As an insurance adjuster, I get a chance to see vehicles taken apart for repairs. Last week (before we went down) I passed by a FX35 with its front bumper cover removed. At this point, I noticed there is a rubber baffle that runs vertically next to the driver side lower frame rail. It is this rubber baffle that blocks airflow from the upper and lower grill to enter the apron area underneath our CAI.
Here is how to perform the "minor surgery":
1) Remove the upper grill clips. Remove by prying the 4 compression clips. To remove clips, you will need to pry out the "center stem" on the clip body, and then pry out the clip body. Do not remove grill at this point.
2) Remove the upper clips that attach the front bumper cover. These 2 clips are located on each side of the grill. Use the same method as outlined in Step #1.
3) Remove Grill. With the upper grill clips and upper bumper cover clips removed, gently pull the grill assembly forward. As you look behind the grill, you will notice it is attached by 4 compression clips. Use a plier or your fingers to squeeze the clip and gently pry the grill forward towards you. Do this for all four clips and pull the grill off.
4) At this point, pull the bumper cover on the left side next to the driver side headlamp and you will see the rubber baffle I am talking about. Look at the picture I have enclosed with the 2 red circles I have drawn. This is the rubber baffle. It is actually 1 piece. I do not have any more pictures at this point.
5) To remove baffle, use a sharp utility knife or X-Acto blade and cut the rubber baffle piece. Cut the rubber piece along the frame rail and pull the upper piece from the top and the bottom piece from the lower grill opening.
6) Removing the stock airbox lower resonator is optional for non-Injen CAI (alrady removed to install Injen) to further improve airflow.
With the rubber baffle removed. The vehicle, theoretically, should be getting air from the upper grill, but especially from from the lower grill when it is moving. I believe this procedure should really benefit the Injen since it sits low into the area we just opened up. Second up in terms of benefit should be the Stillen and JWT.
Here is how to perform the "minor surgery":
1) Remove the upper grill clips. Remove by prying the 4 compression clips. To remove clips, you will need to pry out the "center stem" on the clip body, and then pry out the clip body. Do not remove grill at this point.
2) Remove the upper clips that attach the front bumper cover. These 2 clips are located on each side of the grill. Use the same method as outlined in Step #1.
3) Remove Grill. With the upper grill clips and upper bumper cover clips removed, gently pull the grill assembly forward. As you look behind the grill, you will notice it is attached by 4 compression clips. Use a plier or your fingers to squeeze the clip and gently pry the grill forward towards you. Do this for all four clips and pull the grill off.
4) At this point, pull the bumper cover on the left side next to the driver side headlamp and you will see the rubber baffle I am talking about. Look at the picture I have enclosed with the 2 red circles I have drawn. This is the rubber baffle. It is actually 1 piece. I do not have any more pictures at this point.
5) To remove baffle, use a sharp utility knife or X-Acto blade and cut the rubber baffle piece. Cut the rubber piece along the frame rail and pull the upper piece from the top and the bottom piece from the lower grill opening.
6) Removing the stock airbox lower resonator is optional for non-Injen CAI (alrady removed to install Injen) to further improve airflow.
With the rubber baffle removed. The vehicle, theoretically, should be getting air from the upper grill, but especially from from the lower grill when it is moving. I believe this procedure should really benefit the Injen since it sits low into the area we just opened up. Second up in terms of benefit should be the Stillen and JWT.
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