Ok here are the parts before install...things of beauty, really.
Pic of engine bay minus intake cover showing stock system:
Hoses off, air box to come off. The hoses come right off, the airbox...not so much. The
instructions say to disconnect the negative battery cable. Where the **** is that and why? I
skipped that step. Dont know what they are talking about.
The airbox has a nipple on the bottom, and 2 nuts with 2 sided grommets/washers holding it in on the tops. None of them want to come loose, especially the grommets/washers. You gotta wiggle and yank them pretty good to get them out. Use moderate force. Here is a pic of the bottom nipple that goes thru the body, pull straight up to remove.
Everything out now:
New CAI box in. Wriggle it to make it settle in BELOW the level of the engine bay perimeter, it fits perfect once in:
Air tube and hoses now in:
Final install pic:
The installation instructions do not show an '12 install. It appears to be a '10-11 SS? My MAF sensor wire did not have enough wire to go under the tube. It fit perfect though on top. Make sure the small arrow on the MAF points TOWARDS the engine...its directional as stated in other threads. The cover needs to fit under the lip of the engine bay perimeter to look and fit correctly. I needed to reseat the airbox frame slightly to make this happen. The good thing is once its in correctly, everything fits perfect. If it doesnt, you don't have it aligned properly. The elbow on the vent line comes off and CAI provides a short straight piece for reconnecting it. 30-45 minutes TOPS for install. Very easy.
So....the drive. DEFINITELY more snap on throttle and power on the top end. Nice growl while first getting on the gas, then mellow, then above 4k you can really hear the intake honk. More top end for sure, seat of the pants about 10+ HP. 4k-6500 the car is sounding good. Fit is excellent, so is appearance. Very happy.