I had fun today with the my first performance modification of my 2002 Accord SE (4 cyl/AT). The car has been stock since I bought it new, and I have kept pretty good care of it. Since it has surpassed its 100K mile mark recently, I thought it would be fun give it a little more power. However, I couldn't do anything too drastic, as it is my daily driver and I have a wife and family who uses it, too. It needs to stay a family car. So that means no "glass pack" style exhausts, lo-pro wheels, etc. However, it still needed to be fun to drive, so I made a decision.

I switched to a cold air intake. It made sense as it could add some hp without hurting fuel economy. I did not go short ram as I heard those can be pretty loud, and so I decided on the AEM model CAI.

I'm pretty handy but a newbie with cars, however this installation was dead simple. In about an hour I had the new intake in place and set to go. Only problem was the throttle when I tested it, as it wouldn't go back to idle. It scared me at first, but I decided to rev it some more and once I got it to about 5K rpm it dropped back down and has reacted normally ever since.

I took it for a drive and it has been perfect so far. Starting up the car sounds exactly like it used to, quiet and idles smoothly. When driving casually (under 3K rpm), the throttle sounds perfectly stock. Smooth as silk. Then I decided to accelerate from a stop in an area where it is safe to do it. That's when I hear it... holy mother of #&@*... what a sound! That engine growled like never before! Even in an automatic! Granted, it didn't throw me into the back seat or anything, but I felt a bit more acceleration than usual, which is what I wanted. It was a great addition, and I highly recommend it for any newbie. I'll be adding an air bypass when it comes in just to be safe, and I'm brightening up the gauges with some white LEDs next.

Thanks to everyone for your posts and discussions, as this site has been a great source of info!

 

You might consider adding an AEM air bypass valve to help prevent going through a big water puddle and getting hydro-lock.

http://www.aemintakes.com/air_bypass_valve.htm

 

That was an entertaining read. Reminds me of when I was a car noob. Congrats on your first DIY mod. It all starts with the little stuff. In no time, you'll be doing an H22 swap.

 

Please have a bypass...the last thing I want to read is some poor guy getting hydrolocked because of his first mod --- talk about sour taste in your mouth!

 

x2 my friend learned that the hard way even after my warning...get the bypass valve...for the money youll spend on it youll save tons more

 

Nice mod man. Great job. It feels nice having something done to the car.

 

Thanks for the feedback! And I had ordered the bypass, but it hasn't come in yet. Looks like a simple install as well. Makes sense, since when you go to the ocean to go snorkeling, you tend to keep your snorkel up instead of down ;^).

 

That reminds me, I should post my iPhone dock mod I did a few years ago. I made the felt change holder on the left in to a closable dock and it works perfectly. No iPhone? Close the drawer and no dock. Keeps the burglars away!

 

OP, if your AEM pipe is 3 inches in diameter i have a bypass valve here collecting dust you can have it for a small and minor fee.

 

Yeah if you suck up water in your CAI your frown will not be upside down. I prefer short ram. You should hear the sound. Sounds like your car is taking a hit of some cali or whatever they smoke

 

congrats on the mod, theres many more to come that was my 1st mod too now look at me. haha.

 

Thanks for the offer, but mine is 2.5. It's already on it's way!

 

Just added the air bypass valve and it still runs great. I did notice a change in the tone, though. It is a little less loud and more duotoned (two tones) when accelerating. This makes some sense in the fact that due to the bypass valve install, one pipe has been split into two, so each pipe gives its own tone and the rubber valve probably muffles it a little bit. I have to admit, I like the sound even better now! It sounds more complex and less like a mod, like I amped up the volume of the stock engine. Still has the power and is even more "Jekyll and Hyde", as the under 3K RPMs are really quiet (also due to the tune up I did), then above 3K the engine roars nicely! Thanks for the tips, everyone!