring also.

 

[fluffy]

Just grind the corners down. You're looking at maybe 5mm of material (make sure not to leave any plastic chips inside of course).

 

[GR8_ASP]

The air cleaner housing is only a couple mm thick. I have thought about taking a heat gun and reforming it though

But for an $8k system I expect perfection and not something that looks like I took a heat gun to it. Ugh!

 

[ARMORGOD]

Thanks for taking the lead on this. I'll give Paxton a call and express my concern as well. My air cleaner has already worn through my hood pad on the left corner. All they have to do to fix it is mold the plastic so that it curves down more at the edges and the problem is solved. This was a design flaw on Paxton's part and they need to address it.

 

[ARMORGOD]

Just grind the corners down. You're looking at maybe 5mm of material (make sure not to leave any plastic chips inside of course).

The airbox material is only 5mm thick, at best. So, grinding the corners down will make two holes in each corner and it will look like straight us a$$ to boot. Grinding the corners is definitely not the answer to the problem.

 

[BigCarrot]

Wow, mine doesn't rub. The guys that installed it said it looked different than Armorgod's. I figured I had a revised version! Maybe it just hasn't been driven enough to wear on it yet. I plan to meet their Paxton rep in a couple of weeks. I'll hit him up.

 

[DSR207]

Quote:
" already worn through my hood pad on the left corner."
.........................................................
Same here, it seems to fit better on the other side, but still too high. I will give paxton a call too...

 

[Paul Hawker]

I spoke to a club member who raised this directly with Paxton. They indicated to him that they would modify the mold for that part by welding in a filler for the high spots. This would make the parts coming out of the mold contour a little lower. Think this should do the trick.

Mine has the same hood pad issue.

 

[GR8_ASP]

As I indicated above they told me they were going to need a new mold and it would take 4 months. That was this afternoon.

Your friend isn't the one with their car at Paxton right now is he? If so it would be nice if he used the direct line to help those of us with the problem

 

[BigCarrot]

Four months is rediculous! Like Paul said, it should be a very simple fix!

 

[Viper X]

Hi Guys,

Yes, I visited Paxton about ten days ago. It was a 3 hour round trip, but probably a lot closer than most of you. I met with Micah, a sales rep and then with an engineer whose name escapes me. The engineer spent about 30 minutes inspecting and measuring the interference on my car. They then told me that they would be revising the mold that forms the air box top by welding up the corners and sending me a new air box. The time frame I was quoted was 4 to 6 weeks. This could have been bull just to get me out of their hair, but they seemed genuinely concerned.

My hood insulation is ruined as well and must be replaced. They should step up for that as well, in my opinion.

On a related subject, the air intake mold in the bottom half of the back of the air box on my unit (the round part that attaches by hose to the supercharger intake) is formed a bit too high. It actually exerts pressure on the air box itself. I mentioned this to Paxton as well and they said it would be too expensive to re-do (read do this correctly), so not much luck there. I've already had contact with between the alternator pulley and the supercharger pulley, so I am concerned with any additional pressure on this area. I had to have my installer loosen, adjust, loctite and re-tighten all bolts. I now have about .060 clearance between the two pulleys. I would be interested in what you guys have there (I just used a feeler gage for this).

I for one won't let them off the hook, and with your help, we will get what we should have the first time, a properly fitting system, including the air box.

Dan

 

[Paul Hawker]

Dan (ViperX) is the club member I spoke about. He got the information directly from a visit to Paxton.

If you have this issue, perhaps a call to Paxton would be in order. They can take your name, and when they have a new part made they can contact you.

 

[GR8_ASP]

I asked if they would like to take my name and contact me when they get things fixed and the rep responded "no." And he clearly told me 4 months and not 4-6 weeks. 4-6 weeks sounds much more reasoable for modifying the tool.

Dan please keep us advised so that when they are able to correct things that we can all get appropriate action. I agree on the hood pad as well. Mine is ruined in only 2 days use and less than 100 miles.

 

[Joseph Dell]

I've seen a few of these installs and every one has the rubbing problem. I've tried to see how to adjust the setup to make it work, but doesn't look like there is any way to make it fit better unless the housing for the cleaner was a an inch (or half inch) shorter.

I can't wait to hear what the result of this is...

JD

 

[SnakeEye]

It seems to be an issue for just about all the installs. A heat gun can relax the contact point and reduce the amount of wear but a new mold is the real answer. I also brought this up to Micah sometime ago. I'll be looking to receive a new air box myself - hopefully sooner rather than later.

 

[Viper X]

Hey Viper SRT,

I now have over 5000 super charged miles. My hood insulation is toast compared to yours. No worries, I'll keep on them.

We should probably all Email them and let them know we're not happy. They have a web site and contact info. This is how I contacted them initially.

Where do you live in Michigan? I lived in Rochester Hills for three year.

Dan

 

[TedK]

I would like to hear Dan Cragin's input on this issue, he has quite alot of experience with Paxton.

 

[Viper X]

Hey Ted,

I've spoken with Dan Cragin and I think he may have already spoken to Paxton as well. Dan's a good guy. He's also seen this problem on a car or two I think.

Dan

 

[GR8_ASP]

Okay, it has been more than 6 weeks any news???

My hood pad is now completely wasted. Now I am starting to become concerned about wearing the hood itself. We need a solution NOW! For the price paid we deserve to get the issue corrected, completely including the hood pad.

Viper X. Yes, I live in Rochester Hills. I must not have seen the post earlier where you were asking. For about 5 months of the year I wish I was in California though (or Florida ...).

 

[SnakeEye]

This problem is getting a little long in the tooth for sure.

 

[Viper X]

I e-mailed Paxton last week before going to the Silver State and they did not / have not responded to this problem yet.

Again, I think all of you guys should e-mail / call them too, regularly.

Just wait till your supercharged engine starts spitting oil into your air box like mine is. Call me, I should have a good fix by then.

Dan

 

[GR8_ASP]

I have not checked for oil in the air cleaner, but it was noted that I had smoke coming out at times at a track event. Not much, but given the hard decels and braking it may be the same issue. BTW the Paxton hp on the track is awesome.

 

[KaiPL]

Just wait till your supercharged engine starts spitting oil into your air box like mine is. Call me, I should have a good fix by then.

What is happening? Is this oil from the engine, or oil from the supercharger?

 

[Viper X]

Hi Kai,

It's engine oil. It originates from the breather tube on the driver's side of the engine on top of the valve cover. This is the tube that is plugged into the air box, very near to the supercharger intake. Initially, I thought the supercharger was "pulling" oil into the air box via suction, but now find that under spirited driving, like track or drags, oil flows from this breather tube - probably due to additional internal pressure - and now into a temporary "catch can" that I have come up with.

I'm working on a permanent solution with West Coast Viper. It will be a small reservoir that will catch the oil, return it to the oil pan via the supercharger oil drain line and allow for the tube to remain connected to the air box.

This isn't a ton of oil, but it did make a mess out of my air box before I noticed it. It all started with just a bit of smoke, like Viper SRT says. I took a look at my side pipes and they were darker than usual. There was more "soot" on my rear bumper / lower quarter panels than usual and then found the oil in the air box.

Bottom line, the extra power is worth the trouble.

Dan

 

[ARMORGOD]

My hood pad is completely **** up at one of the air cleaner corners and the hood itself is starting to show some wear. Better be a solution from Paxton SOON!