Let me add the first question to this FAQ:

How does it compare to the AEM system, does it compare at all, is it the preferred system among the ITR community... gains?

 

One year ago, AEM 0wnz everyone. Now comptech and AEM are about the same.

AEM - topend, 4k rpm spike, risk of hydrolock, loss of throttle response, sonic boom at VTEC

Icebox - better throttle response, smoother, more quiet than AEM, look stockish



[Modified by B2FiNiTY, 1:51 PM 5/1/2002]

 

somewhere around here is a dyno plot of the two...

Comptech better mid-range power, slightly less top end...

 

Well I checked comptech's website and i'm confused.

Ice Box, 94-01 Type R & LS/RS/GS - $169.95
(must be used with air intake kit)

Air Intake Kit, Comptech Sport (97-01 Type R) $189.95

so i have to spend over 300 dollars for the complete system or what?

 

Don't believe that garbage that it has to be used with the air intake kit. They're just trying to suck you dry of your cash that's all. All you need is the Icebox and the Comptech filter. I think some people can even get a K&N filter to work with the Icebox.

 

Comptech owns the AEM. OEM fit and quality, .00000001% chance of hydrolock, not noisy, nice torque and response...you won't be sorry. Just get the tube and filter and you'll be good.

 

Well, there is a fitment issue with the A/C line that runs next to the air box. As far as i am concerned it is not yet resolved as bending the A/C line is not a solution nor possible due to the bracket holding the A/C line just under the air box.

I posted a message on the Comptech forums about the issue
http://www.comptechusa.com/cgi-bin/f...m=29&topic=121

My findings on filters for the Ice Box.
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=162029

 

i personally have the aem cai and like the performance. the fit and finish is as far as i can tell...as long as you fasten the rubber connections on tightly and make sure you align things up ok...the aem is good quality.

as for the aem having clearance issues...i don't see the problem others were having. my a/c lines don't rub my piping.

all in all, give or take a few hp, they're all the same and it just comes down to personal preference. whatever you feel more comfortable with. i like the slight increase in hum from the aem...and when vtec engages...depending on whether you're WOT or partial throttle, the thing wails...like nascar

 

i had the AEM and now am using the Icebox. I personally like the sound of the icebox a more. The AEM was just getting annoying being so loud. I can't tell any difference i power at all.

 

What are you talking about? I have no fitment issues. It fits perfect. I guess since the directions it comes with suck you're doing something wrong.

 

What are YOU talking about? The Comptech fits well, but it is nowhere near "perfect." OEM is perfect, Mugen is perfect...Comptech fitment is just O.K... The bolt-on style brackets are lame, and 85% of the time the A/C lines need to be adjusted (read: bent) for proper fitment.

 

I had the same problem the AC lines were in the way its pretty common from what I've heard

 

Really?? Less chance of hydrolock since it gets air from the same place and all

 

No, less chance of hydrolock since the filter is up in the engine bay, and not 8" off the ground.

 

I'm just gonna jump in here and say that, for the record, the Icebox DOES NOT fit a del Sol VTEC or any EG chassis with a B-series perfectly. It works, but there are some fitment issues.

 

mine fit fine, and i like it alot more then the aem. my friend with a 2000 py R had an aem and we raced started from a rolling start in 3rd gear and by the end i was (with the ice box) a bumper ahead of him. we did this 5 times and the same results each time.

 

Switch cars next time, must be driver.

 

cant be, it was just a rolling 3rd gear pull. all we did was crush the gas pedal. but you knwo take it for what its worth...

 

Or it could be the fact that since the Icebox makes more power from 4k up to 7k (or whatever it is, I don't have the dyno sheet in front of me), that it is able to move through the RPM range quicker...

 

See this...
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=176838

 

That's true.

 

No you can get the ICE BOX and then get the comptech filter with extention elbow and run you stock tube. Best buy

 

You can still hydrolock with an Ice Box. It doesnt matter where the filter is, its a sealed system with the inlet close to the ground. The risk of hydrolock is there with either AEM or Icebox, but if you have half a brain, it wont be a problem.

 

No chance of hydrolock with the Icebox. It has been designed with a water evac system in the first runner.

 

IMHO, stock box is just dandy for most applications... unless you're pushing well over 180whp.