installed an AEM short ram intake in my 2001 civic ex, i'm sure i did everything correctly, any ideas as to why my engine light would be on?

 

IAT sensor is likely (intake air temperature). It is the small sensor that fits tightly in the grommet on the back (or top) of your intake tube near the throttle body. The first time I put an aftermarket intake on a car that light came on and I turned off the car, unplugged the iat sensor, plugged it back in and started the car and the light didn't come back... but I think that was mostly luck...
A different time I installed an intake on a friend's car the light came on (for iat sensor)and I erased it with a scan too and it did not come back...
The generic code reader/scan tools have gotten pretty cheap, or you can borrow one from autozone or advance auto parts.
There are other things that it could be, but iat sensor would be my first guess.

 

WOW. stupid stupid small mistake. fixed. thanks. it was the IAT sensor

 

its cool... if thats the dumbest mistake you ever make, you're doing great.
glad it worked out pretty easily.. enjoy the 1 additional hp!