So I have a GruppeM / Autoexe type carbon airbox. As you may know, the thing is huge. After removing my stock airbox, I discovered a huge radiator hose that prevents the airbox from sitting in the space. It looks to be about 1" - 1.5" too high, plus I don't think it's a good idea for the airbox to sit on the hot coolant hose. What are some options to give some space to this area? I have a koyo radiator. Or maybe I should just ditch the airbox altogether?

 

I just bought a car that has the same airbox and it rubs a little bit on the hood because fitment is tight.

I'd add a spacer to the radiator brackets to lower it some (push it away and down from the engine).

 

Its a very tight fit and was intended to be run with a stock radiator. From your picture it appears you have an aftermarket radiator which will be thicker and push everything up. Banzai Racing has a good write up here:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...-tips-1107155/

If you need to drop the radiator down more you can remove the factory lord mounts and trim the core support and rebar to allow the front of the radiator to angle down further.

 

Ah...it is a very nice airbox but I don't want to modify this much just to fit this piece. The car flows too much already anyway...oh well.

 

I just modified my mounts to fix this airbox. The lower mounts and brackets can stay where they are. That would be a big job since these mounts also hold the stabilizer bar.The stock radiator upper mount rubber-metal spacers need to go. These gone allow the radiator to drop about 1". The AC coil underneath has to be lowered. Just get 4 nylon spacers from Home Depot that are about 1/2 " for the lower bolts and 3/4 inch for the upper bolts and slightly longer M6 bolts and the coil drops nicely to fit the lowered Aftermarket radiator. About a 2 hour job ands fits well with no issues. Pretty easy once I figured out what to do.
Mike

 

I actually figured it out and did something even easier. I didn't see the thin metal brace holding the radiator pipe up high, so I bent that down and now the airbox fits. The thing is, the carbon fiber box rests right on the pipe (which has a sleeve) so I do worry about it in direct contact with so much heat.

And also the airbag sensor...I either need to grind down the bracket a lot or relocate it

 

I wouldn't worry too much. Carbon fiber has been used for intercooler piping and the heat from that would be intense you have to imagine. They use carbon fiber for engine parts all the time in high end cars.

If it bothers you that much, you could just apply heat reflective tape on the bottom of the air box.

 

oh yea, you're right. thanks!