I have done a search and there wasn't exaclty an answer. I'm am about two clicks away from ordering an AEM CAI. Now this is going to run me about 260 bucks. To me that's a lot of money (I have a kid) So is it really worth getting a CAI as opposed to getting an SRI? I know that the CAI takes in outside, cooler air, and that the SRI takes in air ffrom the engine which is obviously warmer. Is there much of a difference in gains if there are gains at all? Please respond, even if it's just to say how great your intake is, so that I can get an idea of what I'm going to get. Anyway, thanks in advance.

 

Also, if anyone can give some insight about the Weapon R intake. I have heard of this company a while back when I had my CRX and I never thought twice about them. I have read their info on their intakes and they seem to be pretty good, they also have dyno'd results. I guess what I'm trying to get to is which is the best intake. I could always just buy one and if it sucks just deal with it..... but that's what these forums are for right? To learn from others mistakes. Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

maybe this thread will help you.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130960

I returned the Secret Weapon-R and I bought the Injen CAI. The SW-R was a terrible experience for me.

 

Was it just the noise that was your terrible experience, or was a matter of gains that you didn't recieve. Noise I can deal with...... unless it is completely unbearable. I had read your thread earlier before I made this one. I didn't see anything about any gains. Did you notice a power change or was the noise thing to much.

 

i felt some gains with my AEM v2, and i LOVE the sound. Plus i got it used for cheap

 

Chances are I won't be able to get one for as cheap as you did, but I really wanted one of those. Bad thing is, is that is the most expensive intake out there. But I guess you get what you pay for right?

 

Did the price on the AEM CAI go up?? I got mine for 195 shipped a couple of years ago.

 

Oh, and the gains are negligible in terms of overall feel and performance. I mean, it's there, but it's not like headers or anything.

And the sound is addicting. You'll like it.

 

I'm not sure if it was a power gain (You would only gain 5-10hp anyway) or just the awsome roar especially when you hit VTECH. If you read the post carefully I said I loved the sound when I am on the gas. It's when I am at a stop or just driving around town (below 2500rpm) the SW-R intake creates this annoying hum. It's not a pleasing sound like 8 cylinder rumbling at idle when I owned my Infiniti Q45t or Mustang GT. It's not a normal car sound! Just imagine...Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm That's what you would hear unless you are flooring it! I would not recommend the Secret Weapon-R. I returned it, spent a little more on the INJEN CAI, but I still have the roar without the annoying hum. I hope this helps you out!

 

$260 for just an intake? Save your $$$ ... save up a couple hundred more and get sways. You'll feel the difference every time you drive your car (unless you drive in a straight line 100% of the time).

Then again ... I'm one who's more into handling than power. (ie it's all about how you use it ...)

 

dude get a free intake. just take the resonator off and it sounds great.

my friends said it sounded better than my injen intake.

it had a real nice deep growl on top of the tach. deeper than the injen.

 

I have already done this, but I had heard that it doesn't give you any gains... it's just for sound. I have also tried taking off the second intake resonator, but I couldn't find anything to plug that gaping hole with.

 

I definitely understand what your saying. It is about how you use it. I have seen little focus's beat mustang when they racing on curves, but how many people out there really race on curves....... well, on the street at least.

I wanted to drop my TL a couple of inches but I can't find a decent lowering kit, with a good price, so I figure my second mod would be an intake(first mod being slotted rotors) But, if I am reading things right, then there is no significant gain with a CAI unless I get a V2 then I might as well, save up and get some coilovers. What do you tihink?

 

check ebay for the AEM CAI!! yes its not the v2, vary from 200-270 cdn, but keep checkin ebay, some peeps have auctions for em

 

You still get gains from removing the intake resonator because there is that much less restriction, sure you don't have that funnel/tube to channel the air and force it through the throttle body, but there is still less restriction. If you just remove the intake resonator buy a high flow K&N filter and replace the OEM filter. Honestly, the gains won't be quite as much as if you had a CAI, but they won't be that much less. Probabaly, IF I had to guess, the gains from just removing the intake resonator and adding a high flow filter would rival that of a SRI. All after market CAI's give about the same HP gain. The Comptech Icebox probably gives the most, then the AEM V2. Difference between those two is the Icebox just has a funnel that goes behind the bumper which then brings the cold air to a cone filter in a container in the engine bay. It is quieter. The AEM V2's filter is directly behind the bumper and it is louder intake.

 

i didn't notice any difference really when i switched over.


your not going to get huge gains. its like 4 ho or something that you won't even be able to tell.

 

You don't gain that much hp in the fist place, atleast not enough to notice. Butt dyno's are inaccurate to begin with, so even the people who "think" they feel something usually don't.

 

I agree. I don't feel much of a gain, but my new INJEN CAI sounds GREAT!

 

if you want to spend money on something for hp


get a pulley. for a free mod what you have done is gonna sound pretty close to the injen or aem.

your not gonna notice enough hp to make a difference. you will notice a pulley they make a good bit of difference.

 

Who cares about gains and crap. The main focus should be $260 for an AEM CAI?????

Holy shit. I got mine for about $175. Don't buy it for $260.

 

I think I will just get a K&N Filter and focus on something else. An Underdrive pulley would probably be best. I was kinda worried about that but I read about it and it's not a bad deal.

 

260 is too much, I would do the crank pulley , it's less and a bigger difference. For 260 you can get a Comptech Icebox.