How to Install a Cold Air Intake in a Pontiac Sunfire GT 1997

Install a cold air intake in a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire GT to get a better reaction time for acceleration and overall performance. Simply replace the stock air box with an extended tube air intake to deliver cooler, dense air into the intake manifold, which produces more horsepower and reaction times.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1997 Pontiac Sunfire GT Cold air intake Utility knife Screwdriver Adjustable wrench

1. Park the vehicle in a well-lighted, open area. Engage the parking brake. Disconnect the cables from the battery to prevent possible short circuits that can occur when moving metal parts and tools inside a "hot" electrical system.

2. Extract the old, bulky stock air box from the engine compartment by loosening the hoses that attach it to the intake manifold and the back of the air box. Remove the tubing and discard. Remove the air filter from the old air box and loosen the nuts and bolts that secure the air box to its platform through the base. Remove the old air box and discard. Protect the opening of the intake manifold with a lint-free rag to avoid particles falling into the intake, which can cause damage within the engine.

3. Assemble the new cold air intake by securing the cone air filter on the correct end of the tubing. Place the rubber elbow over the other end of the cold air intake tubing, along with two hose clamps that are placed over the top of the rubber elbow. Take the open end of the cold air intake elbow and place it over the inlet of the car's air intake manifold. Tighten both hose clamps so that one secures the rubber elbow to the new intake tube and one secures the rubber elbow over the car's intake opening.

4. Secure and install a cold air intake in the car by tightening the nut that connects the intake tubing to the support bracket for the unit. A supporting arm for the intake tube can be tightened down to the engine compartment by using anchor points. If a new bracket to secure the cold air intake is needed, use the self-tapping screws in the fender wall, which will keep the tubing and filter of the intake secure.

5. Cover an exposed performance cone air filter with a dust cover that help keep particles and debris from entering the intake through the cold air intake. The filter should be in a place that receives more air flow from under the car. The completed cold air intake will return the benefits of higher horsepower and better fuel mileage due to the improved operational environments that the engine will operate under.

Tips & Warnings

• To remove old, rubber elbows from the air intake manifold of the engine, use a utility knife to slice through the rubber in an up-and-down cut. Peel back the old elbow to remove this troublesome product that was sealed by the factory.
• When performing upgrades to an engine's operating performance, be alert to the higher temperatures that will be produced. Adding additional horsepower requires additional gauges and tracking of the engine's performance to avoid damage to the engine.

Resources

• AEM Cold Air Intakes for Pontiac