The Injen RD1550BLK is a black RD Series cold air intake for the 1996-1998 Honda Civic EX, EL, and HX with the 1.6L four-cylinder. Its intake tube is mandrel-bent 6061-T6 aluminum, which the manufacturer describes as a smooth, unrestricted air path. Air is filtered by a serviceable Injen SuperNano-Web dry filter. This listing is the Canada special-order version of the kit. Its main draw over a stock airbox is a documented power gain that needs no tuner, so the car's air-fuel ratios stay in range after a bolt-on install. The kit also carries an Injen limited lifetime warranty and CARB EO number D-476-3. Owners searching for a 96-98 Civic EX cold air intake, a 1.6 D-series intake upgrade, or a CARB-compliant Civic CAI will find those specifics confirmed here.
Installation is generally a driveway job for a home mechanic. User forums on these Civics describe removing the stock airbox and resonator, then pulling the front passenger tire and splash guard to reach the lower intake section. Many report it takes about an hour. Disconnect the battery's negative terminal first, and check every clamp and sensor connection afterward. Details vary between owners, so confirm the procedure against the manufacturer's instruction sheet before you start.
The manufacturer states the intake provides power gains while maintaining A/F ratios with no additional tuning, and it is designed to drop in without an expensive tune.
The manufacturer lists a hydroshield as an optional add-on, available in black (1033BLK) or red (1033RED). It functions as a water shield and prefilter for the intake.
The kit uses a fully serviceable Injen SuperNano-Web dry filter. The manufacturer lists replacement filter part number X-1012-BB.
Plan on a few hours with basic hand tools. User forums on 96-98 Civics report pulling the stock airbox and resonator, then removing the front passenger tire and splash guard to reach the lower section of the intake. Disconnect the battery's negative terminal before you begin. Reconnect the sensors, check every clamp, and recheck the hose connections after your first few drives. Procedures vary by owner, so verify the steps against the manufacturer's instructions.
