Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. 1. Dynamometer numbers; What do they mean?
  2. 2. How Can I become a distributor/dealer Spectre Performance Products?
  3. 3. When was Spectre started?
  4. 4. How often should I clean & re-oil my HPR filter?
  5. 5. Will the plenums fit my carburetor?
  6. 6. Why do the elbows have welds?
  7. 7. I have installed a custom intake and now my engine light comes on. What is the problem?
  8. 8. How do I design a modular intake to fit my car?
  9. 9. How do I tell what version my intake kit is?
  10. 10. Is my intake C.A.R.B. exempt?
  11. 11. How do I get a replacement C.A.R.B. Exemption Decal?
  1. Dynamometer numbers; What do they mean?
    We have several in-house dynomometers that we use to measure power. It is important to know that dyno numbers are relative, and should be used as a reference or as an indicator.
  2. How Can I become a distributor/dealer Spectre Performance Products?
    Contact us for details.
  3. When was Spectre started?
    Spectre was started in 1983.
  4. How often should I clean & re-oil my Spectre air filter?
    Maintaining a clean filter is a key element in getting the most out of your filter. We recommend that you inspect your filter during all of your manufacturers scheduled maintenances for your vehicle or every 7,000 miles. Driving conditions play a key factor in maintaining a clean filter. If you live in a dusty or harsh environment then we recommend that you service your filter more frequently. If there are any portions of the screen that are not visible (covered by dust or dirt), then you need to clean the filter with our Accu-Charge Kit. Although the filter is capable of much longer service intervals, for best performance, we would recommend that you never exceed 25,000 miles of driving without servicing the filter.
  5. Will the plenums fit my carburetor?
    All of the plenums and air boxes are designed to fit standard carburetors. To determine if it will fit yours you can measure the neck of the carburetor and if it measures 5-1/8 inches the plenums or air boxes will fit. If you are already using a Spectre air cleaner without an adapter they will fit. Also, if your carburetor neck measures 2-3/8 inches use adapter part number 4952 or if your carburetor neck is 3-1/16 inches use adapter part number 4953.
  6. Why do the elbows have welds?
    Welded elbows allow the bend to be made in a smaller radius (tighter bends) which in small quarters can be important. If you prefer mandrel bent elbows these are now available.
  7. I have installed a custom intake and now my engine light comes on. What is the problem?
    The MAF sensor was designed to detect the airflow as it passes through the original diameter inlet. Now that you have a larger intake the MAF sensor is triggering the engine light. To resolve the problem you may have to install a MAFS calibration kit (3 inch dia. P/N 9405 or 4 inch dia. P/N 9705) This allows you to select an insert that is appropriate for your MAF sensor and will adjust the internal diameter to prevent the engine light problem.
  8. How do I design a modular intake to fit my car?
    The modular nature of the program means you can design the system to fit practically any car. First you need to decide the diameter tubing that is appropriate for your car. Large vehicles or large volume engines require more air and a 4 inch dia. intake is appropriate. Smaller cars or vehicles with limited room in the engine compartment may require a smaller intake. Next decide what method for routing the air is appropriate, do you have room for an airbox? Is a plenum a better choice. Next decide where the air is going to be coming from. Can you bring air from outside the engine compartment? Is there a place under the hood that you can get cooler air? After you have an idea of the requirements for your system, take a look at the available tubes and couplers on our website. Then you just need to decide from the available options how to connect the air into your engine. Specific questions can be addressed by emailing our Tech Department - [email protected].
  9. How do I tell what version my intake kit is?
    We have recently revised several of our intake kits. If you need help with installation, or need replacement parts, here’s how to identify whether you have a Version 1 kit or a Version 2 kit:

    P/N 9908: Version 1 kits have have a straight coupler on the throttle body with a "J" shaped tube. Version 2 kits have a 90° coupler on the throttle body and a straight tube.
    P/N 9909: Version 1 kits have have a straight coupler on the throttle body with a 2-piece intake tube. Version 2 kits have a 90° coupler on the throttle body and a single-piece intake tube.
    P/N 9910: Version 1 kits have a 2-piece intake tube. Version 2 kits have a single-piece intake tube.
    P/N 9918: Version 1 kits have a 2-piece intake tube. Version 2 kits have a single-piece intake tube.
    P/N 9920: Version 1 kits have a 2-piece intake tube. Version 2 kits have a single-piece intake tube.
    P/N 9922: Version 1 kits have a bracket welded onto the tube and use a rubber vibration mount. Version 2 kits do not have any brackets welded to the tube.
    P/N 9925: Version 1 kits have a bracket welded onto the tube (near the MAFS mount) and use a rubber vibration mount. Version 2 kits do not have any brackets welded to the tube.
    P/N 9932: Version 1 kits have a bracket welded onto the tube and use a rubber vibration mount. Version 2 kits do not have any brackets welded to the tube.
    P/N 9935: Version 1 kits have a 2-piece intake tube and the filter is located behind the bumper. Version 2 kits have a single piece intake tube with the filter located under the hood.
    P/N 9960: Version 1 kits have a bracket welded onto the tube and use a rubber vibration mount. Version 2 kits do not have any brackets welded to the tube.
    P/N 9962: Version 1 kits use a filter with a 3" I.D. flange, attached directly to the tube. Version 2 kits use a filter with a 6" I.D. flange attached to a velocity funnel.
  10. Is my intake C.A.R.B. exempt?
    In order for an intake to be considered for a C.A.R.B. exemption, it must have been submitted to the California Air Resources Board for evaluation. It must be a complete kit, with everything needed to install it included in the box. It must have provisions to connect all emission control devices so that they function as they did with the factory intake. Lastly, it must be tested on a vehicle to show that it doesn't alter the emission output of the vehicle.

    Most of the vehicle-specific kits we offer currently have a C.A.R.B. exemption, or have been submitted to C.A.R.B. for evaluation. The website shows which kits are exempt. Also, you can visit the California Air Resources Board website showing our current intake kit exemptions.

    If your vehicle has a custom intake that was created using our modular components, although it may run great & increase performance, it will not be C.A.R.B. exempt even if you connect all emission control devices. If you live in an area that requires a smog inspection, such an intake will fail the visual inspection portion of the test. In order to pass, the stock intake must be reinstalled.
  11. How do I get a replacement C.A.R.B. Exemption Decal?
    If you have purchased an intake kit, for which we have a C.A.R.B. exemption (see previous FAQ), and need a replacement decal, the following information will be required in order to comply with C.A.R.B. regulations:

    1) Name & mailing address
    2) Vehicle - Year, Make, Model, and engine
    3) A copy of the purchase receipt for the intake kit (or a picture of the kit installed on the vehicle)
    4) A copy of the vehicle registration

    Before we can send a replacement decal, we must verify that the kit was made by Spectre, that it is C.A.R.B. exempt, and that it is on a vehicle for which the exemption applies. If you do not have the purchase receipt, you can send us a picture of the intake kit installed on the vehicle. Please note that replacement C.A.R.B. decals can only be sent to the vehicle owner at the address listed on the registration. If the address on the registration isn't current, please include a copy of a utility bill (or similar document) that verifies the current address of the vehicle owner. To get started go to our Replacement CARB Decal Form.

    This information can be sent via email to [email protected] or by U.S. Mail to our contact address.