This is a guide to "properly" instal a drop-in air filter. I put this together because I am seeing questions about how to instal a filter (i.e. just shove it in the box and force it closed) which will not seal the airbox and can let dirty air into your engine.
It's actually a pretty simple process.
Tools Required:
- 10mm socket wrench
- Your replacement filter
1. Start by removing the three bolts circled here. The blue circled bolts hold the front half of the airbox while the red circled bolt holds the back half. (some people might say that you don't need to remove the blue bolts, but I wanted more leverage so YMMV)
2. Once the bolts are removed you can slide the airbox back and off of the snorkel.
3. Release the silver clips and the airbox should open up into two halves.
Take out the stock air filter and put the replacement into the front half of the airbox.
The air filter will have 3 rounded edges and one that sticks out. Align that tab with the airbox as shown in the photo.
4. You will now need to slide the two halves of the airbox back together. I say
slide because if you try to wedge the two halves back together, you're going to have a bad time.
Put this tooth...
...into this hole. (there are two teeth and two holes...figure it out)
5. Now just kind of work at the two halves of the airbox until they fit together. It took me a few tries to get everything to fit correctly but you'll know when its right.
The airbox is aligned correctly because there wont be any force trying to open the box back up, you should just be able to hold it closed without any force.
6. Double check the alignment tabs on either side of the airbox, I've put example images of a bad seating and a good seating.
BAD BAD BAD
You can see the that one tab is pressing on the other, which makes it stick out.
open the airbox up and try again.
Good Good Good
The tabs sit next to each other but do not touch. The airbox is rigid and does not flex or wobble when force is applied in any direction.
7. That's it, slide the airbox back around the snorkel and rebolt the airbox to the car. You have successfully installed an air filter...