Hi,

I've looked up previous posts about the cold air intakes (CAI) that people usually use for their Hondas, but I still have some problems making up my mind as to which one I really want to get.

I'm hesitating between three different models. I've also looked up at what exactly makes a CAI good or even better than another model. The shortest seems to be the best. As for air restriction from the inside of the product, I haven't been able to find anything on the manufacturers websites. Anyways here they are.

1. K&N Cold Air Intake - $163.99 US
2. AEM Cold Air Intake - $220.63 US
3. AFE Cold Air Intake - $375.00 US

The first two ones seems to differ in the pathway the air has to follow to get to the engine. To me, the K&N one seems to win by being shorter. Price wasn't a criterion for this, but it's still $50.00 cheaper, making it much more worth it to my eyes.

Now the third one. First, I have to admit that it's the look that got me hooked instantly. I can just imagine that thing out of my hood. Anyways, it's the shortest. The obvious inconvenient is rain and winter ... and a f*cking hole in your carbon fiber hood !

According to these previous relections, I'm going with K&N's intake. Do you think I'm doing the right decision ?

- If not, why ? If so, why ?

* BTW I'm not considering the material that the CAI is made of because the air stays in it for such a short time that I think it's pretty useless to get some SPACECRAFT, bullsh*t, nano...

 

personally i would just buy one of ebay for like 30$ and then but a K&N air filter for it,but if u got the paper go for it

 

Aem is my choice i love there Dryflow filters

 

My concern is only performance. I'm not buying anything just because it's expensive or cheap. Would you suggest that an eBay one would do the same thing with a different filter ?

 

i think it would be u still got the good filter all the rest is just some piping ive seen people use pvc pipeing i wouldnt suggest that but i think it be the same

 

You're probably right, after all the most important factor is the diameter of the piping.

 

And filter ...

 

K&N high flow for your stock air box, a few black zip-ties and about 3ft of heater ducting.

 

I'd say find a cheap SRI if your worried about rain with CAI's
and I agree with buddy190 on the home depot ram air,I like it but
the factory rubber intake hose is quite restrictive. now if you had aluminum piping and couplings to mount on the factory air box it would be straight up ballin..

 

why dont you get a front mount cold air intake?
it will get WAY WAY more air since it is not restricted and the air will me slightly colder.

and either way. you WILL need a CAI bypass so you wont hydro lock your car

 

I would suggest not getting an aluminum intake pipe. Aluminum absorbs heat and transfers that heat to your intake charge. The stock intake pipe seems like it would be better in that aspect. And the fully inclosed filter design means the filter will be sucking up air not from the engine compartment, but from the cool, dense air from outside.
Here is a how-to...
http://www.g2ic.com/tegtips/engine/24.html
I could be wrong. This is just one guys opinion on the matter.

And, yea, get a bypass valve.

 

WTF?!?!
the tire can hit and tear that **** apart on a tight turn. so can dirt debri

 

I TOTALLY suggest this
http://www.ppsonline.net/underhoodFrontMount.htm
you get cold air and the air is not restricted in th engine cabin nor between the bumper and splash guard

 

My brother did this upgrade on his teg. No tire rubbing what so ever. And no holes, either.

 

They look like broken intercoolers.

 

they are supposed to look like intercoolers.
since intercoolers get ALOT of COLD air flow.
its a good idea

 

It is, no doubt. Wrap the pipe in some of that header wrap stuff. Best of both worlds.

 

Thanks guys,

I'll read all of your posts this evening, I'm finishing my paint job.

 

does anyone know how much heat wrap cost?

 

get a Itr aem V2, or the one thats 3inch and use there dry flow filter, or find one you like and add a Velocity stack and filter,

 

This thread has some interesting information...

Get a used AEM CAI for ~$80 shipped (or maybe less). It's a proven, cost-effective, and reliable option.

You will not need a bypass filter unless: your car is lowered by an absurd amount, you remove the fender liner for some odd reason, and/or you like driving through very deep puddles with an open throttle.

Also, why is shorter better for you? Typically, longer tubing will build torque at medium speeds, and shorter tubing will build torque at higher speeds - possibly beyond your camshaft's operating range. What is your power goal, and how will the car be used?

 

Sounds good, any ideas where I can find a used CAI ? Medium speed torque enhancement is what I'd be looking for. The car's a DD, but hey doesn't mean it won't be used :D !

 

Looking for a cold air intake for PERFORMANCE gains is like using a different kind of pencil to score higher on S.A.T.'s .
Think Horsepower gain per $

You can surely get better HP increase in other investments. Or buy cheap used CAI

 

just leave it stock and get a drop-in K&N filter best bang for the buck!

 

From dyno tests at the same dyno on the same D16Z6 Civic the Iceman Dry configuration (cooler air intake configuration) increased peak hp by about 3hp, with a peak gain of about 6hp at 4400rpm.

The AEM CAI increased peak hp just a tad under 3hp, which was also the peak gain. Gains of about 1-2hp began around 3000rpm all the way up to the peak gain of around 5600rpm. However, there were losses of almost 2hp from idle to 2500rpm or so.

A K&N drop in offered no significant gain over a new paper filter with the stock intake and resonator installed. Basically the K&N flows like a new paper filter even when dirty while a paper filter decreases airflow gradually as it gets dirtier.

10 years ago a new Iceman and AEM were in the $200-$250 range while a K&N drop in filter was in the $39.99-$49.99 range.

With that said all the dyno tests were done on different days so humidity, air temperature, etc may add an element of error in the tests.