I'm not expecting or looking for butt-pulling gains, but if the sound "enhances" the driving experience and it's a reliable, easily installed product, I'll put down a couple for it.

Just want your input.

 

honestly...
i like the sound, and don't regret getting it, but if you pay more than $250, i don't think it'll be worth it. i don't feel any gains over what i had before (the stock airbox with comptech filter). it'll probably be more useful if you got someone else's opinion, 'cause i know a lot of other people like it, but that's just my opinion.

 

I just installed it this weekend. I've only driven the car a few times since then. I have the following intial observations:

1. With the stock airbox, I was experiencing an annoying lag at starts that required me to "spool" up the engine to avoid stalling during "easy" starts. The AEM totally eliminates this problem. I can now let the clutch out very easily at low RPMs without risk of stalling. Also, much less accelerator lag at all RPMs (i.e., vastly improved throttle response).

SIMPLY PUT: The AEM does a beautiful job of refining the throttle at all revs, but esp. at low revs.

2. The engine feels "looser" than before. This is pretty much a good thing, as I don't feel like I'm fighting with the stock airbox inlet to keep the car from gasping at low revs anymore.

3. It's an easy install. Don't pay for that.

4. The sound is mild (almost the same as stock) at idle, slightly louder below VTEC, and screaming flatulence at WOT. It's a head turner! Not sure if I like that (more on this point below).

5. If you stomp the accelerator, there is a whoomping followed by the scream. The whoomping is cool.

6. I can't say for sure, but I feel like the high end (~8000rpm+) is flat -- i.e., not as much power on tap as before. There's a lot more noise, but not anymore power up there, and probably less than before. This is what I don't like. I feel a bit silly when I go WOT because there is an "all show, no go" aspect to the giant flatulent explosion of noise while the car just goes along as it normally would, maybe even a little slower than before. Anyone that knows me knows that I hate Harley Davidsons because they sound like a big old farting man, so I don't like my car to sound the same.

Overall: The silly noises and possible loss of very top end push is worth the vastly refined low end. The AEM is a good buy, esp. if you like the way the stock box sounds/feels with the top piece taken off, or if you are annoyed by the gasping and delayed throttle response at low end revs.

 

I don't think there's any loss of top end at all, and I love the sound over VTEC all the way up to redline. At the gathering of the mid-Atlantic group in Baltimore a few weeks ago, I was pulling steadily on cars behind me with the stock air box. That was proof enough for me that there are real gains with the AEM. I've also driven it nearly 100 miles in a major rainstorm, so I'm over any fear of water getting into the engine. In short, I'm very happy with it.

With all courtesy to Sunchild, I would not liken the sound to "flatulence"; it's more like a raspy roar. But I also have the Supersprint exhaust, and therein may lie the difference.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rick Hesel
[B]With all courtesy to Sunchild, I would not liken the sound to "flatulence"; it's more like a raspy roar.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sunchild
[B]I just installed it this weekend.

 

1) I like the sound at WOT and in VTEC. I have had AT LEAST 4 other S2000 owners mention how great it sounded.

2) I haven't noticed any high RPM power losses, and I drive aggressively at the track and on mountain roads. Yes, the sound makes you think you should have 300 hp at 8K rpms, but I think you still have the full 200hp.

My 2 cents,
Tanq

 

Mine only dynoed at 190hp..

 

anybody have legit before and after dyno runs with the AEM. not the ones that go....well I got 197hp stock and 194hp with the AEM but I think it's because it was a little warmer there was more humidity and the planets were not lined up correctly so the magnetic disturbances caused by the unbalanced solar system threw off the poles of the space time continueam and therefore my #2 sparkplug missfired every other revolution. I'm talking two dyno runs within an hour or two, or even like average dyno runs or even consistant 1/4 mile times. While I like the sound of the AEM I will not do anything to my baby that looses even 1/4 hp.

 

For the record, my comments were based on my impressions after knowing this car in its stock steady state for a year and a half. I say I lost a little push in the very last thousand RPMs, but I gained smoothness and power in the bottom. I know this better than any dyno could tell me. (It's true - don't flame this!)

Having said that, I might have screwed something up during the install. Also, I haven't cut out the fake bumper vents, which I expect makes a difference.

I'd like to see a good dyno, too.