So I bought an Ebay special CAI $40, then bought a K&N cone $45. I am very happy with it. Other than the color and missing the Carb sticker you can not tell this is not a name brand, fit and finish are just as nice. Come to find out my car already had a K&N, but it is VERY nasty and past time to be clean. ***mod edit***

$85 for a nice CAI is not bad.

Once installed I took the car out drove a few miles to get the engine warm and let the tires warm up. While I had this off I also clean my throttle body as well, it was really nasty.

My first impression are WOW. It sounds amazing, yet still just as quite when not on the gas and cruising. Traction in 1st and 2nd seems to be more of an issue, and the throttle response seems to be a little better as well.


The down side is that when taking my bumper off I noticed a crack in the drivers side back right under the headlight, and when I removed the bumper it got worse. It really is not noticeable at because it start right at the headlight and goes under it, but damn I was so happy about the intake but so pissed about the crack. Just my luck.


Anyone else have an issue getting the old intake system out? It took some brute force to get the old intake and tubing out from behind the bumper.

 

Sorry my writing is so bad in that post, LOL. I was tired and could not sleep so thought I would post this up. Guess I need to go to bed.

 

Pictures!!!

 

Why in the world did you take the front bumper off? There is about 10 threads here I think that show you how to do it through the wheel wheel on the drivers side in about 20 minutes max. 40 minutes if you havent done it before.

 

does installing a aftermarket CAI void any factory warranties?

 

I did not reallt search for DIY threads, just did it.

 

its not required? huh... well i jusy say the DIY video for it on youtube, assumed you had to...

and to the OP... which one is it? link to the ebay one?

 

Yes...its 500% easier if you just remove the innner wheel well lining on the front drivers side and you pretty much have full access to everything you need right there!

 

^ What's done is done.

To the OP: yes, the stock intake box was a challenge to get out.

 

20 minutes? Daym I must be slow! I'd say it would take closer to 2 hrs. for a first timer without removing the bumper.

 

I think total time was about an hour, it was a fairly easy install.

Here is the link to the one I bought. At first I was a little uneasy but thought, well it is only $40. The filter was the wrong size, but I threw it away any way.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3AIT&viewitem=

 

Good find. I've been thinking about gettin a cai but couldn't understand why they are so much $$. For my previous car (99 mustang) i bought a brand name one for about $100 but for the TL's some places want nearly 3 time as much. Same goes for exhaust. I see most of the systems available are around $1000. There are stainless true dual cat backs on the market for other cars that are half as much.

 

I think that's because a car like a Mustang, Civic, Accord, etc are cars that are frequently modified. Lets say for argument sake, the R&D costs for an exhaust is $10,000. Sell 10,000 exhausts and the R&D costs for each one is $1. Sell 100 exhausts and the R&D cost is $100. I also think manufacturers assume that "Well, they can afford Acura's and they will pay top dollar for the 'best' performance parts for their cars, so we can charge them $300 for this intake..."

I mean look at a Fujita and an AEM. 2 "name brand intakes". Presumably both of equal quality. One is $200 and the other is almost $300..why?

 

Yeah i thought about the r&d costs too but then i see some people getting custom pipes done with no r&d involved. I realize that some parts require more research then others. I'd like to see a dyno between a complete exhaust from a "brand" company and a custom setup. I don't think they'll be that much if any difference at all.

 

I finally got around to take a pic. I split the supplied hose for the PCV so I had to use a small piece I had in the garage so it looks a little weird. I have not had time to stop by the auto parts store to get a niew hose.

I think when the weather warms up I am going to take it off and paint it black.

 

How low is the filter?

 

Not very low, I think it sits about 1/2 - 1" higher than the standard K&N.

 

Simple....

#1-Brand name recognition
#2-AEM is getting what the market will bear
#3=AEM's advertising costs are much higher I am sure, hense the higher brand name recognition
#4-Fujita was about the last man on the block...and the easiest way to break into an already saturated market is price.

Its simple marketing/economics 101.

 

Does the fact that the AEM have a CARB sticker on it any more costly?
I don't know if Fujita or Injen have the CARB sticker.. but it sure is nice knowing the AEM is CARB certified---just in case.

 

wow it does look really clean. and for 85 bucks not too bad.

 

Thanks, that is what I thought. Basicly got a K&N set up for less than half price.