AEM CAI test drive
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 51
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From: San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
AEM CAI test drive
Thought I'd share my AEM CAI experience with everyone...I know when I was looking to buy one, I enjoyed everyone else's stories.
Installation took about 3 hours (last half in the dark, so that slowed things down considerably), but if I were to do it again, would maybe take a little over an hour. The AEM instructions suck. Xephyr's instructions are much better for the first half of the install. I don't know the difference between the water bypass hose and the breather hose, VSA and throttle body, etc., so I was a little confused. Came to the board and checked out other AEM CAI pics (thanks guys!) and that kinda cleared things up.
Started it up and it had a pretty loud hissing noise between 1000-2000 rpm (I guess that means that it's working...it's really sucking in the air). Then when you got the rpm's going, it sounded great. I was a little worred about the hissing noise, but it definetely quited down after the car warmed up. Once it's warm, it's not too noticeable. You can definitely hear a different at normal driving speeds, but it's not that bad. I prefer the quieter stock intake for that reason, but the sound and power gains of the AEM are definitely worth the hiss.
It sounds awesome as your reach 3500-4000 rpm and gets better as you reach 5700-6000. You can definitely feel the power gain. I was actually slightly intimidated by the power increase. It's fast!
Turned off VSA and put it in D4 and floored it....quite a bit more wheelspin, but not too bad, and a lot better 0-60. I'm impressed.
After shutting it off, you hear it make a loud hissing noise, but it's pretty cool.
It'll take a little getting used to. I like the new sound at high rpms, but it'll take a while to get used to the low rpm hisses.
Oh and it looks great. Haven't seen it in the daylight, but I'm sure it'll look great.
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2001 CL-S Nighthawk Black w/ spoiler and chromed CL-S rims
Installation took about 3 hours (last half in the dark, so that slowed things down considerably), but if I were to do it again, would maybe take a little over an hour. The AEM instructions suck. Xephyr's instructions are much better for the first half of the install. I don't know the difference between the water bypass hose and the breather hose, VSA and throttle body, etc., so I was a little confused. Came to the board and checked out other AEM CAI pics (thanks guys!) and that kinda cleared things up.
Started it up and it had a pretty loud hissing noise between 1000-2000 rpm (I guess that means that it's working...it's really sucking in the air). Then when you got the rpm's going, it sounded great. I was a little worred about the hissing noise, but it definetely quited down after the car warmed up. Once it's warm, it's not too noticeable. You can definitely hear a different at normal driving speeds, but it's not that bad. I prefer the quieter stock intake for that reason, but the sound and power gains of the AEM are definitely worth the hiss.
It sounds awesome as your reach 3500-4000 rpm and gets better as you reach 5700-6000. You can definitely feel the power gain. I was actually slightly intimidated by the power increase. It's fast!
Turned off VSA and put it in D4 and floored it....quite a bit more wheelspin, but not too bad, and a lot better 0-60. I'm impressed.
After shutting it off, you hear it make a loud hissing noise, but it's pretty cool.
It'll take a little getting used to. I like the new sound at high rpms, but it'll take a while to get used to the low rpm hisses.
Oh and it looks great. Haven't seen it in the daylight, but I'm sure it'll look great.
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2001 CL-S Nighthawk Black w/ spoiler and chromed CL-S rims
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,296
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great review, thanks!!
i thik i am gonna get a CAI in the next few months,,,not headers though
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2001 CL-S
Black/Black
Moonroof Visor
35% Tint All Around
Black Wood Dash Kit
Currently on TL rims with Nokian Winter Tires
My Bitch
i thik i am gonna get a CAI in the next few months,,,not headers though
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2001 CL-S
Black/Black
Moonroof Visor
35% Tint All Around
Black Wood Dash Kit
Currently on TL rims with Nokian Winter Tires
My Bitch
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 26,227
Likes: 8,064
From: Haudenosaunee Land
time to change your signature!
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'01 Satin Silver CL-S, tint, Momo Cobra Carbon, Mobil1, V1
NY Lic.- F1 FAN
Future mods: Comptech springs, sways & headers
18" wheels (Heidfelds or Volks) with S-02's
aerokit?
1995 Mitsu GSX, no mods
NY Lic.-I LV F1
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'01 Satin Silver CL-S, tint, Momo Cobra Carbon, Mobil1, V1
NY Lic.- F1 FAN
Future mods: Comptech springs, sways & headers
18" wheels (Heidfelds or Volks) with S-02's
aerokit?
1995 Mitsu GSX, no mods
NY Lic.-I LV F1
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 51
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From: San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Nope, no bypass valve. I'm not planning on driving through a foot of water any time soon. I've maybe driven through that much water 3 times in my life...and that was in my old silverado which could take it. Even without the CAI, I wouldn't take this car through a foot of water.
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2001 CL-S Nighthawk Black w/ spoiler, chromed CL-S rims, and AEM CAI.
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2001 CL-S Nighthawk Black w/ spoiler, chromed CL-S rims, and AEM CAI.
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