Why are AEM and INJEN cold air systems so expensive , but basic no name brands which look exactly the same are like $25.00 on ebay. is there something important or performance driven that the $200+ intakes have over no name

 

It's just cause of the name brand. But you pay for what you get so beware.

 

The need for a name-brand intake is like the need for a name-brand exhaust; they do the same thing. As for the intake, as long as you have a good filter element (K&N for great flow and FILTERTING --> other filters may flow better, but they probably don't filter as well at the same time), the tube is just there. Sure, you might lose .1 HP, but you saved about $150! And don't forget about the *bling* factor for having AEM

 

There's also the factor that AEM is CARB, which is important to CA residents. The ebay versions are not.