Hello everyone, it's me again. I'm the kid that inherited my dad's acura tl if you don't know me. https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/tl-vs-rsx-884816/

Anyway, I'm saving up money for its very first mod. I was thinking about a cold air intake, since it's both performance and sound boost. Now my question is, which name brand should I go for? I read many posts and people recommended getting the AEM V2, that being said I'm poor and getting that would manipulate my budget quite a bit.
The second option that I see is buying a $43 Ebay CAI, remove the filter and add in an Injen/K&n/Aem filter which will add roughly to a total of about ~$90. HOWEVER, how would I measure the size of the filter from Ebay? This would mean taking some risks because I have to buy it first and measure it when it arrive and then buy the name branded filter.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

if you're strapped for cash; then I wouldnt even do this mod.

 

I got some CAI called Spyder performance. All CAI's will be really similar dude, if anything go custom and make your own. It will run you up some money and time, but it'll be better.

 

Just remove the huge restrictive sound baffle box in front of the driver's side wheel well. There's your cold air mod for free. Not sexy, but it does the job.

 

Don't get an Ebay intake. I got one and it wouldn't stop hissing at idle and at cruising speed. Before someone says it was an air leak I triple checked everything and even changed the cheap seals it came with. I just don't think they're designed well. If I were you I would just remove the resonator (a little tube/box that protrudes out of your intake and leads nowhere.) It'll give a nice growl at WOT with very little hiss.

 

I know people who bought the eBay CAI and had no problems
guess its a matter of opinions

 

Thanks for everyone that replied.
I'm getting mix responses here, I feel like if I go the CAI route than I will feel more satisfied knowing that yes this actually improve my car sounds and performances wise. If I go the resonator delete+ K&n airfilter I will save a pretty good amount of money but will it be just as good???

 

res delete + K&N filter.

best bang for the buck as far as intake goes.

 

^^^^+123456789

 

+1 Zillion...

 

^
+2Gazillion!

 

K&n filter it is! Thanks guys

 

What I did is this:

K&N 3" cone intake

2 of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-45-Degree-Bend-Polished-Aluminum-Mandrel-9449-Spectre-/370673854787?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item564de22943&vxp=mtr
1 of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLUE-Air-Intake-Rubber-Hose-3-to-3-Coupler-Coupling-for-Intercooler-MAF-Piping-/261109362092?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ccb54adac&vxp=mtr
and 1 of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CXRacing-3-Aluminum-Joiner-Pipe-for-Intecooler-turbo-4-Long-/390324847595?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ae12c83eb&vxp=mtr
and it fits perfectly in the hole where the resonator was.