I found the following instructions in an earlier post:

"...the air filter can be changed easily .remove the smaller hose clamp and move the hose out of the channel that it sits in, unplug the sensor from the air box undo the larger hose clamp with the wing nut.wrestle the big air intake hose away then open the airbox where filter sleeps...dont be afraid to push and shove your way into here ...replace filter and make sure the box closes fully or the filter may not be seated into the box properly then replace the parts the way they came out, plug in the sensor[ it can only go 1 way and you will hear it click when it is plugged in properly]10 minutes..."

1) What is the name and purpose of the small plastic box attached to the larger intake hose (the one with the smaller hose clamp referenced above)? Some sort of "air reservoir"?

2) The smaller hose clamp appears to be a press fit - I don't see a way to easily disconnect and then reconnect it. Is this so? Do I cut it off and but a new one?

Once I figure out how this removes - everything else appears to be a snap...

I replaced my filter once before - it was a pain at that time - and naturally, I don't remember what exactly I did at the time...

I don't think you actually need to remove the smaller one. If you remove the larger clamp and fold the hose back, you should have easier access to the airbox.

At this point, remove the sensor. Once you do that, don't forget there are two latches facing the passenger side. Once you unhook those, just pull the airbox towards the passenger side and lift it out. You should see the air filter at this point.

To re-install, just follow the above steps in reverse.

As for the smaller hose clamp, I don't really know what that does. I had theorized that it stores some of the air before entering the throttle body, perhaps to try and warm some of it first. Maybe that's what its used for. I think some of the other more knowledgable members may be able to help on this one.

HL

I also have a '96...getting the intake hose and top of the box off only took a few minutes..the hardest part was getting out the bottom half of the airbox to remove the fender inlet...mine had one bolt on the engine side and what appeared to be a pin on the radiator side...either way I had to take a screw driver and wedge it under the air box and fender and pop it off this pin...as stiff as the intake hose is and still having one bolt in the bottom I didn't bother trying to get the airbox back on that pin...The airbox is still in there solid...this is a great "FREE" mod.

I would love to know what that second box thing is beside that attached to the intake tube

http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v91/wallacej/AUT_0003.jpg

http://img30.photobucket.com/albums/v91/wallacej/AUT_0006.jpg

sound resonator, these cars are luxury so they were quiet..lol, not anymore.

I notice that in Jim's picture there is an extra hose coming from the coolant overflow tank (I wondered why the "resonator" had a clip on the end). What's the hose for and why don't I need one?

The hose goes into the upper part of the radiator just under the big black shield that goes all the way across the front. The hose is stiff enough to go without the clip in the resonator though, no big deal.

kev's right, it's a resonator. Take it off, plug the hole with a 2" PVC pipe cap and you're ready for MORE POWER. If you're really adventurous, remove the bottom of the airbox from the car, and take out the resonator below (and then, of course, re-attaching the bottom of the airbox to the car, leaving the hole). If that's not enough, take a Dremel to the two plastic plugs holding the off-white insert into the airbox top, and put a K & N filter in. You'll enjoy the additional power and the loud "VAROOOOMMMMMM" when you put your foot into it...

--Robert

Thats my next project after the new tires and rims go on...:D

then its onto the enlarged TB.

Thanks for the info guys!