Opinions: AEM short ram vs CAI

[HondaFan81]

Straight up just want opinions on what peeps here would use on their engine (if you're going NA or for the sake of discussion).

AEM short ram vs CAI. Please briefly state why you'd use on over the other. Trying to make a decision myself...yes I know you get slightly better gains from CAI, but I'm thinking daily driving use...

[accordtunerx]

aem cold air intake... just make sure you get the bypass valve if you are worried about rainwater since you are daily driving it.

even with the bypass valve, you'll still get better gains with the CAI over the short ram.

[BustedLX]

Originally posted by accordtunerx
aem cold air intake... just make sure you get the bypass valve if you are worried about rainwater since you are daily driving it.

even with the bypass valve, you'll still get better gains with the CAI over the short ram.

Actually with a bypass valve you negate the benefit of having a CAI. It's well documented. If you have a Bypass valve your pretty much sucking in hot air from the engine compartment so you might as well have a short ram.

There's a great write up on I think Honda-tech about the performance benefits on both. CAI only offer a 3-4hp gain over the shortram in the 4500-5000 rpm range I beleive. It's something stupid like that.

Nathan (92LX) used to have a link to that write up, maybe if he sees this he can post a link.

[HondaFan81]

i'm just curious in what you all have to say....but I heard as well that there really is no significant gain of the CAI over the short ram...... if you guys convince me enough, I might just get short ram cuz it's cheaper & don't have to worry bout cleaning filter as much


what have peeps said about CAI w/out the bypass in terms of reliability, etc? do u really have to worry about water? I heard you'd like have to totally submerge it to have probs

[accordtunerx]

Originally posted by BustedLX
Actually with a bypass valve you negate the benefit of having a CAI. It's well documented. If you have a Bypass valve your pretty much sucking in hot air from the engine compartment so you might as well have a short ram.

this is proven? do you have a link to this 'documentation'? who wrote the document?

[BustedLX]

Originally posted by accordtunerx
this is proven? do you have a link to this 'documentation'? who wrote the document?

Dude I don't have a link it was in my favorite places on my old computer but I'm pretty sure Nathan (92LX) does he's the one that gave me the link. It's a really long thread from like Honda-tech where they go in detail explaining it, showing dyno sheets, everything. It's no BS. I'll see if I can dig it up.

[xplode]

The short ram is more for the same sound as a CAI.. its not made for the performance aspect of it seeing as the air is very hot.. now during the winter here in michigan a short ram would be just as good as cai, but can you imagine wut a cai would be like in our winters hondafan? shiiiiit, like ice water for the engine we would be ballin... in the summer you might even see some losses using a short ram, if you want performance spend the extra dough and go cai with a bypass valve.

[Fearit22]

From what I have heard you would have to drive through about 1 and a half feet of water to suck water into the engine. I have driven without a bypass valve for a few months through fairly deep water and in lots of rain and I haven't experienced any problems. Just go with a CAI and don't drive through any rivers or go offroading and you will be alright.

[HondaFan81]

you know..seems like the best combo would be AEM CAI ...maybe w/water bypass...but like Fearit said...maybe I don't need it. After all the performance shit I'm redoin my interior & exterior...if I go with my plans...it'll look tits. Anyways, I can modify the front end...with a diff front bumper (aftermarket body kit) or something like that...something that's functional and have brake ducts and allow more airflow into the engine bay....I'm thinking redoing the grill for more airflow and maybe rerouting the aftermarket front bumper with some plastic to run air up and into the engine bay

[JDMCBDriver]

Originally posted by accordtunerx
aem cold air intake... just make sure you get the bypass valve if you are worried about rainwater since you are daily driving it.

even with the bypass valve, you'll still get better gains with the CAI over the short ram.

I agree

[HondaFan81]

I've never had to cross puddles that deep here where I live in Michigan. So I guess I don't need the bypass....maybe I'll get it, maybe not.

Fizzbob: "It'll look tits" means it'll look bad a$$. Maybe it's a Michigan thing, but I've heard it before.

[accordtunerx]

Originally posted by fizzbob7
cool......never heard of it....

me neither. ??

[HondaFan81]

[DrLove'sKuDang]

on a side note, is there a real difference between the overpriced aem intakes and others you can get for alot cheaper?

considering aem intakes are just straight 2.5/3" pipes, i dont see them being any different than a $20 intake off ebay. as long as you throw on a good filter, arent they all the same?

[growguy]

hi.

i have an issue i'd like to take up.

i really want a cold air intake , but when i read an install guide which said you had to cut your car in order to install it turned me off. To me it seems like one of those things you could never get back to stock even if you tried your hardest. Correct me if im wrong, but if i want to one day bring my car back to stock would i be wrong with getting a short ram?

thanks