I have been hearing about how the AEM CAI just isn't doing good for a highy tuned NA motor, about how it will lower the engine response, or how it restricts flow at higher RPM's... Well, after all the yapping and dyno results for ages, it still says nothing about how it increase of engine response

So I have finally decided to test it out myself without spending too much money. After about a day's work, I manage to make a custom cold air box out of plastic that is completely sealed air tight Project cost was approx $30 for the materials, and I used the upper portion of the AEM CAI like it was a shorty intake

I have been driving with the airbox for almost 3 weeks, and here are my impressions on how the airbox reacted to a highly tuned NA motor:

- there was definitely an increase in engine response, starting at RPM's above 5k

- the car actually pulled harder above 6k RPM. The J&S actually lit up (2 LED's) at around 7K (VTEC Xover for my motor), so perhaps it might be lacking some fuel because the engine is drawing more air!

-during some highspeed driving (6k+ RPM also), the engine doesn't shake or bog a little before it pulls. It used to do that when I had the AEM CAI, but not anymore with the airbox setup.

- Intake temperature was warmer though, about 2 deg (C) warmer than the AEM CAI.

- The low-end got a bit weaker (2500-4000RPM). Perhaps the cold airbox is lacking the "hump" that CAI's give.

One of the best thing that i have noticed is the way the engine pulls after I quickly shift into the next gear after redlining. When I had the AEM CAI, the engine would have a little pause (very slightly) before it pulls again in the next gear. With the cold airbox, each time I shift it would hit hard in the next gear. Chirping second gear was never that easy That was one of the best improvements.

And of course, I will never forget the pics



BTW, I have also found a way to easily remove the nasty purple stuff on SS headers. Try using some Eagle 1 Chrome polish! I just polished my header back to like-new finish (see above engine pics)


[Modified by Tony the Tiger, 9:07 PM 2/23/2002]

 

Great stuff Tony!

 

be a pal and list materials used

 

...interesting... and very nice and clean Tony...

 

great work and nice pics to

 

My reason for your loss of torque down low and increase in hp up top is because you now have a plenum intake. It takes a while for air to build up in there but once it does, you feel the effects! More than likely you are running lean up top, which is a good thing, now you can add some more fuel and perhaps pick another 5hp from 6-9k. Good Work. If you can verify your results on a dyno for us, I'm curious.

Would you mind listing where you picked up the materials and how you did the construction. I would like to test this out myself. Thanks

 

I'm also dying to know what you used for that and maybe how much everything was. As usual, great work Tony

 

damn pics don't work. can anyone put up links to the pics?
hahaha nevermind i found out why they dont work:

"This member's Web site has exceeded its maximum bandwidth limit for the day. The bandwidth limit will be reset on a
daily basis. High traffic sites with numerous file downloads a day could run the risk of exceeding this limit. This account is still active. Please try to download this file at a later date. "

ahahahah


[Modified by boroDC2, 2:32 PM 2/23/2002]

 

Hey tony, is this better than converting a stock airbox to an icebox with the k&n filter?

 

Ok guys, don't get all rowdy Haha...

Here's the material list guys ($$$ are in CAD and are rounded off):
- A sheet of acrylic plastic (the ones I used can withstand some heat) -- $15.00
- 90 deg metal bends for securing the plastic pieces -- $5.00
- Strips of metal that are used for mounting the airbox -- $3.00
- Urethane caulking to seal inside of the box (small tube) -- $5.00
- Dryer hose that extends to the front bumper -- $5.00
- Dryer hose adapter (acts as a scoop) -- $3.00
- Fasteners (screws, rivets..your choice) $2.00
- Flat black paint -- $5.00
TOTAL -------------------------------------- $43.00 CAD
All materials purchased from Home Depot

It's really all about your skills on working with plastics and designing the box. I basically fabricated a cardboard replica and used that as a reference. There was trimming and sanding involved as well. I really thought that this was a fun project to play around with, so I never had the idea of taking pictures of the process, of the dimensions, etc... And it's very hard to get the dimensions because it's not a solid shape...it's round at the bottom, and it's an irregular shape....

I haven't done any testing with the stock GSR airbox though... But isn't the stock GSR airbox too small? I find it hard to believe that it will supply enough air at the filter for a motor like mine. With the stock ITR airbox, I am not sure...but if there are gains from a larger sealed airbox (ie: Comptech Icebox) on an ITR, then I am certain to conclude that this airbox does work better than the stock one

BTW, I have transferred the files to another server...they should work fine now

 

Very nicely done

 

It's mind over matter......

Good work... man after my own heart.

 

very impressive........ but i like it.

tj

 

damn tony
nice and clean beast

 

Like I said before, HOME DEPOT is tizzite

By far one of my favorite import performance shops in North America. Great prices, excellent selection and there's one in almost every city.

 

Thanks for the compliments everyone... And of course, Home Depot is the ultimate place for your performance needs You get the best bang for the buck by shopping from Home Depot

 

nice work

 

that looks great

 

hey tony, this is a little OT but what is that little decal that you have the is covering the vin # on the engine (it looks like something with AEM) and where did you get it?

BTW good job on the intake it looks professional

 

just a quick question... is that a 2.5" or 3" intake? I can not really tell from the pic

 

AEM =

Good choice Tony...

 

Very nice work! May be you can make one for all of us

 

excellent review and craftsmanship!

your descriptions of the better throttle response are much better than what many of us have been trying to tell people on this board for a long time

 

Oh, that's just a ClutchMaster's sticker

Hey LoudAccord, the AEM CAI is for an ITR, so it's a 3" intake pipe.

 

I know you already know everything, but I was going to suggest the 3" ITR intake, but you already got it I am switching from the 2.5" Accord AEM CAI to the 3" 97
+ lude AEM CAI. hope that helps me