So I'm an idiot.. I ordered the high flow air intake with absolutely no clue as to how the hell to change out the air filter. Criminey, I haven't even SEEN the engine bay yet.

Is the air filter something that is easilly accessible via the instructions provided in the owner's manual? (opening the top half way, popping a few things loose, voila, a motor appears)

Thx.

 

First, I might question the plan to replace the stock filter. There have been previous posts showing that you will probably increase the amount of particles entering your engine with an oiled filter, and this may also lead to problems with MAF sensor. There has been no documentation that shows increase in HP or torque.

That being said, the process to change the filter is slightly more difficult in the 987 vs. 986. I have recently changed the filter, to a new stock filter (car with 20,000 mi)

Steps as follows:
1. Open the top about half way..(there are instructions and diagrams in your owners manual)
2. Remove the fabric skirt from the 2 plastic clips at the rear, just push down gently.
3. Pop off the 2 cables on either side under the rear woindow by pushing them inwards, if the angle is correct, it does not require much force.
4. Use the elastic band that is attached under the clamshell to hold the rear window up. (see your manual)
5 If you have a rear speaker compartment, twist 2 plastic hold down screws, (1/4 turn). Feel under the passenger side of the speaker box and open the small cut out in the carpet (clip on front of cut out) on the box, disconnect the wires by using fionger tips pressing on both sides of the wire end of the plug (this is a small place to get your fingers in, but be persistent). Remove the speaker compartment.
6. Undo the other hold downs on the carpet and remove carpet.
7. You will now see the metal engine cover, remove the five #6? torx head screws.
8. Remove the cover.
9. You will now see the engine compartment, the air filter box is closest to you on the driver side. Remove 2 small Phillips head screws in the cover. Gently pull the cover up and off. You will then see the airfilter.
10. Remove one Phillips head screw holding a bracket that suspends the front of the filter.
11. Hold the filter, push and jiggle it in a forward direction, it will come off of the rear side of the air box. It then does not look like it is small enough to fit through the opening. If you gently maneuver it, it will come out without damaging anything.
12. The plastic bracket on the front of the filter (closed end) must be removed and used on the replacemnt. Once you see it out of the car, it will be obvious how to remove it.
13 Reverse all steps and reassemble. In replacing the filter, I found that it helped to have a ribbon around it to support the rear end as you use your right hand to push it back into the hole in the airbox. This is them most difficult part, if the angle is not perfect, it will not seat in the hole.

While you are in the engine compartment, check your power steering fluid.

This project--the first time could take 2 hours--once you know what you are doing, about 30 minutes.

 

fwiw, this is the non-oiled filter released by EVO Motorsports (who is, coincidentally, still working on instructions)

mborkin I'll follow the directions and if I remember take either video or photos and post it on renntech and/or here. thanks!