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DIY "Black Mamba" CAI

56K views 78 replies 36 participants last post by  Terry1974 
#1 ·
can this go here?
Directions for adding the "Black Mamba" to your 5.2 or 5.9. Other engines may not need the air hat.
Step1 - Remove old air pipe and hat. Pipe should just come off from fender and hat nothing to unbolt.

Step 2 – Mount the air hat that you have from donar vehicle (Dakota, Durango, Cadillac, or an old CAI) The one from a Dakata/Durango you will need to use the “S’ bolt that goes from the trottle body up through the hat. It will be a tight fit with the firewall right there but just maneaver it so it slides on or you can leave the bolt a little loose and angle it to get the hat on. It will eventually only be able go one way, towards the passenger side. With the hat from the Dakota I was able to attach that little pipe to it like stock, but other wise you can get a little filter at the auto parts store.

Step 3 - Attach the rubber coupler from the plumbing department to the hat with the suppled clamps.
Step 4 – Attach whatever filter you would like to the pipe you got in the electrical department, the Spectre filter I used covers from 2 ½ in up to 4 in pipes.


At this time you can figure a way to help support it. As you can see in my picture I just used a strap and bent it to fit, but I will be changing that soon to an electrical conduit holder mounted to my fender.

Step 5 – Attached the pipe to the rubber coupler on you air hat with the clamps supplied.
You’re done so far, unless you don’t want to paint.
For painting take all apart same way installed. Make sure since its plastic to use an adhesion promotor (?) when painting. Then reinstall per instructions above.
You can also make your own heatshield or just buy one of the universal ones. I will be buying one shortly has I don’t like me homemade one out of heating duct and thermal tape.





Caution... Black Mamba CAI will decrease mileage, annoy the wife, and put a big fat smile on your face.
Any questions just let me know, or if you have any suggestions.
 
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#41 ·
Check out the intake

:smileup: Hey, started on the intake. Here's what I've done so far. Sounds really good. Can't really hear it too much because the muffler is real loud, but with the hood up and i pull the throttle cable it hisses real nice. I plan to get some pvc or electrical conduit to attach to later and a larger air filter. Got this filter off my old Z24's cai.
 

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#47 ·
RE: Black mamba CAI

Reading this has inspired me to try to make my own CAI using PVC and some various other parts, I haven't figured out how to post my pics yet but I did just find my camera so maybe that will help. Hopefully I can stay out of the field long enough to get the work done!!
 
#48 ·
Great post. It is nice to see good ol' America ingenuity at work. I think I will stay the course with at pre-fab, but keeping the way of the spirit that this country was founded on certainly bodes well for those that have tried and succeeded.

Anyone out there have a "fail' story to add to this? Maybe a "I forgot to put the MAF Sensor on" or "my filter got wet cause I did this and went puddle-jumping" stories? Don't be afraid, I know that someone out there has a lesson learned for all of us on these homemade ideas and that is how we all learn.

2 Tumbs UP for effort and success!
 
#51 ·
another source for the elusive air hat for you guys looking to build these... the jeep grand cherokee laredo had an option on the 1990 to 1998 (approx) jeeps with a 318 v8. they have a hat that would work as well as the durango. also you are correct, the cadillac eldorado mid to late 90's had a hat as well.

thought it might help
 
#54 ·
This project here is what inspiered me to build my own cai. I kept going all the way down behind the front bumper on mines though. Hope it gets some of you guys out there working on your truck. Indeed it is great info!!
 
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