I think you will notice a big difference once you do open the brake ducts. I have the injen cai and i can totally feel teh car pulling harder all teh way up to redline. and the roar is simply amazing. the funny thing is, its really not easy to get it to be loud. you really have to be on it all the way or else its just minorly louder. and about the install being really easy, well, i removed my bumper to do it. its a lot easier to cut the plastic where the pipe needs to go. over all it is pretty easy to do, as long as you feel comfortable taking off the bumper.

 

PsychoBen put in an AEM several weeks back, and a group of us immediately went out to test. g-s2k and PsychoBen have run neck and neck several times in the past, so when PB started pulling on g, we were stunned and thrilled. The change in sound is, in my opinion, a nice change, but there is a noticable difference in power. We never paid much attention to what happens at the far ends of the RPM spectrum, but I'm impressed enough that I'll be putting one on come Spring.

 

It's my understanding that you can't accurately dyno-test a CAI. Dyno tests are typically performed with the hood open, so you're pulling ambient-temp air either way. I could see how a poorly engineered or poorly built intake would show a loss of power on the dyno due to constriction or bad bends in the pipe. I would guess that, short of 1/4 mile times - which depend on soooo many factors, especially with this car - the "proof" is going to be primarily anecdotal.

However, the AEM might benefit from some relative "ram-air" effect if the faux vent is cut out. As well, people have been addressing the "warm air from the radiator" effect in a number of ways (rad mat, fiberglass guide/seal, cf airbox feeds, etc). This is just one of those ways that doesn't continue to use the stock airbox AND adds an improvement in engine sound (tho that's subjective).

I'm also planning on picking this up. Looks nice, sounds nice and would seem to add power (unlike popping the airbox lid, tho it sounds cool too). More power, less weight? Marginal maybe on both counts, but short of FI what isn't a marginal increase with the F20C?

my 2 bits.

- Chris

 

I can always count on you guys -

I, too, have observed the lag at start. I really want to get rid of that. Also, hate to admit it, but I heard a Civic Si with a CAI and it sounded great. Sounded tuned which is something I'm looking for.

How was the install? I remember seeing Phantom's post with pictures and there seems to be some cutting involved. Was it difficult to do? If I remove the brake duct and I drive in the rain, wouldn't the filter get dirty really quick?

As a side note, comparing prices among sponsors, Ben @ BulletproofAutomotive offers the best prices on the AEM CAI.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by WRS2K
[B]

 

well, for the aem intake, its a lot easier install with the bumper on, the injen is a one long tube which makes it a lot easier to have the bumper removed.
the rain gets pretty dam close, but from what i have inspected thorugh a couple downpoars, is that the filter is pretty safe. it site behind to angled pieces in the bumper, kinda in its own little triangle. but then again, i dont get very much rain in so cal, so for you people that have a lot of storms, you can still cut really small holes to let some air through. i m pretty sure that minute amount of moisture is not gong to be a problem.

 

How does a AEM intake sound compared to the stock airbox cover with the top removed? I'm liking that sound right about now .

 

Hate to say but the sound is not as deep nor is it as pronounced. The stock airbox with the cover removed sounds a little meaner but at the expense of sucking up hot air.

 

Also, as idle you get that rather annoying high-pitched whine from the stock airbox with the lid off. I didn't notice the same problem with the AEM on Rick's car.

- Chris

 

http://www.digicomp.cc/grandtouring/pix/aem/aem011.jpg

How's the air getting to the filter if the bumper is on? Isn't it pretty much a must to remove the fake brake vents in the bumper?