Header, Intake, & Exhaust - Best Intake 2 Buy

I'm thinking abt buying an CAI for a '98 Civic Coupe in the next few months or so. Just wondering what brands are considered top of the line and don't cost so much. The brands I'm looking at getting now are Greddy, AEM, Injen, or K&N.

I would go with the Injen but it cost a little bit of money, but if you want to go wioth what is cheap go with K&N

AEM or Injen.</P>


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-EH2</P>

AEM gets my vote

I really like AEM's CAI as well and have read some good reviews abt that product. If anyone has installed it themselves, is the manual AEM gives you straightforward making the installation simple as possible for a newbie?

I was originally leaning towrd the AEM short Ram but now I've heard that it doesn't do too much to help, but the V2? is supposed to give much better performance.</P>


This is all hear-say for now.</P>


Still looking into it.</P>


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I'veread that there isn't too much performance increase (1-3 hp at most) from the V2 compared to the 1st gen AEM CAI. Personally, I would get the 1st gen coz it's cheaper and is on par with the V2 in performance. </P>


Butcomparing the short-ram intake to the V2, I'm sure there is a noticable improvement in the performance you will receive.</P>


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Btw,what are the benefiting factorsis it to get a header (DC Sports 4-2-1) along with an intake such as the AEM. Will I see a noticable improvement in performance?

The quicker u can get air in and out... the better off u will be. If u have the header w/ an intake and a catback exhaust then u will feel it. If u get just a header... it wont be too noticable, but something to build off of.

Yah gotta start somewhere and the least expensive bang for the buck is the intake.</P>


After that it's pipes and headers, and those start up there in price.</P>

Also something to consider is underdrive pulleys... relatively cheap ($70ish) and not too hard of an install. It'll get u a few HP.</P>

Hey i would go AEM Cold air that wat my girlfriend has on her civic. It works wonders. Just make sure you dont drive tru deep water. You can buy a bypass vavle but i herd that takes some hp out of your motor.</P>


Best bang for the buck would B NOS!!</P>

don't go with mitrous uless you build up the motor

A bypass valve will only hurt your hp if u install it wrong. Reason being, b/c u have to cut the intake in order to put it in, if u cut wrong or leave anywhere for air to escape then thats when u start losing hp. All in all they are a good investment to prevent Hydrolocking (that thing that EVERYONES friend has seen done, but u never have. haha)

Underdrive pully ? ? <IMG src=smileys/smiley5.gif border="0"></P>


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Yeah, no nitrous</P>


this is primarily a commuter car, not a screaming weekend warrior.</P>


I need reliablity but want to help to car live up to it's potential when needed / wanted.</P>


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Underdrive pully ? ? <IMG src=smileys/smiley5.gif border="0"></P>


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Underdrive Pulley Kits are designed to replace the pulleys on both the alternator and power steering pump. They are lighter and bigger in diameter. This is what they look like:</P>


http://www.vpower.net/catalog/images/03pulley.JPG border=</P>

no underdrive pulley if you are putting in a stereo

no underdrive pulley if you are putting in a stereo </P>


Thats true, with a high wattage stereo. The alternator will pull on it too much if u are running a kick @$$ system, but if your staying with somewhat mediocre tunes than its a good mod.<IMG src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0"></P>


Thanks for catching that slim, I'd hate to steer someone in the wrong direction.</P>

yeah i found that one out the hard way....when put my pulleys on after my swap...my headlights would dim and the stereo would sound like $hit. I tried so many different things before i realized it was just the pulleys. Just a heads up for everybody so they dont get freaked out if things start actin funny</P>

Go with the AEM. I have the Aem pulley kitand a stereo setup in my car. I've not had a problem yet, but i also heard you should not do that.

yeah... I think its different with every car. It all depends on the size of the alternator, the battery, and the wattage you are pulling with your amp. Some people have luck with it.Congrats!! your one of them!

Never thought of the pullies would do so much.</P>


HAH !</P>


That's why it's good to have forums like this.</P>


I'm not putting in any "big sound' system but I think I'll avoid the pully idea for now.</P>


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What does everyone think abt the AEM short ram intake. Is there a noticable difference b/w this and the AEM CAI in terms of performance? Alot of ppl seem to like the CAI so I might get that one eventually.

I posted before:</P>


The short ram is instant power and sounds way better</P>


the CAI actually has a "lag" because the tube is longer. It takes cooler hot air from your engine bay. It also has a higher possibility of getting hydrolocked and f'ing your engine up. The VTEC engine is geared to have all itspower in the high RPMs soif I were u, I go short ram for that instant pick me up.</P>


Also, I have an AEM short ram on my ride and love it!</P>

polo, I knew I read abt short ram intakes on here before (thought it was this thread) but for some reason I didn't find it. Thx again for the info on the difference.</P>

No prob