Cobb SF Air Box Challenges
 

Has anyone had any fitment issues with the Cobb SF Air box as it relates to getting the lid on? Mine has been such a PITA that I have been running it without the top, which defeats the reason I bought it.

The two issues I have had are the self-seating nuts on the inside of the box that fall out 99 of 100 times. I am thinking using an epoxy to hold them in for the future.

The other I have is the actual fitment of the lid. The only way I can get it on is to bend and bend the crap out of the top and lower pieces to get the holes to line up.

I don’t care that much, I just want it to be easier in the future to clean the filter.

There are people who have had issues with this I can't remember names or I would tag them. But yeah, you're not the first.

Tappin'

I think I might drill some new holes to make it easier. Despite everything it is still better than the CS cold box I tried.

$500 and your gonna drill holes. WTF. Shit should fit right and stroke you too. What's Cobb have to say?

Have not brought the concern up to Cobb, but I will tomorrow. I agree with you 100%

I misread the OP, I thought you were talking about cs, if it's Cobb and the money they charge. Then call them and make them make it right.

Tappin'

I have the same issues with my box. However, I did manage to get one nut in and it holds just fine. Its a super tight fit and the box actually rubs against the hood. So I have marks on the lid of the box now.

Pics of B.S.?

Somebody needs to do it. @Evan@COBB;

Sorry to hear that, but glad I am not the only lucky one. I think they did pretty good overall with the design. However, considering the lower box has very little adjustability, in other words, it sits where it sits, the fit could be a lot better.

I think the CS box lowered my standards enough to where I am going to just deal with the Cobbs shortcomings. As long as it is functional and doesn't break, I will be happy.

I will at least do that. Maybe they can fix the design which would help all of us.

I'm working on getting a thinner foam gasket that should help with lid fitment. Please email me any pictures you guys think would be helpful to address any problems you have.

Things fit great on all the cars I did test installs on but when in the wild, ya never know what's going to happen.

Send Em to Evan.Goldberg@cobbtuning.com

Thanks and don't hesitate to PM or email about any issues you guys have with our products.

I'm posting these pictures as an example of what is being seen, not to knock Cobb. When you get the box, the holes look like they align perfectly outside of car, but when you install it in the car, the holes shift. I'm guessing this is due to how it sits when installed. Getting the holes to align was not the real problem (just took a little persuading), keeping the nuts in place long enough to secure lid was.

Despite all this, the product performs as described. When cruising, my intake temps are about 4-5 degrees above ambient. Before it was more like a 30 degree difference. Also, despite spending an hour bending the box to try and get the bolts in, the box is still in perfect shape (great materials IMO).

I have had the same experience as @Shadowdragon006, minus the hood rubbing.
That said, I have been driving with the lid off since time of installation. Once I get some miles on it I will report back if it rubs with the hood. No I not lazy, I have just been traveling!

Judging from the pictures it looks like the Gen2 design was more challenging, so I am kind of surprised to hear people having fitment issues with Gen1.

Sorry but after spending 45 minutes yesterday to surgically get 3 of the 4 lid bolts in, I am not going to take it off to show pictures. Besides, a picture is not going to do it justice. Better to describe it.

I can tell you this much, the lower half of the box is pushed up against the fuse box, enough so that it is flexed in. I tried so hard to adjust the SF silicon portion to mitigate this, and then realized that I was an idiot.

The lower box is attached to the velocity stack/MAF portion, which is then attached to a metal bracket. The bracket is then attached to the two bolts under the battery.
This means there is really nothing to adjust. That is why I a little confused as to why we are not seeing a better fit in the field.

Guys, you should have a decent amount of adjustment in how the lower portion of the box sits.

1. How the SF Intake silicone elbow is rotated going into the turbo inlet hose.

2. The bracket that mounts to the two studs in front of the battery tray have slots in them, allowing the box to be tweaked forward and backward.

3. There is also some play where the bracket mounts on those studs. It is recommended to try to tighten down the bracket on those studs so that it is situated as far towards the center of the car as possible. If done correctly, you shouldn't have any problem clearing the fuse box.

I'm working with a supplier to figure out a better solution for the captured nuts. Them falling out is not acceptable.

Cheers,

Evan@COBB

Hi Evan,

I forgot about the adjustment in the bracket.

What I will not forget as easily was the amount of hours I spent, playing around with the different components, in an effort to create a small enough gap between the lower portion of the cold air box and the adjacent fuse box.

No matter how hard I tried they still made contact with each other. The contact is enough to create a decent amount of bowing in the lower box, which doesn’t help when trying to align the cover.

BTW, when I was installing, I kept everything loose.

The best solution might be a redesign of your metal bracket so that there is NO adjustment. By focusing 1st on the placment of the box within the engine compartment it would alleviate that adjustment variable.

The person installing would then only need to focus on adjusting the TIP and SF portions to mate with the stationary box.

What are your thoughts?

I installed this box flawlessly with little to no effort. Not trying to bash you OP. But as a suggestion, try getting all the bolts lined up before you start cranking them all down. When you put a bolt in, and crank it down tight immediately, it doesnt allow the box to move around to line up the other holes. The only thing that can interfere with your progress would be that stupid battery bracket the cobb sri maf housing attaches too. It can restrict alot of movement required to line shit up.

Just my .02

*Edit. I deal with bolts and shit that doesnt line up 24/7 on aircraft maintenance....Im no stranger to this shit.
So don't feel bad.

I had similar issues with my CS box however it can all be made just about perfect if you take the time to adjust EVERYTHING, even adjusting the TIP made a difference for me.

Could it be that the Gen1 design is a bit easier and more forgiving?

When I was installing mine, the only bolt that was tight was the TIP clamp to the turbo. Everything else was just flopping around.

Just to be clear, at one point I even removed the SF silicon the connects the MAF to the TIP, so that I could mount only the air box. With the 2x battery bracket nuts loose, and nothing else connected to the air box, it still pushes and bows against the fuse box.

Adjusting it side to side only increased the contact, and bowing. I remember calling Cobb that day and inquiring about it. They said something about it being a tight fit.

It is an EXTREMELY tight fit. Yes, my TIP rubs against a bunch of shit in there, so i wrapped the entire thing with F-4 tape to prevent chaffing. As far as bolts being loose and still pushing against the fuse box, I didnt have this problem . Keep in mind you do have a little play on the TIP to Turbo connection. You have to find the right balance of having enough of the TIP sealed on the turbo, and enough slack up front . That might be your issue, you could have it too far stuffed back there on the turbo itself, not giving you any slack up front.

If that makes any sense lol.

The general consensus for the airbox is that it doesn't fit and doesn't do shit.

Regardless of manufacturer.

It sucks to say, but proof is in the pudding. And, this forum has a lot of pudding.

BAHAHA That's totally what she said

I had to reread what I had typed, then I almost fell out of my chair laughing. I guess this is fitting.


Also, if that is what she said, I'd be a little worried.

I had very minor fitment issues. I had to widen/elongate one hole on the lid so the bolt could reach properly - otherwise it fit perfectly.

In the pic the arrows show the hole that I had problems reaching - I elongated the corresponding hole in the lid and I had no problems using every bolt. I've removed the lid several times and it's gone back on easily each time.

Sound like an easy solution that I will try with mine. Thanks for including the pictures. As a side, it's nice see that the lower box in yours is also pushed up against the fuse box.

Question, did you elongate the hole towards the outside or inside of the car? If its towards the outside then you have the exact same fit issue I do.

Did you ever get that thinner gasket? Im looking to get a box with my tax return.

I have a quote and need to place the purchase order. Hold on on ordering it for a couple of weeks if you can. If you can't wait, then I can send you a thinner gasket when they come in if you send me a PM to Evan@COBB

Awesome, thx

I think you guys wrote the book on how customer service is supposed to be handled. The right way.

Ordered this over the weekend, hope all issues are sorted