[LindsayWithnA]

I have an 03 GT Mustang. I bought a K & N air filter. Of course, now I've got to take out my old filter.

Ok, here's the deal. I'm very much a girl! I know where the air filter is. I unsnapped the . . . thing that houses the air filter but I'm struggling to get the filter out. I think I just need to get more aggressive. I just don't want to do anything wrong. It seems kind of awkward to get out.

I have guy friends, but I don't want to ask them. I wanna do this myself, dammit!

Any words of advice? Help? Encouragement!?

Thanks,

Lindsay

 

[lxarlo]

it would probably be easier on those to unscrew the clamp that clamps half of the filter housing, then the housing will just slip off. is it a gt or v6? not sure on the gts but on the v6 you might want to take out that electrical connector on the side right by the filter housing, so you dont end up ripping it off by accident. it is just a little barb clip that you can pull straight out. hope this helps. now i see it is a gt. when you get the new one in it would be easier to put the housing back together, snap it shut, and then put the air tube back on and screw it down.

 

[carguy1985]

Hey, welcome good to see more Girls into cars... my g/fs looking for a mach1 or a Trans AM WS6.

anyhow, i have a 02GT.... when you change the air filter theres a screwin the fender wall that you should see, also the airbox is held down with some "push pop rubbers things" lol just pull out hard but be carefull with the Mass air sensor and the wiring harness that goes to it, after you got that out you can loosen the circle clamp and open the airbox..... remember the car has a air tube also that goes into the fender, so that might give you some hassle, just play around with it and should work fine.


Hope this helps. PM me if you need any more help.

 

[Storkdork]

By the way, the "air tube" or air silencer that actually goes into the fender, it won't be necessary to put that back on. You'll get a little more "oomph" without it.:yup:

 

[carguy1985]

true true... i have had a CAI for some time now so.... forget what its called lol =) but yea it gives you more bang =)

 

[LindsayWithnA]

Thanks 4 the help. I got it installed.

Stork, not sure what you mean about not connecting the air silencer going into the fender. I reattached everything.

in any event, i felt like there was a bit more acceleration, but it might just be in my head. i mean, im not sure if i could really notice a 5-10 hp gain.

 

[Langod]

Thanks 4 the help. I got it installed.

Stork, not sure what you mean about not connecting the air silencer going into the fender. I reattached everything.

in any event, i felt like there was a bit more acceleration, but it might just be in my head. i mean, im not sure if i could really notice a 5-10 hp gain.

Lindsay,
Just a K&N filter alone is not going to give you anywhere near 5-10 hp. MAYBE you'll get 2-3 hp. If you really want to add 5-10 horsepower, you'll have to buy the whole K&N FIPK system.

The air silencer is the trumpet-shaped piece that was attached to the air filter box and that sticks through from the engine compartment into the fender. Take it out. It isn't necessary -- it's there to cut down on noise. You'll get a nice intake sound with it gone. There's lots of controversy as to whether taking it out actually ADDS any horsepower. Most people believe that it helps throttle response even if it doesn't add any real power.

 

[pamichaelo]

I think you have the information

I did this about 2 years ago soon after I bought my Mustang. I was a bit nervous about messing up but once I unclamped and undid the cover the original filter came out fairly easy. Putting the new one in wasn't too hard even though space a bit tight. Good luck.

 

[LindsayWithnA]

Thanks, Lang.

I guess I need to go look under the hood because I'm still confused about removing this piece that you say is attached to the "air filter box." It sounds like, whatever it is, it muffles noise but possibly blocks air flow? And if you say it won't damage the engine (e.g., keeping it less clean)), then it sounds like an easy way to add hp.


What is it about cars that makes me such a dumba$$??? I know there is this red tip on the filter. Remove that?

Above all, I want to maintain my car. I really try n take care of it --- in the ways i know how. easy on the brakes, synthetic oil, kepping the exterior/interior really clean. But, a fast car is cool. As one of my guy friends said, "somethin about a girl in a GT." ; )

I apppreciate the guys on this site who put up with a blondie like me!

Lindsay

 

[Fiat Freak]

Lindsay,

You keep that head under the hood, and you're gonna make your mom and dad REAL proud! At least, I would be.

I had difficulty with my daughter's '00 GT getting the filter out the first time too. So do not feel bad about having some trouble.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER put yourself down because you're a girl, or blonde. That is just self-defeating, demeaning crap.

Go to the parts store and getcher self a Haynes or Chiltons repair manual. Look at both, and purchase the one that you understand the best. You may be able to borrow one of each from your local library, since you do not have a newest body style car.

And, do not apologize for yourself on this forum. Getting answers to questions on Mustang preservation, maintenance, and operation is what this forum is all about. No one has all the answers, and we all have to start somewhere.

Good luck with your phat ride !!

 

[TK421DS]

Here's what you need next......http://www.brothersperformance.com/shop/mustang/k&n572519-1.html

 

[LindsayWithnA]

Thanks for the encouragement, fiat. I'd like to start learning more about cars. I think I'll end up enjoying my car more if i truly understand how everything runs. I had planned on going to the library and taking out some books.

And, TK, I saw that filter kit and year that'd be sweet to install, but at this point it would probably be foolish for me to try and install it myself. Even if I had "directions", without supervision of someone who knows what he's doing, I could realy screw things up!

Anyone wanna install it 4 me!? ; )

 

[carguy1985]

my g/f knew decent when i started going out iwth her now she can do alot of stuff, just make friends with a car guy and hang out lol

girls can do it just like boys.....there are some guys ...(my cousins) dont know jack about cars

my g/fs waiting to get a trans am ws6, she wants the decal that reads....


BAD ASS TOYS ARENT JUST FOR BOYS.

i find it great.

 

[Langod]

Thanks, Lang.

I guess I need to go look under the hood because I'm still confused about removing this piece that you say is attached to the "air filter box." It sounds like, whatever it is, it muffles noise but possibly blocks air flow? And if you say it won't damage the engine (e.g., keeping it less clean)), then it sounds like an easy way to add hp.


What is it about cars that makes me such a dumba$$??? I know there is this red tip on the filter. Remove that?

Above all, I want to maintain my car. I really try n take care of it --- in the ways i know how. easy on the brakes, synthetic oil, kepping the exterior/interior really clean. But, a fast car is cool. As one of my guy friends said, "somethin about a girl in a GT." ; )

I apppreciate the guys on this site who put up with a blondie like me!

Lindsay

Lindsay,

here are some pics to help clear it up:

First pic (air-tube) -- this is the air tube that sits INSIDE the fender that most people remove. It is attached to your air filter box on the intake side and sticks through the hole in the fender where the air flow comes in.

2nd pic (k&n) - this is a shot of my engine compartment with my K&N installed. If you look to the left of the purple filter element, you see a hole in the fender. Thats where the stock airbox mounts and the air tube is attached.
To take out the stock airbox -- there is a single bolt at the top of the air filter box that attaches the whole system to the car. There is also a rubber fitting that presses into the sheet metal at the bottom of the air filter box. It is only a press-fit and you just need to give a upwards tug to release it.
You may have to loosen some of the ring clamps and remove the electrical plug from the MAF (right behind the filter in my pic) to give you enough slack to pull the air tube out.

Don't be afraid. About the only thing you can do to "break" something doing ths would be to break the MAF electrical connection. There's really nothing else to break.

By the way, the K&N FIPK system can be found brand new on Ebay for about $150-160. That's where I got mine.

Girls who work on cars, rock! I hope my daughter works on her cars when she's older.
Don't get discouraged and keep asking questions -- that's what we're here for!

Jim

 

[tripleblack]

Club

One suggestion I'd make would be to join a Mustang club in your area. The Mustang Club of America (MCA for short, www.mustang.org) is a great organization to join - $35 a year, I think, and includes a nice monthly magazine. The MCA also has regional clubs all over - including Michigan. Their info is noted at the end of this post. Don't be shy - most clubs are great places to get together, learn about the cars if you're new - and network information about where and how to maintain and modify your ride. Most clubs also have extensive schedules of mustang shows, cruizes, road trips, events, etc. If you're just starting out, and interested in making your car a hobby, a club (or 2) is a good idea.

You started with this forum with a simple question. Don't hesitate to keep asking those questions. 99% of the folks on this forum will try to help you out - and most know whereof they speak. Explore and use the search functions to poke around the site - there is an absolute gold mine worth of information here, all free. Do your reasearch before doing modifications or maintenance on your ride - learn from our mistakes (most of us have a list of those to go along with the list of mods on our cars!). Before you know it, you'll be coaching some newb with their first mods - and then the torch is passed!

Welcome home.

tripleblack

Mustang Club of Mid-Michigan
Saginaw, MI
President:
Gary Strappazon (38866) 925 Flint St. Frankenmuth, MI 48734
(989) 652-4842

MCA Regional Director:
Stan Bentley (2573) 5120 Millis Rd. North Branch, MI 48461
(810) 688-3909
Meeting Info: We meet Monthly on the 3rd Monday (7pm)at Bavarian Inn Lodge
1 Covered Bridge Ln
Frankenmuth, Mi 48734
989 652-7200
Please feel free to contact us for more information!

 

[Fiat Freak]

One suggestion I'd make would be to join a Mustang club in your area.

This is an excellent suggestion for anyone desiring to learn more about their car. Guess how many Fiats there are in a tri-county area from my house. Three. Guess how many Fiat mechanics are left in Michigan (alive) since Fiat stopped importing to the US in 1985. Not as many as you have fingers on your left hand. Without a club to be a part of, without a specific member forum to converse in......I'd be out in the cold, by myself, on many idiosyncratic details of my favorite ride.

This forum is great for new Mustang owners. There is knowledge aplenty on these pages, and good advice is offered to the novice without the fear of embarrasment or retribution.

However, a web based forum is no substitute for hands on experience. Unless you wanna attend a tech school, the best place to get this experiece is through a car club. There are thousands of clubs throughout the US, and certainly there should be a Mustang, or Ford Muscle Car Club in your area, Lindsay. They should welcome you, as you are; having once been in your shoes as a newbie.

 

[Langod]

Tripleblack and Fiat Freak make an excellent suggestion. I've been doing "driveway repairs" on my cars for 20 years and have had other mustangs before my current one, but even so, since I joined my local Mustang club last year, I've learned a lot. There's just no replacement for the knowledge you can get from people who have actually done the work and can show you the results.

 

[LindsayWithnA]

Good suggestions on joining a Mustang Club. It'd be cool to meet up with other Mustang people. My hope is that everyone would be pretty nice and accepting. And helpful! As u can tell I'm not trying to act like I know more than I do. My goal is to do everything I can to have my car run really smoothly, for a long time, but be really quick.

I took out the air filter tube. That was easy. However, i can't get the screw to reattach to the hood. i've tried everything. I don't get it. I unscrewed it . . . it should go back! the filter is a little loose but pretty stable. But maybe it would move around when I drive. I'm not sure what the problem would be though. I'll try again tonight.

Anyway I read you might get a few hp out of this or a little more acceleration. But that it's louder. I don't like loud noises, but I'm sure I can handle a little more rumble.

My bro in law had a Fiero which he loved. I think that thing musta weighed about 10 pounds! Where is Coldwater anyway? I live in Novi.

 

[tripleblack]

Go Fast - Go Loud

Better get used to noise if you want to go quicker! I believe almost every go-faster modification will also make the car a little louder, one way or another!

As for the screw problem, you may have wallowed out (made bigger) the hole it goes into, in which case you need to scout around to find a similar screw that's a size bigger. If you're just having a hard time aligning the parts (abs plastic can deform a little from handling or heat, and this will mean that the parts have to be massaged back in alignment), be patient and you'll figure it out. This is one of those mechanical skills that the body learns in concert with your mind - a question of "feel".

Did you try to contact any of those clubs in Michigan?

tripleblack

Good suggestions on joining a Mustang Club. It'd be cool to meet up with other Mustang people. My hope is that everyone would be pretty nice and accepting. And helpful! As u can tell I'm not trying to act like I know more than I do. My goal is to do everything I can to have my car run really smoothly, for a long time, but be really quick.

I took out the air filter tube. That was easy. However, i can't get the screw to reattach to the hood. i've tried everything. I don't get it. I unscrewed it . . . it should go back! the filter is a little loose but pretty stable. But maybe it would move around when I drive. I'm not sure what the problem would be though. I'll try again tonight.

Anyway I read you might get a few hp out of this or a little more acceleration. But that it's louder. I don't like loud noises, but I'm sure I can handle a little more rumble.

My bro in law had a Fiero which he loved. I think that thing musta weighed about 10 pounds! Where is Coldwater anyway? I live in Novi.

 

[Fiat Freak]

Generally, if you are honest and open, others will be with you too. Any decent car club is interested in self-perpetuation; so, new members are almost always welcome.

And, if you haven't discovered it yet, most people (especially guys) really enjoy it when you ask them a question about something they have knowledge in. Everyone seems to like to show off a little.

The car clubs I belong to are full of genuine, sincere people. They recognize that when they came to the club, they knew a whole lot less than they do now, and will treat you right.

Coldwater is south of Battle Creek near the Indiana border.