Aem, Really Better?

[ovcrash]

Hi,
I would like to know why everyone is telling to get a AEM CAI? what is the difference between AEM CAI and any other CAI, beside the AEM sticker on the pipe?? What's the real difference?
Why should i spend 185$ on AEM CAI, when i can get a CAI for like 50$?

 

[dohcvtec_accord]

The difference is a bunch of money that you needlessly spent and the horsepower-giving AEM sticker.

Seriously, if you want to spend your money, make sure you invest in a good filter and not some Autozone/Pepboys special. The pipe isn't going to matter.

 

[ovcrash]

Good! just wanted to be sure that it wasn't only me think that.
But what is considered a good filter? K&N?

 

[liquid00meth]

K&N.


AEM has alot of research behind their system, and it is very high quality. They have been proven to be better than other systems. Up to you though.

 

[sportlinecrx]

AEM, Injen, and other top brands use K&N filters. you are basically paying for a $35 filter and a $200 piece of aluminum pipe.

and also moving this to General Tech forum

 

[dohcvtec_accord]

Originally posted by rixXxceboy@May 1 2003, 01:59 PM
$200 piece of aluminum pipe.

Even if AEM has countless hours of research on how good their $200 aluminum pipe is, how much can it really affect performance?

K&N filter is the way to go.

 

[brian11to1]

So it's the filter and not the pipe size that matters? Or does hte size and filter matter? if it's the filter thats the important part tehn which one shoud I buy when I purchase my CAI

 

[rsaeini]

on epoint i think everyone overlooked was the fact that AEM's have a CARB sticker on them, it crucial for getting your car smogged in california.
if i was going to get a cai right now i would look at AEM's V2. do some research on it and you'll see that it's probably the best on the market right now.

 

[sportlinecrx]

Originally posted by rsaeini@May 2 2003, 02:08 PM
one point i think everyone overlooked was the fact that AEM's have a CARB sticker on them, it crucial for getting your car smogged in california.

i forgot about that. Injen is also CARB legal. buying the K&N filter alone won't give you a CARB number.

 

[NewAgeCivicz]

AEM is the best CAI, its not just the filter (it does play a big part). But its the material (less weight, i have a injen CAI and my girl has a AEM CAI, hers is alot lighter, and the design provides the most direct route to the IM.

 

[rsaeini]

Originally posted by rixXxceboy+May 2 2003, 11:22 AM-->

rsaeini

@May 2 2003, 02:08 PM
one point i think everyone overlooked was the fact that AEM's have a CARB sticker on them, it crucial for getting your car smogged in california.

i forgot about that. Injen is also CARB legal. buying the K&N filter alone won't give you a CARB number.

well, you can always just get a K&N drop in filter for your stock airbox. i don't know what kind of performance gains you'll get but it'll still keep your engine's stock look and you won't have to worry about any CARB stickers...

 

[rsaeini]

Originally posted by NewAgeCivicz@May 2 2003, 11:26 AM
AEM is the best CAI, its not just the filter (it does play a big part). But its the material (less weight, i have a injen CAI and my girl has a AEM CAI, hers is alot lighter, and the design provides the most direct route to the IM.

they use a special coating on the pipe that resists heat, that's one of the reasons it works a little bit better. but it's still hella expensive. IMO, it's not worht spending $200 on the AEM, for that much money i can have a skunk2 or ITR intake manifold or i can have my TB ported.

 

[asmallsol]

but the metal/paint combo they use is still crap. I like the Iceman Intake alot more because it is a high temp resistant plastic and does not conduct heat like the AEM piping.

 

[rsaeini]

Originally posted by asmallsol@May 2 2003, 12:15 PM
I like the Iceman Intake alot more because it is a high temp resistant plastic and does not conduct heat like the AEM piping.

i completely forgot about the iceman.

 

[Gen2Teg]

AEM CAI also uses the most direct piping to the intake manifold with the least curves. They had a big ol' article about CAI's in last months Import Tuner. The AEM CAI gave the biggest HP on the car they were testing, RSX Type S. It pulled out 20hp from the car. The drop in K&N filter was -0.1HP so i wouldn't recomend that....

 

[rsaeini]

Originally posted by Gen2Teg@May 2 2003, 12:51 PM
AEM CAI also uses the most direct piping to the intake manifold with the least curves. They had a big ol' article about CAI's in last months Import Tuner. The AEM CAI gave the biggest HP on the car they were testing, RSX Type S. It pulled out 20hp from the car. The drop in K&N filter was -0.1HP so i wouldn't recomend that....

i'm not doubting you but a simple intake is not gonna ad an extra 20hp, especially at the wheels. i'm pretty sure they added a few more parts and some tunning to get that much power.

 

[lsvtec]

Import Tuner usually does. I never trust any of their dynos.

 

[Prowler]

Honda Tuning said ~18hp on the RSX-S.

That must be one restrictive stock intake.