I am considering purchasing a CAI for my '03 S2000. This would be the first mod to my otherwise stock motor.

I know HP gains are no more than 10HP.

What do you guys think is the best sounding CAI out there?

What do you think is the best performing CAI out there?

What do you think is the best value for the price you pay?

Thanks for the help on this one; hopefully I'll decide in the coming weeks which one to go with. I was thinking comptech (best Dyno graphs I've seen) or AEM V2 but possibly Injen and others would be considerations. I am looking to keep price below $500.

Thanks!

 

most go with injen cai its good
personally the technology behind aem v2 appeals to me
so subjectively i would recommend aem v2 (hear it has a nice sound to it too)
but objectively any injen cai is a very popular choice

 

I'm not sure which to recommend as this is a question I am researching...but don't expect more than a 5hp gain from an intake, and even 5hp would be given from the divine...definitly not close to 10hp gain

 

If you want to admit cooler air and improve appearance you might consider a cooling plate. There is a group buy going on for them. There is most likely no HP gain.

 

I'm pretty sure the comptech sees close to 10HP at the peak of the dyno curve...but I'm a realist and I'm not really as concerned with HP gains as I am sound, quality, ease of install etc. I figure 5-10HP is the range of what I've seen and thats so minute that it really isn't going to impact thing that much however I'd still like the best bang for my buck...

s2m22: Why do you objectively say injen aside from others having it installed in the s2k community? Honestly AEM seems more common from the posts I've seen but Injen definately seems quality...I'd just like to hear your reasons supporting Injen and AEM for that matter...

 

I got an AEM V1 and i love it, just dont drive through any puddles

 

god:

Waterlocking problems? I hear that you shouldn't have issues with waterlocking unless you completely submerge the filter in water...any truth to this?

 

100% True, I"ve driven in some heavy ass rain, w/o any problems. Alot of people claim the most dangerous thing is letting the car sit in heavy rain they believe water builds up on the filter, but also ive had my car in some heavy rain parking and once again not a single problem... So basically yeah as long as you dont go raging through 6" deep puddles your golden...

 

"s2m22: Why do you objectively say injen aside from others having it installed in the s2k community? Honestly AEM seems more common from the posts I've seen but Injen definately seems quality...I'd just like to hear your reasons supporting Injen and AEM for that matter... "

well i support injen because it seems it is a quality product and many people have proven it true. the v2 is not as widely spread but as i said early i like the whole deal with the sound wave compression technology behind it, which in reality simply seems to make a good aggresive sound. i think whichever you go with you will be happy.oo yea and the v2 you have to cut the fender thing so that might be something you consider. You have to cut the fenderwell linging because the v2 has a really thick tube.

 

I won't speak to which one is better, because I've only had one on there, I think they're all about the same honestly (or close enough)

But for value, see if you can find a used one in good shape. i got my AEM V1 for around $125-$150 (not sure exactly any more) from a member on the board, and he hand delivered it. It wasn't hard to install (I had the AEM instructrions and Macguyver's instructions) and I'm not terrbily mecahnically proficient...YET!