hey guys, wuzzup...

i know this question has been played out, but what's the difference between an AEM intake and a "generic" one, let's say from procarparts? performance wise or horsepower, does it make a difference? also, where can u get the cheapest AEM CAI around? if i'm not mistaken, we 4 cylinder people use the 94-97 intakes right? i was just about to get an intake, until i found the thread that many people are getting "generic" intakes instead. also, how's the installation like? do you really need to know your stuff to intall it yourself? thanks alot! peace.

 

The AEM CAI is a one piece intake; the Procarparts is 2 pieces.

I just installed one of the "generic" Procarparts CAI's in my 3.0CL. Bottom line is: a tube is a tube! The trick is getting a good filter like K&N. Other's say to also get the AEM By-Pass valve.

As far as installation goes, I've never put a short ram intake (which I had prior to this CAI) or CAI on a car before, and found the installation on the CL to be pretty easy.

Good luck!

 

hmmm... thanks for the post,
so how do you like your new CAI? can you feel the difference in contrast to the short ram you had on previously? does the procarparts intake have some sort of a bypass valve (since it comes in 2 parts)?

 

The procarparts CAI does not come with a bypass valve. Only aem makes ones. You can use it with other intakes even though aem saids it won't work. In order to use the bypass you have to cut your intake to make room for it. I personally do not have one or feel the need for one either.
For your 2.3 CL which is what I have, you'll need the 94-97 accord CAI. I have an OBX CAI which is way cheaper than the aem one. I like mine just fine. Like dust said a tube is a tube. Just make sure you get a nice filter for it like a K&N.
Horsepower wise its not huge gain but you'll notice a difference especially in the sound of your engine. VTEC will sound great.
Install is cake it took me like 30 mintues to install mine. If you do a search I'm sure you can sind detail instructions.

 

30 minutes? wow... that's fast ... thanks for the info

 

If you've never done it before it might take you a bit longer.

 

Not sure if you can really detect a difference.
I'm sure it's not much (but in my mind, it's a lot!)

I'm not getting the by-pass valve. Although, if you get the 2-piece CAI, you can probably put the valve in between the 2 pieces.

Like dcsquirm88 said, it may take you some time, but it's pretty easy! [It only took me about 10 minutes to install the CAI after I removed the air box and resonator.]

 

I put a 97 Accord on my 98 2.3. You have to bend a couple of wiring brackets out of the way and I think bypass a couple of hoses. I did mine early last year and it was simple to do. I had a Aikmoto on my civic and paid a fortune for it. I just got a polished tube and a K&N filter on my CL saved a $100.00 and have the same thing.