Okay, so I went to replace some windshield wiper fluid and noticed something weird about my AEM sri..The mounting bracket ended up staying attached to the ridge its bolted on but the side that attaches to the intake ripped clean off, leaving the intake suspended with a hole in it.

Apart from the sometimes annoying humming noise it produces, will this be a major PITA for me to have? Negative performance, pros cons?

Also, I was considering going to my friends shop to have some maggies put on and was wondering if he could just re-weld the piece back on?

It's late and my phone/camera blows for nighttime pics so those will be up in the morning, but what should I do?

 

How big is the hole?

 

You could easily stick your pinky in there..

 

That's not too bad, weld it

 

Okay, weather cleared up and I got some pics..







So you think a weld would be sufficient?

 

Another person's AEM intake is broken/cracked.

I don't know too much about welding, but wouldn't the concentrated heat kind of weaken the metal on the pipe? Or weaken the previous welded seal that came from the factory? Again, I don't know a whole lot about welding, but I get the feeling it could very well happen again.

And it looks like that may have happened due to constant vibration and the intake pipe probably getting jerked a little bit. Does AEM have a vibra-mount kind of bushing for their intakes? I know Injen does (mine came with one) and it kind of serves as a cushion between the intake and the frame.

 

^ yea AEM quality


What about one of those cold weld things like JB weld?

 

I'd get it welded(as long as they dont charge something ridiculous), and somehow fasten the thing w/ a rubber grommet of some sort at the mounting point. The weld would weaken the surrouding metal a bit, but i'm willing to bet it'd last as long as it has already, if not longer w/ a rubber mount of sorts. There's gonna be a lot of stress on that point when the engine moves.

 

Well just got back from Meineke and another muffler/welding shop. No one wants to touch the thing because its made of Aluminum. The welds would actually weaken the structural integrity of the piece itself, and without a rubber bushing to help dampen the forces it feels a JB weld wouldn't last long I fear.

In either case, I'll be driving it with this damn thing in its current condition because I can't find my stock airbox

I bought this intake used from a member on the BM for $40 bucks, so not like I really lost much, just a PITA to have happen I suppose. AEM can suck a fat one anyways.

Think this might be divine intervention to force me into buying a CAI.

Anyone selling one?

 

Yeah, looked like aluminum. Weld is a no go really. DUCT TAPE till you get it resolved, lol.

 

I bought an Injen CAI from Injen's online store (injenonline.com) for $196. They are (or were, I dunno if they're still doing it) having a clearance on their CAIs with the black finish. If you want to look into it, that is I saved about $50 by buying from them, versus going through another outfit.

However I did go through a ton of crap with them in terms of customer service. Still got a good intake, though.

 

^Yeah I REALLY want to get one in black..B2Auto is selling on in the BM for like $245 bucks but f-k that. I'll look into it thanks for the heads up!

And Duct tape....sigh, the first time I've EVER gone this ghetto with one of my cars..apart from driving the S4 around town with the bumper off so everyone could see my shiny intercooler <3

Thanks for the help guys!

 

That's not good at all.........

 

I've always hated AEM and never, NEVER used any of their products other than the UEGO I had.

Something as trivial as an intake shouldn't have such sh!t TIG welds.

BUT I learned my lesson...shopping for a CAI as we speak

 

u need to take it to a local shop where they perform aluminum welds.

it shouldn't be expensive and will only take a few minutes. just take the intake off and take it to them.

Also the weld will not make aluminum weak.

 

Thanks nspec, if anything I think I'm just going to go with a CAI. I've been wanting to get one anyways so I think this is my out =)

But if I decide to change my mind I'll be sure to get this done!

 

Why is that pipe so small? Damn AEM. Whats the diameter?

My SRI seems "wider"

 

I have no idea man...I was kinda wondering the same exact thing

 

^^could be a CL-P

 

I know u said u dont wanna keep it, but I just realized that u can take it to a shop where they repair rims. They can definitely fix it.

 

Really? Never thought about that, explain!

 

Is it a CL-P Onese1f ?

 

^ Yessir

Sidenote: Will a CL-s Intake fit a CL-P?

 

i dont think so

probably wrong though

 

damn that sucks I really want to see if an AEM intake really performs better than an ebay cheapo intake.

 

^Save your money for an Injen

 

because some wheels are aluminum and when they crack they have to weld them back together. So yes, any repair shop that actually repairs rims at the spot can fix this for you.

 

Alright thanks alot man, I'll take a look into it!

 

This is why I buy ebay intakes. A aluminum tube is an aluminum tube... $30 > $200

 

^ I paid about $40 bucks for this one chief

 

^ You get what you pay for



Good luck getting it patched up

 

Lol I figured you might say something like that!

I was going to look into a rim repair shop to see if they actually would weld this damn thing back together, either that, or I'm buying a new intake

 

UPDATE: Just called a few places and hallelujah I found one that specializes in aluminum welding. Looks like I'll be keeping this thing a bit longer depending on how much the expect me to pay for a weld

Or unless I get a response from like 2 people about buying a CAI instead..

Sidenote: Does anyone know where I can get a heatshield for this thing? I know Injen makes em for their intakes and figured I might be able to scoop one up from them?

 

Aaaaaahhh, just go ahead and fork out the bucks fro a CAI bro!

 

I've got some other things in the works before I fork over $265+ for a friggin intake


Like our LED conversion for one!

 

^GYEAH! Check ebay bro, saw one on there last week for around 60 bucks (AEM), I will keep my eye out for you!

 

Haha yeah!!! Good looks bro! Just another reason why FL AZiners rool! lol

 

The weld IS NOT the problem. Find a machine shop and have it re welded it will be fine and there is nothing to weaken. Dont drive around with that hole exposed. At least put something over the hole and get a hose clamp or 2 to hold it in place and cover the hole. You will be sucking in dirt and stuff into the motor. Get a vibra mount or it will continue to happen. Also get your motor mounts looked at. Ive ripped my cai mount every time i have had a bad front mount. There is too much engine movement for it to be mounted firmly.

 

Ah yes, never considered the motor mounts..I had a feeling it might need a new one, do you know where I can get said Vibramounts and how much new front motor mounts would run me?

Also, how would duct tape do as a temporary fix till I got it repaired(tomorrow)?

 

Well, since I realized that motor mounts were to blame and that another would would just come out as soon as it went in, I'm going to hold off on everything and just put the stock box back on. As of right now I have intake clamps holding a plastic piece over the hole so nothing gets in until I'm able to take it off and replace with stock box tomorrow.

I'm going to miss the sound of my intake, but there's always the resonator remove mod, which is right up on my list!