AEM COLD AIR INTAKE REVIEW

COLD AIR INTAKES 101

Cold air intakes are a common modification because they tend to be relatively cheap, easy to install, look good and often improve engine sound significantly. All in all, a must have in every tuning project. For those of you who are totally sure of installing a new intake system for your car, you should realize one fundamental point before you modify anything on your ride. As a rule of thumb, always ask why the stock setup is the way it is. Engineers invest numerous hours designing an intake system to be the way it is. Stock set-ups are typically designed foremost with noise restriction in mind. In addition, they are also designed to preserve your stock air filter by protecting it from harmful elements such as water, dust and other road debris. When you replace your stock intake unit, note that you are compromising these important attributes. You should also realize that your power band will be affected as well. A cold air intake will often improve upper power band at the cost of diminishing power in the lower rev range. However, power gains typically vary in the range of 0-15 HP in the top end. In some forced induction applications, you might even be harming your power band all together. If you're not after high end power gains, you probably shouldn't get a cold air intake system.

AEM'S SYSTEM

Common weaknesses in AEM's Cold Air Intake system relate to weaknesses in the filter flange. Other common complaints relate to the quality of the filter itself (it's not always a K&N). While all CAI filters get dirty far more easily then the stock set-up (reasons stated above), the filter provided in the AEM kit was reported to be particularly weak and fragile. Common complaints relate to the filter flange itself. This can be particularly troublesome considering that replacement filters for these units can cost as much as $100. I've also heard complaints about the quality of the aluminum itself. Some people reported that compared to other cold air intakes, AEM's are made of a much thinner aluminum. For those who constantly work on their car, this can be a headache as the intake requires constant removal.


CONCLUSIONS

All in all, there isn't much that differentiates the AEM kit from its competition. It's basically redirecting intake from the top of the engine to the bottom of the car. Note that this does imply that air will have to travel through allot more piping to get to the engine. Hence, this is why you will lose low end power. AEM kits are common because they make a broad range of applications for different types of cars. But if you own a common car like a Honda Civic, chances are that you'll find other kits which are much cheaper. Take your time to shop around before you jump into the AEM kit. Most of these kits will use the same routing to get to the cold air so they'll be more or less the same on the dyno. However, be careful so as to avoid a brand that comes with a cheap filter. If dirt or dust does make it's way into your engine, you could compromise your throttle body, mass air flow sensor and other vital engine parts. One more thing, wider isn't always better with intake systems but you can trust that AEM chose an optimal diameter.