ngg

Does anybody know anything about them?and why are they much cheaper than the other brands? Thanks for any advice.

01tl4tl

Look at the design, materials, bend angle, included clamps etc.

Cheap may be poor design- poor airflow.
There are many factors in design of a good CAI
hidden withn its metal

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

Or... we're all overpaying for a bent aluminum tube and a KN cone filter...

Same reason Burberry coat cost $1500. It's about brand names and status.

italian_spak

Ive installed a CAI that my little brother bought me as a present when i got my car, i think its a brand called Ractive, i dont have any problems with it and the car really sounds amazing, i dont know if its cheaper because the metal used heats up faster then the Injen....and might warm up the air that passes trough it to the engine???

01tl4tl

There are pics from members who are testing materials such as Refelctex wrapped around the CAI for that reason.

There is a differance of internal air flow between makers.
If all you want is LOUD Buy Cheap and enjoy

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

Dude... seriously. It's an aluminum tube. You are swallowing whole these intake manufacturers marketing hype. There's nothing special about any of them.

Some folks here are lusting after the AEM V2. Gimme a break. It's the same tube, that steps up to a larger tube for the last 18 inches at the filter side. Anyone with any fluid dynamics understanding (or common sense in this case) knows flow is restricted by the smallest diameter presented, in this case the throttle body. Making a 5,6,7 inch intake will NEVER increase airflow or reduce constriction, as the impedence IS the filter, and the throttle body, not the tube.
The onyl thing that changes is what frequencies (noises) rosonante, due to the flow changing in the dfferent designs.

All CAI's are louder because you've removed the resonance chamber from the stock intake. Sure, flow is "mildly" different between differnet manufacturers, as the most miniscule difference in tube bend will affect the resonant frequencies of the intake sound.

Most intakes are made out of thin walled aluminum tube, some with powdercoat. Others have argued "insulating" the intake will get even more gains, referencing an old Jeep experiment... again, more special koolaid drinking, and until I see some real empircal data on the TL, it will be just that.

Keep thinking you've bought a superior product because it costs more... That's seems to be the BMW drivers mindset, but the truth of the matter is you could fabricate and equally impressive performing CAI for about $30 with dryer hose and a generic cotton/gauze filter.

Buy what looks good and makes you feel good.

chill_dog

A post worth stickying...guess this wasn't/isn't obvious for some people.

aznbo187

iTrader: (1)

So true. The only thing that really matters is a reputable filter. That's why all I have is on is a universal filter, until I either come up with something better on my own, or a system such as the comptech comes out. But even then, I doubt that will produce any gains.

ayethetiense

Kennedy, as always, hit the nail right on the head.

a pipe is a pipe when it comes to the intake. as long as it doesnt rust and fall apart, it just needs to be bent so that it fits in the engine bay and doesnt hit any of the parts inside.

Aznbo187 states an important part as well. the filter is important. make sure it is sturdy and filter well and gets a good amount of air in. The hardest part about this is that the more airflow that comes in, the less clean the air is. companys have to use different design and material elements in the filters to produce the best of both worlds.

AutoExpert

I have just researched about it. I found this Vibrant Cold Air Intake. They are cheap. But, they look good to me. This forum made me interested on searching of different topics I don’t actually know yet. I learn a lot. I’ll see if I could have some more about this.

bigmoetl1

I would go with weapon r underhood I think the filter quality is better if you want a cheaper intake for the tl other then that go with aem, fujita, or injen which ever one gives you the best deal. Most cheap intakes move around and don't fit good. you are paying for good fit, a pipe, and a good filter. You spent good money on your tl use a good intake

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

Thanks guys...
ometimes I think I'm trying to educate a brick wall. Good know some common sense actually exists around here.

italian_spak

i personally agree on all terms with Kennedy, i think Injen, Aem....and other over rated CAI products are just for better cosmetic feature than just a filter or a short ram low cost CAI, in the end you will always end up forcing the same airflow into the throttle

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

There are a few things to consider:

1. Quality. You can argue all you want about cheap intakes but they do not match up to the quality of AEM, Injen, and FUJITA. I have personally sold cheaper intakes and the welds break quickly on all their tabs and the piping is thing and bends easily.

2. Warranty. Good luck with a warranty on a cheap intake. And don't expect customer service.

3. Research and Development. There is a reason some intakes make more power than others. It's called R&D. There is R&D in every intake AEM, Injen, and FUJITA manufacturers.

4. Filter quality!!! Air filtration, longevity, material.

Now I'm not saying that I don't think some of these intakes are overpriced b/c I believe they are. And Vibrant is a company that is on the up and up. Before they weren't so great but they are showing great improvement. I can get their products and I am selling them more b/c I believe they are a good company. But don't mistake cheap no name brand intakes that have no R&D behind them for quality intakes. There is a difference. Every single ebay intake I have seen either doesn't mound up correctly or has cracked welds.

Kennedy

iTrader: (2)

Since we're on that topic, I'm a Fujita advocate.
It has a beautiful mirror polish finish, a quirky cool filter, beautiful weld work, and good quality hardware.

Is it work $200... meh... Are Volks worth $2400?... meh, but I ordered a set of those too.

You know what they say about a fool and his money...

MisterFubar

iTrader: (1)

This is exactly why I bought a used AEM. I'm not paying the 200 and whatever they want for a new one. Picked up the tube with a used filter for 30 bucks off Ebay, bought a overstock filter direct from AEM for 14 bucks(exact same filter... but it says Mopar on it), and spent about 5 bucks on 1/2" hose, clamps, and some hardware to mount it.

I'm happy with the sound and my butt dyno tells me the intake, throttle body bypass, and relocated IAT sensor are good for a little power, but I would have been disappointed if I spent what some people pay for an intake.

ngg

Thanks for everyones advice.