I'm thinking about getting a cold air intake for my '91 Integra but I'm not sure which kind to buy. Any of you that are experienced in this area give me the hip hap. Plus, what kind of pricing can I expect and does the wear and tear of a used one affect its performance? (considering I buy it used)

 

I'd highly advise againt a CAI. They are not nearly as beneficial as said to be. The design sets it up, so you will pick up what is known as "turbelant air" from your wheel well....basically its swirling air, this air is not as easily compressed and moved through your IM and your motor. Because it is "turbelant" your not making the power gains you believe you are" While the setup does pull in air that is of a much less temp, the piping itself is either aluminum or plastic, and serves as a air oven and heats the air back up as it reaches the IM. You'll find that with a short ram you'll be pulling air in a more natural flow, allowing it to be a little more usuable.

In my personal opinion, a stock airbox with a high pass filter is the best route to go, or a shrouded shortram. You'll notice not to many D1 or Circuit cars run with a Short Ram, and non run with a CAI.

 

Is it possible to remove the stock filter box and add on something like a cone filter to improve airflow or will it also suck up hot air from the engine?

 

after you remove the box you'll realize that it's a lot like a short ram already. A cai also have a slower throttle response from what I heard.

I suggest a 3inch piping short ram. since you are in ca and you need carb sticker see if you can get something like DC sport's short ram

 

try looking into a cold-air box design short ram. the benifits from this is you get cold air and there is less piping and no chance of your engine hydro-locking comptech makes a short ram and you can buy the comptech cold-air box to mount up on it.