Anyone get their AEM CAI installed? If so, please give us your review. Also, please, someone get their car dyno'ed before and after...if possible.

 

I really do not see the magic that this AEM will offer...the 20hp has to be a myth. If its true I will go build myself a 3" system from exhaust tube and say I get a 30hp gain...a cold air intake is the same pretty much across the board.

 

Well it depends really. They aren't all the same. Have you ever seen the J's Racing intake? They kinda incorporated that into the V2 AEM intake. The purpose is to build up a large volume of air so when you get on it you get good power gains from down low on up to the end of the RPM range. While I will agree that Intakes do offer min. gains they aren't all the same. I have seen dyno numbers where K&N claimed 10whp with their intake system on the STi and it delivered exactly that. I dunno if it will give 20hp gains but anything is possible. I plan on dynoing my car soon to see if I get any gains from my Ice box mod.

 

makes sense. if in fact it does open it up that much more i think i might be making the switch.

 

I thought our TLs came with a factory CAI? I read that this how they boosted the HP to 270 (among other tweaks).

Doesn't the OEM intake scoop cold air from the left bumper opening and duct it to the intake manifold?

What is the risk of getting more contaminates in the engine with an aftermarket CAI? Do they utilize the same air filter?

 

Actually it isn't a true cold air system. If you pop your hood and remove the battery cover you will find a small black cover between the battery and headlight. That small cover acts as funnel/air direction plate. It takes air in through the top of the front grill and directs it down into the intake piping then takes it on a long path through the resonator.

Since I have found dyno numbers representing the power output of the 5AT in stock form I will use that as a base when I dyno my Ice Box mod. Several factors are going to be in the way though. Those factors will be that it is not my actual car on the dyno, outside temps will more than likely vary and it may not be on the same brand dyno. Those factors may play a big role in what numbers my car puts down when compared to the stock numbers I have. So, it's not exactly comparing apples to apples yet it's not like comparing apples to oranges. Only time shall tell. I am going to make my dyno appointment tomorrow for the 26th of March.

~Chris

 

There is a duct from an opening in the front bumper up to the inlet. It's not connected so there are no water concerns - just feeds air to the area you describe in front of the battery. This does make it a true CAI when the car is in motion - but not when sitting still (like on the dyno).

 

While you are correct you are still incorrect. It's not a true cold air intake because it still pulls in hot air from the engine bay. A true cold air gets it's air source from outside the engine bay. Outside the engine bay can mean via a hood scoop, through the fender, or directly through the front bumper. Also when the car is on the dyno it will still be fed air via a large fan to help in cooling. So in a way it will still function correctly just not as well maybe.

 

I don't even think anyone has recieved their AEM intake yet.

 

Most people state that their AEM's will be arriving in early March.

Aegir: Good to see ya around.

 

I am both correct and incorrect? This is starting to feel like work!

At speed, the TL intake is receiving most if not all of its air from the bumper inlet. Acura claims a 15F drop in IAT when the car is at speed - which seems to support that.

 

Right, but a true cold air will still bring in cooler air being it's outside the engine bay even in a situation where the car is stopped. I also believe you can bring in a larger volume of cooler air with a true cold air/ice box system versus the stock setup. While it's a decent stock intake setup I believe it can be improved to the point of being more beneficial.

 

Ditto

RSX-S dyno's 19whp AEM claims and people are getting 18whp avg. just with cai.

 

I can only say from the butt-dyno, but I've driven more than a few cars, all modded. I performed all the mods myself, or through friends, and can say from experience that the AEM gave me WAY more gains(hp & tq) than one would expect. I really was shocked. It does give that kinda whistling noise that some despise-but only at lower rpm's, under 2/10's throttle. I don't mind though. The grunt is good, too. Its quiet under low throttle-can't even hear it, but at WOT, the thing really screams. You really feel it when the v-tec kicks in. I can't wait for SOMEONE ELSE to dyno's theres, cuz' I'm really intrigued, but I'd say for sure more than 10 hp @ 5000 rps & up.

 

Joe - The AEM CAI DOES NOT yet exist for the TL. How in hades did you get ANY "Butt Dyno" info? If you DID get one of these, please tell us where they are available? We've all seen the sites that "Claim" to be getting them and we have SEEN the "theoretical" dynos but NOBODY has yet gotten one..... unless you're the first...

 

It's STILL not out? Sorry, I've been away for a bit. Last year AEM was claiming it would be released in August. Wrong year, I guess. Seems like a long time to wait when there are other products in the market from companies that seem to have their act together...

 

AEM IS OUT! You can find it at many sites.

 

I am expecting it this thursday, will have someone intall it for me this friday and post pictures for you

 

IT IS OUT!!! get with it man.. Mine is arriving Wednesday, will be installed thursday.. pictures thursday night. If anyone is from NJ and needs something installed on their TL let me know.. My friend has his own shop and he is amazing. He does everything himself. Really treats his cars well.. People come from all over the east coast to have him work on their cars.

 

I'll be curious as to whether there is a lot of intake noise.

To the skeptic above, CAI's can make a difference because they:
1- have no air silencer
2- better filter
3- better design
4- maybe bigger diameter

OEM air baffles/silencers are in there to keep the noise down.

 

Which shop???

 

And... why should we care about the air intake temperature when the car is stopped? I really don't need any extra HP when the car is idling.

In fact, due to wheel spin, I really don't need any more HP until the wheels have dug in and the car is moving, say 30 MPH or so.

I am anxious to see an A/B dyno comparison between stock and an aftermarket CAI.

I don't think anyone has commented on the possible downside. Like noise and contaminates. Is this a worthwhile trade-off?

 

OK, you guys say it's out but still have not yet recieved anything. So, I look forward to the details on these units. How EXACTLY are they different from the INGEN stuff? Almost every site I have seen shows them to be identical. What is different. Maybe a pic or two would help us understand. Next, which of you early adopters is planning on doing the dyno (before and after)? Would also like to know where you got them from and what you paid but realize that you can't post that info here. A PM with such details would be greatly appreciated.

 

Well on the 26th of this month I will be dynoing my car with a modded air box to see if it gives an increase in HP/TQ numbers. I however will not be doing a base/stock run but do have numbers that I can use for comparison purposes. The modded air box is quiet like stock and looks similar to that of a comptech ice box. I can't wait!

Like I said it is a decent stock setup but it isn't a true cold air setup. While Aegir stated that Acura claims a 15 degree F drop in temp. with this setup I believe my setup or a true CAI will produce even greater temp. drops. I unfortunately have no way of testing this to prove or disprove it.

 

There is room for improvement with the stock air system. I picked up 8 hp on the dyno with the Injen CAI. The improvement did come at a price. There was no improvement below 4500 and I may have lost some low end torque (resonators do more than reduce sound - they can also be tuned to contribute to low-end torque). The filter location was a pain in the butt and I had to always be aware of water on the road. For those wondering about CAI noise, I found that it produced noises that I considered unacceptable - whistling, slurping, roaring, wheezing... Others reactions to these noises may vary - some may love them, some may love them at first and hate them later, and some may just hate them. The Injen did not meet my expectations as far as what my car should be so I yanked it. The worst thing you can do is live with a change you don't like, or convince yourself you like it when you really don't.

Any other intake pipe with similar characteristics (aluminum pipe with no resonator or air box) is going to produce similar sounds. As far as differences between products, their geometry is going to be dictated by the available filter locations and available space, so basically they are all going to be about the same. I found a picture of the AEM and it looks very similar to the Injen. Look at the pictures and decide for yourself. Personally, I like the K&N because it looks to have the cleanest install (I like the way it handles the PCV and coolant line connections), it looks well constructed, has two mounting points, and it has the flexibility to be used as a short ram.

Anyway, to those who are getting the AEM good luck and I hope it produces the gains they advertise. Someone should head to the dyno for before and after runs. Going to the dyno is always fun. The TL sounds AWESOME on the dyno!

 

Reason I am getting it is because I had it in my previous vehicle and it gave me no whistle sound or slurping sound, but rather a mean grrr sound. I loved it and that is why I am purchasing for the TL. I'm sorry that you hated it, but then again, to each its own And as in terms of water damage, I've never had that problem. But I do want to say one thing about AEM, their customer service were extremely rude, COMPTECH however, were very nice.

 

you should come to the northern jersey meet and show off your what u got under ur hood...

 

Has anyone seen or tried the CAI on e-bay, for the 05TL? Just looking for some of your opinions on these as I have almost considered buying one. Thanks

 

to me that sounds like theres another meaning to it......

 

stretchb69- I bought mine off of e-bay, it came in 4 days for a pretty good price. 'All teams GO'