I'm (obviously) a new user (2 posts I think). Anyway, I have been secretly reading forum posts for a month or so now. I have a general question about CAI and don't remember reading a post from anyone...

I live up here in Seattle where it rains 9 months out of the year...sux!!! I'm interested in getting a CAI but was warned by the dealership that it wouldn't be very smart in rain-country. The bypass valve on the AEM seems to be legit, but I'm still hesitant. I don't want to blow the engine, yet still feel the need to get a little extra from the 3.2. Any suggestions or similar climates to compare to??? I'm looking for somebody to tell me they've driven their car through 12" pools of water at full throttle for the past couple of years without a glitch...any takers?

Why dont you just get a bypass valve?

hey!!! the bypass valve is tried and proven...I wouldnt go transversing through pools of water tho, its just for safety...If you still dont wanna risk it, buy an Injen short ram intake with a heat shield...its an easier install and plus its cheaper...You can find it all at ACP.com...Shyne

I was considering the short intake but read that it doesn't improve performance in the mid-range rpms...only the high rpm's.

dont read all that bull shit...if you put anything on that 3.2 that is gonna provide a clean, continuous flow of air then you are gonna see considerable gains...get the Cold air intake tho, thats waht i have and im happy, make sure you get the bypass

I live up in Vancouver, Canada...similar climate to Seattle...just even more rain(and a bit colder). I have the AEM CAI with bypass valve. No problems yet for the past 9 months.

The bypass valve(in my opinion) is just a precautionary measure for peace of mind. Nothing more. You shouldn't be driving through 2 foot puddles anyways.

How high off the ground is the intake? In other words, what's the shallowest puddle that would let your engine pull up a column of water?

i would say the cold air intake plus the bypass valve sits a good 2 and a half feet off the ground...im telling you tho, its so worth it...i used to worry about shit like yall newbies do, but now i just take everything fro what its worth from people like me and other people who know their shit...Shyne

I am thinking of getting one too but the $330(CAI,bypass valve, installation) seems kinda high. I dont know if it'll be worth it. Plus I only have a CL-P

Get it from autocarparts and it'll run you about $260 for CAI and
bypass.

Install it yourself. If Amir can install a CAI, ANYONE can!
(especially if you follow the HOWTO in my sig)

I'm in Seattle too and have the AEM CAI with by-pass. No problems whatsoever. Go put it in and just enjoy the sound of the intake when VTEC kicks in. If you want to know a place that'll do mods, let me know. Good luck.

Shit, I didn't know that I needed to saw the pipe and insert this thing in the middle. What does it cost to get it done at the shop if I provide the parts? I don't have the saw to cut it. What do you guys think? I've got the InJen CAI and AEM air bypass filter.

You should get the CAI with bypass, and you wont have a problem! It is definately better than short ram.

Does installing the CAI void the warranty at all?

EIS1660 & IS1660 is the one that they show on their site, but it is listed under 3.2CL (no S).

Is this the correct one?

no.

Most of your questions can be answered using the search function.

RD 1480 is the right number. It's especially made for the CL Type S.

Comment -- I still can't believe that AEM couldn't just put a silly metal tube spacer, hose, and clamps to have made the stupid air pipe "air bypass" ready. IMO -- the "saw it yourself" stuff is like having to solder cables to your stereo and TV…

Well, a 1 piecer is surely cheaper to make.
And I'm willing to bet most people with intakes do not have the bypass, so......

I don't YET, but with the rains of late, I'm sure tired of driving at pedestrian speeds through intersections with "flowing" water...

I would have paid the extra $$$, but again, that's just me...

Hey, thanks for all of the replies...AEM CAI w/ Bypass it is!! CMark, you mentioned you could suggest someone to install mods. I'm not too clumsy, so I'll try the CAI myself, but just in case... Which dealership do you service at? I've been using the one up in Linwood (on Aurora). They didn't even know a CAI was available for the CL.

Seattle CL-S: I had the CAI installed at a local speedshop (Pure Performance Innovations) but I have my routine service done at Acura of Seattle at Southcenter. I should've done the install myself but I didn't have the tools (especially the saw) to do it so....just remember to reset the ECU when you're done. To be honest, I don't think any dealerships in the Seattle area are up to speed on aftermarket parts for our cars though Bellevue does carry Comptech parts.
Good luck on the install and have fun listening to the intake.

All in all, the water is gonna have to be UNCOMMONLY deep to get sucked up by the intake.


Its HIGHLY unlikely that without a bypass valve you can fuck your engine.


The Bypass Valve was a waste of time and $ for me. Living here in DC, if its ever raining and theres a foot of water on the ground I'll take my girls land rover.

The cost is only $47 for a pretty big deal insurance. Not expensive in my view. Also, I want to be able to drive to places in the car and I don't want to worry about whether or not there may be problems.