Hey,

Just got my AEM CAI, and was wondering if i really needed this or not. I thought that I read it decreased performance somewhere, but im not sure. I read an article by sport compact car on it, and they said it worked really good, but they only did tests where they submerged the intake under water, no real world test or anythingl, nor did they say anything about performance hits/gains/nothing. Any answers?

 

I don't have one because I do not believe i need it, but there was also a recall on them because they were breaking down and being sucked into the throttle body......I believe they fixed them though....better check.

 

yea, i heard about that, but those were older ones sold at the beg of this year. the ones out now are fine. i was wondering if it was needed for like ny, where i am going with it. does snow or slush really get sucked in? if you hit a puddle, will enough water go in to mess up you engine?

 

I still believe that it doesn't work. A waste of money.

 

really? have you read the review from scc? they were dunking the filter in a fish tank. i believe it works, im just not sure whether it is nec or not.

 

This might help answer your question: http://www.aempower.com/magart.htm

BTW, I bought the bypass valve w/AEM CAI just in case. It's way better and cheaper then paying for a new engine if and when you hit a deep puddle. Oh and make sure the model # is 20-402 with a 2.75" diameter. I was sent the 3" diameter and it fit a little loose around the CAI. But I am returning it to get the correct one.

 

thanks blackshadow - so how does it feel with the bypass on? do you feel any performance decrease at all?

 

I never had the CAI without the valve so if there IS a decrease in performance, I wouldn't know. All I care about is the increase in performance over the stock intake. Sound great too.

I also agree with BlackShadow. Jens at Park Ave told me about an Integra that came in that had a hole the size of a basketball in the block because he did not have the bypass valve.

If we have the money to drive a TL, what's an extra $50 for the insurance. I have driven through "lakes" before I put the CAI on and I like to know that I'll be alright if I need to do it again.

 

Well I don't know how the performance is without the bypass valve but with it on the AEM CAI, my TL seems a lot faster then before.

BTW, I know that the AEM CAI increases the hp by 5-10 but does anybody know if the bypass valve really increase/decrease performance or is it just there to keep the water from going into the engine?

 

That does NOT prove anything. 1) Look how long the pipe is. 2) I know the throttle is at full power, but they don't specify if they reach it slowly or sudden acceleration. 3) The filter is sumerged completely and not a 1/4; 1/2; 3/4 way, which it would be less pressure and possibly not activating the by-pass valve. 4) The test shows the pipe in a perfect vertical way, which is harder for the water to go further because of gravity. Now, like Blackshadow said:

That is if it works