woodek

First, I have a AEM (21-416) CAI and haven't put on my air bypass valve yet (I've had it for a year, but Im lazy). Man, looking at the thing it seems like dirty air can get in there. Does anyone else have one installed? I just need to hear people have not had any problems with theirs before I install mine.

Also, I want to get a new filter. I considered cleaning the original, but when I checked the makeup of my original filter the AEM site says:
(From the website):

"Each AEM Cold Air Intake features a one-piece, four-layer, cotton-gauze AEM air filter that provides superior filtration. Each AEM Cold Air Intake filter body is made from urethane so that it won't shrink or crack like plastisol, the common material that other air intake filters are made of.

Is this the same material as the K & N filter? I thought mine was "dry" and the K&N cleaners I'm finding have an oil step. I don't want to "F" mine up cleaning it with the oil type cleaner if it's not that type.

Maybe I should just get a totaly new K&N filter instead of messing with mine old one. Just wanted to go the cheaper route.

Thanks!
K

subbuzz

i looked at mine today(aem cai) it was dirty as fuck. no probs as of yet. i just take it off and wash it, mine had some leave particles and just plain dirt....i'm gonna clean as much as possible cuz when its dirty it hurts the little gain you get....

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

and you know you can't afford to lose that

you set urself up for the one

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

I have the bypass valve, had it all fall, winter and spring, it's fine, not dirty

subbuzz

i thought the bypass hurts gains also?

SupraManAG

ur already hurt with or without one my friend

hybridnrg

iTrader: (4)

the only dry air filter i know is the Apexi one.

hoss

no AEM just came out with a new one.It should be on the site and I dont believe it was that expensive.They are supposed to start selling it with all their intakes.

SupraManAG

i heard apexi filters are real nice
worth the $

ninjaturtle420

a friend of mine just bought the new AEM dry filter for $45... and the air flow is pretty damn high.

its alot more convenient than a oil filter...no cleaning

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

You loose like .5 hp with a bypass, I'd rather loose that, than loose my engine

ajtcl

Just get the K&N oil-charged air filter and a recharge kit. Besides, oil-charged filters don't really fail due to a little dirt. You only need to clean it twice a year, if that.

agranado

damn I can feel the burn

woodek

Here's the 411 on some confusion of "oil" air filters vs "dry" that I had.

I called AEM today because I saw on their website how to clean the dry filter (that does NOT use oil) that AEM makes. Fuck... I just bought a K&N cleaning kit that has an oil step. It's been a while since I installed my system so I didn't know WHICH I had.

Well, I was told, that if I bought my system longer than 8-9 months ago, it IS a oil type filter so the K&N cleaning system works for me. They just switched. Only the newer systems have the dry cleaning system/filters.

Also the size for (mine at least - model 21-416) is 2.75" for a new filter. I saw a few new AEM filters while I was in the store buying the K&N cleaner, and they were all 3", and they wont fit a 2.75" system. Glad I measured before I went.

I'll get the newer replacement AEM "dry" filter next time. The new filter cost $40 - 50. The cleaning soloution (two step) is about 10$ for one cleaning- every two years or so.

Anyway, hope this helps someone. I was afraid to ask here because of the "search dumbass" responses I knew I'd get. I just didn't see an answer once I searched for what I was initially confused on. Actually, AEM site confused me a little too, so I called. Wish their site told me their older systems that they used to sell, were K&N type filters. Oh well, live and learn.


K

ajtcl

As for the 2.75" to 3", there are collars and fit rings to solve that issue. I have a 3" intake pipe, but the OEM intake manifold and throttle body has a 2.75" port. My CAI connection has a fit ring inside that makes it fit the smaller opening. The collar works the other way.

hoss

Yea we had a really bad rainfall a few months ago and my civic got stuck goin though some water and sucked it right up.......luckily my insurance payed for a new engine with less miles than mine had ......so if anyone needs a CAI for an 01-03 civic i will gladly sell you mine.