Kind of confused on which is the better buy. This was taken from AEM's FAQ section of their webpage.

Q: Why is there only a Short Ram intake system for some applications?

A: "Our Research & Development team has discovered that certain applications make more power with shorter intake tracts than those with long intake tracts. This is determined through repeated testing of various intake piping for every application we manufacture," Says Chief Engineer John Concialdi, "In some cases the length and diameter of the pipe plays a more important role than inlet temperature (within reason) in making power in a useable rpm range."

Problem is, both applications are available for my car. 1996 Civic (DX) D16Y7.
If I go with the Cold air system, do I need to hack away at anything to make it fit?

 

your talking about a 5hp max increase...go w/ the cheapest one that you like.

 

ya theres like a 2 hp diffrence between the cold air and ram air, i have the cold air and i love it, it makes the engine sound ALOT better, it was the first mod i chose because i didnt like how my engine whined like a bitch. now it has a fuller sound. the ram air will do the same effect so just stick with that one, i assure you, you wont notice the diffrence between cold and ram air. if you do get the cold air tho, spend the 40$ and get the bypass valve. its worth the money when you hit a puddle and blow youe engine.

 

Don't worry about the bypass valve unless you live somewhere where it rains or snows A LOT! You would need to run through a puddle that is at least a foot deep in order to submerge the filter. Think about how many people have CAI and how many of those have been unfortunate enough (or stupid enough) to suffer from hydrolock. Only get it for the above reasons or unless you're paranoid/stupid driver.

 

ya i live in arizona and we get random "monsoon" storms and somtimes you cant see the puddles, i hit one once that was about a foot and a half deep looked about an inch deep. no im not "paranoid or stupid". but if it does rain a substantial amount get the bypass valve, if it dosent just watch for puddles



[Modified by KAMiN, 10:29 PM 9/9/2001]

 

the pipe connects to another pipe that drops downunder your coolant resevoir and ends up inside the bumper

 

Kamin, I didn't say get only if you're stupid or paranoid. Read it again...

Yeah, that "above reasons" takes your situation into account....

 

If you're looking for better performance, go for the full Cold Air Induction (CAI). Granted, the power difference isn't THAT much, but horsepower is horsepower.

As for the sound, the CAI gives a pretty good, full sound. The short ram, on the other hand, has been described as sounding like a chainsaw at full throttle.

Also, you need to think about whether you might ever go with Forced Induction in the future. I wouldn't recommend it on a DX engine, but this also applies if you swap the engine.
If you decide to turbocharge your car both the CAI and the short ram will be completely useless. If you supercharge it, they will probably have to be heavily modified to get them to fit.




[Modified by spyder, 11:02 AM 9/10/2001]

 

Ive got the CAI on my 97 DX coupe and love it. My only complaints are the whistle it makes at certain throttle position. But besides the sweet sound that does really sound like a chainsaw when your at high rpm's you get a little performance increase...especially when your car is cold. Taking my car out on cold nights, feels a lot faster. Car feels slower though when its hot outside and the road is hot. I would stay away from the short ram. My AEM CAI can be converted in...yours probabyl can too since its for the same car, it comes in 2 pieces and you can put the cone filter on the shorter piece and remove the piece that goes into the bumper. I did this for a couple weeks and it sounded a lot less cool, and performed worse. Most noticably, when it was hot out, the car would perform like ****....the filter was probably sucking in air over 100 degrees. If you get the CAI and an exhaust your DX wont be too shabby. Remember that our cars weigh next to nothing/

 

I have a 93 dx with a CAI and i really enjoy it with a header, high flow cata nd a phat Brullen exhaust my car is pretty sweet, much faster in my opinion tan with my old ram air

 

why don't you post your method?