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This is a really simple way to make your Elise engine sound like it should. Don't be fooled by a garage making you feel this is not a job for the reluctant 'spanner-man'!

I'll take you through the fitting sequence step-by-step ... follow these and you'll be fine.

What you need:

K&N 57i Kit Part Number 57-0252 (available from Kinnor Services at £61.33 inclusive of VAT and P&P);
Flat blade (large) screwdriver;
10mm spanner;
Cutters (to cut cable tie);
Long-nose pliers;
Ruler or tape measure (for measuring 10cm);
An area away from the car for removed components (I'll call this the 'not needed area');
About one and a half hours time.

OK, so what's 'in the box' ?

1 x Clamp-On Filter

1 x Rubber Intake Hose

1 x Metal Intake Tube

3 x #44 Hose Clip

1 x Long Cable Tie

1 x Instruction Sheet

1 x Instruction Pack :

1 x Filter Maintenance Sheet

1 x K&N Window Sticker

1 x Million Mile Warranty

1 x Leaflet

Step 1: Familiarise Yourself with the Working Area

On the left you can see the standard air filter housing. This is connected to the throttle air intake (lower right) via the large rubber hose.

We will remove the standard air filter housing and the hose in the steps that follow.

Step 2: Remove the Throttle Air Intake Hose

Remove the metal clip clamping the large rubber hose to the throttle air intake.

This is done by using a screwdriver to lift the retaining clip end so that it unfastens and springs apart.

Put the clip in the 'not needed area' and ease the hose off the throttle body.

Step 3: Unclip the Air Filter Housing Lid

There are four fasteners securing the standard air filter housing lid to the housing body.

On the left picture you can see the two fasteners closest to the coolant expansion tank, whilst the right picture shows the other two near the luggage bin.

To release a fastener lift the lower part of the spring clip up towards you, releasing the fastener tension and allowing the lid to become free. Note that the clips nearest the luggage bin are difficult to get at, I used the screwdriver to release the left-hand one of the pair.

Remove the air filter housing lid complete with the large rubber hose and put in the 'not needed area'.

Step 4: Remove the Air Filter

Remove the existing air filter from the filter housing and put in the 'not needed area'.

Looking into the empty housing you can see the location of the housing mounts, one being a nut flush with the inside of the casing (housing top centre), the other a plastic fastener (housing top left). We'll deal with these next.

Step 5: Remove the Air Filter Housing

Unscrew the housing retaining bolt from the nut (right picture) using the 10mm spanner. You probably won't be able to remove the bolt completely yet (due to an obstruction in the way), so leave it loosely in place for now.

Release the plastic fastener (left picture) from the air filter housing using the long-nose pliers (pinch the plastic tabs together and push the fastener inwards).

You can now remove the air filter housing away from its mounting bracket. Do this so that you can get to the air hose entering the right-hand side of the housing...

Step 6: Remove the Air Hose from the Air Filter Housing

Using the cutters break the cable tie clamping the cold air intake hose onto the air filter housing inlet pipe.

Slide the hose off and you can now put the air filter housing in the 'not needed area'.

Step 7: Remove the Housing Mount Bolt and Fastener

To remove the housing mounting bolt loosen the bolt on the top right-hand side of the mounting plate (left picture). Pull the mounting plate forward and carefully remove the housing mounting bolt together with its washer and sleeve. Put these in the 'not needed area'. Tighten the mounting plate bolt.

Remember the plastic fastener? If (like it did with me) this fell behind the mounting plate now is the time to retrieve it and put it in the 'not needed area'.

Congratulations! You've completed the removal of the old air filter phase (go and have a cuppa)!

Step 8: Assemble the K&N Filter and Intake Hose

Fit the metal tube into the filter up to the step in the filter base. Don't push it in beyond here as this will affect air flow (and is wrong anyway!). Tighten the clip until the filter just turns (left picture).

Now push the intake hose onto the exposed metal tube coming from the filter. Tighten a clip here to retain the hose.

Step 9: Fit the K&N onto the Throttle Body

Fit the filter and hose assembly to the throttle body. Slip the remaining metal clip over the intake hose first, then align the notch in the intake pipe with the throttle stop body (see photo).

Move the clip to the end of the hose, align the filter so that its end is towards the cockpit, and clamp the hose to the throttle body.

Step 10: Cold Air Intake Hose

Position the original cold air intake hose 10cm (4") (no nearer) from the new K&N Air Filter and secure the hose to the support bracket using the long plastic tie supplied. Note that it is important that the hose is pointing at the filter to ensure a constant supply of cold air.

I rerouted the hose for best effect. Cut off excess tie.

Step 11: Remove all Tools and Unused Parts

Check that your 'not needed area' contains the parts pictured left. Air filter, air filter housing, air filter housing top with rubber hose, metal clip, plastic clip (cut), plastic fastener, housing retaining screw with washer and sleeve. Pack these away should you ever want to return your Elise to 'factory' build.

Remove all tools that you've used from the car and take a final check that all is secure.

Your Elise will look like this ...

Step 12: Test and Smile!

Your work is over! The pictures above should be very familiar to you if you followed my simple guide.

Start the car up, you won't hear much difference except for the air being sucked into the throttle when you blip the accelerator. BUT ... take the car out and hear that engine breathe! Wow ... now that was worth all the effort!

Smile at a job well done!