1.5T PRL stage 1 install

Micah · Jul 25, 2018

PRL Motorsports said:
There always seems to be quite a bit of talk about hydrolock, but there's never really anyone who comes forward with a current horror story. Yes, there is usually a risk of hydrolock with a CAI. However, the risk on newer cars is MUCH lower than in comparison to older cars, especially when considering our Cobra CAI. Newer cars like the 10th Gen Civic are equipped with much more under shielding and splash guards, protecting engine components like never before. Also keep in mind that the Cobra CAI was designed to reduce the risk of hydrolock even more. The filter location, though lower than stock, is rather high from the ground for a CAI. The Cobra's large 4" diameter/continuous volume design means that a large amount of water is required to hydrolock. Vehicles would need to be submerged in quite a bit of water (the entire front end of the car) for quite a bit of time at WOT to suck water numerous feet through the large Cobra CAI, turbocharger, intercooler, charge piping and then into the throttle body to hydrolock. We are located in SWPA, where there is heavy precipitation 75% of the year and have never had and issue.

https://www.civicx.com/threads/victim-of-a-flooded-street-your-thoughts.25702/

Cobra CAI hydrolock story in thread above, happened less than a month ago. Downplaying it as rare is fair, but saying nobody comes forward.... when it literally was posted less than 30 days ago ...... not cool

I watched a coworker attempt driving through a puddle with a Nissan SE-R equipped with a CAI and he hydrolocked and destroyed his engine. I told him not to try it, but the parking lot had flooded at both ends, and everyone was essentially trapped.

FWIW - I do eventually intend to buy the PRL CAI, but for now, I'll use the "stage 1" with a drop in dry filter since the combo cost me $20 used from a friend

BoostedDreams · Jul 25, 2018

I was unable to install that short prl breather hose that was included without kinking it. It is a bit too long so I left the stock one on.

luispe7 · Aug 12, 2018

Micah said:
https://www.civicx.com/threads/victim-of-a-flooded-street-your-thoughts.25702/

Cobra CAI hydrolock story in thread above, happened less than a month ago. Downplaying it as rare is fair, but saying nobody comes forward.... when it literally was posted less than 30 days ago ...... not cool

I watched a coworker attempt driving through a puddle with a Nissan SE-R equipped with a CAI and he hydrolocked and destroyed his engine. I told him not to try it, but the parking lot had flooded at both ends, and everyone was essentially trapped.

FWIW - I do eventually intend to buy the PRL CAI, but for now, I'll use the "stage 1" with a drop in dry filter since the combo cost me $20 used from a friend

so what happens when I need to change this filter, do i just wash it? is it washable?

Micah · Aug 12, 2018

luispe7 said:
so what happens when I need to change this filter, do i just wash it? is it washable?

Which filter?

luispe7 · Aug 12, 2018

Micah said:
Which filter?

the stage 1

Micah · Aug 12, 2018

If you get the filter from them it is washable. Call them and ask but I would imagine the usual spray bottles from k&n can be used to clean and oil....

charleswrivers · Aug 12, 2018

Micah said:
If you get the filter from them it is washable. Call them and ask but I would imagine the usual spray bottles from k&n can be used to clean and oil....

I did ask awhile back after getting it... and was told that the filters should be using the green brand cleaner/spray which has different colors representing the right oil for that specific filter(it matches the filter... mine was blue, as I recall). I already have K&N oil I use for my K&N drop ins and my Stillen cones on my other cars. I never got an answer as to what the difference was. I sure have a lot of K&N oil... but I may very well get the branded product. I don't see how different filters could need different oils if they all look to be cotton gauze or whatever... but I'm no filter guy.

I do have different filter oil for my Uni-filter on the go-kart... but it's not cotton gauze... it's a foam. That stuff is super thick and sticky.

Julioext · Feb 24, 2019

Micah said:
Recently added the PRL stage 1 intake pipe (sans breather) and a dry drop in filter. Can verify throttle response seems a bit improved, and there is a slight "huff" type noise when coming out of boost

Would the huff sound better if i have a magnaflow exhaust?

Micah · Feb 25, 2019

Julioext said:
Would the huff sound better if i have a magnaflow exhaust?

Doubt it.

charleswrivers · Aug 23, 2019

Just a thing I noticed about these from a sales page and my own when I got it... some of these are not shipping oiled apparently. There's one for sale right now that's clean as a whistle stated it had 5k miles. You can see on the PRL product page they show it as oiled (blue).

If they ship clear, they're dry... and they wouldn't be very effective. I hadn't really thought about until I saw that classified as of a whitish colored one. I don't know... maybe the guy had cleaned it prior to posting and didn't reoil it. Mine was definitely dry and had to buy the charging kit to make it right.

Bullet_127 · Jan 10, 2020

I just purchased the Stage 1, when the time comes...what should I use to clean the filter?

PRL Motorsports · Jan 13, 2020

Here's some info from our install guides regarding maintenance on all of our filters.

Maintenance:
PRL Motorsports recommends visually inspecting the air filter for screen visibility at every oil change and requires cleaning the air filter element whenever the screen is no longer visible or every 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. When used in dusty or off-road environments, filters will require cleaning more frequently. To clean and re-oil, our #2801 filter cleaning & recharge kits can be purchased on our site or through an authorized PRL Motorsports vendor.

Filter Recharging:

1. Pre-Cleaning: Tap the filter or blow with air to remove excess dirt.

2. Apply Cleaner: Spray the filter with cleaner kit and allow the solution to soak in for about 15 minutes.

3. Rinse: Rinse the filter with warm water, clean side to dirty side to flush out the dirt.

4. Drying: Allow the filter to dry naturally. Try to avoid heat to avoid shrinking the cotton.

5. Apply Oil: Re-Oil the filter using the filter oil by using 1 spray per 2 square inches of filter. Be sure to not over-oil filter

ayayron212 · Apr 3, 2020

gtman said:
With the insane amount of rain and flash flood warnings we're getting daily on the East Coast, a CAI is a scary thought right now. I'm happy with my PRL silicone intake hose/AEM Dryflow combo.

can i ask why you chose to not use the PRL green cotton panel filter that comes provided with the stage 1 ? i am just about to fit this today and i am in two minds of wether to order an AEM dryflow like yourself or use this filter. also does anyone know if it is okay to still use the stock filter with this set up for when the prl one needs to be taken out and cleaned?

1.5T PRL stage 1 install

Micah

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BoostedDreams

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luispe7

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Micah

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luispe7

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Micah

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charleswrivers

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Julioext

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Micah

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charleswrivers

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Bullet_127

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PRL Motorsports

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ayayron212

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