Intake Problem - Honda Prelude Forum

importzboi · 03-07-2002, 08:25 PM

I was told by someone that all Cold Air Intakes all do the same thing and are all the same. He advised me to buy an intake off of eBay and use that instead of buying an AEM intake, because they all do the same thing and all I am doing when buying an AEM intake is buying the label. If you are not comfortable in replying... PM me.

Brady92/4WS · 03-07-2002, 09:25 PM

What the other companys do is buy an AEM intake and make an exact copy of it, that way they dont have to pay for resaerch and devolopement. So basically yeah they are the same if you ask me, but im sure some people dont think so. Also the reason why ebay intakes are even cheaper is because they places that sell them dont have to "push" merchandise or pay employess or have any costs if all they are is a distributor out of there basement so they can sell an offbrand intake ($150 at my local import shop) for something like $75.

Machine Head · 03-07-2002, 10:23 PM

this my freind is the truth.. there may be some small qualities that the offbrands leave out..but for the most part they all do the same thing..just be aware of pipe diameter when ordering cuz some have very narrow pipes while others are identical to AEM.

Heck you could have a muffler shop cut and bend you some pipes and buy the clamps/connectors at Home depot and you'd have the same shiznit for even less

With AEM and Injen you are pretty much paying for R&D and those big flashy ads in Sport compact car..oh yeah and where house space

94prelude.si · 03-17-2002, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by importzboi
I was told by someone that all Cold Air Intakes all do the same thing and are all the same. He advised me to buy an intake off of eBay and use that instead of buying an AEM intake, because they all do the same thing and all I am doing when buying an AEM intake is buying the label. If you are not comfortable in replying... PM me.

I think that you should go with the AEM CAI or something that is longer than the stock ones Cause the longer the tube thingy the colder the air will be when it gets to the engine. It is a bit more expensive, but I think it is worth it.

ac

PreludeNYC · 03-17-2002, 05:41 PM

AEM is zirchonia powder coated to keep the air cooler. I doubt the other "generic" companys have that to

Like I always said, You get what you pay for. you pay for something cheap, you get cheap ****.... its my motto.

-Jose

justanotherlude · 03-17-2002, 06:24 PM

So what if you got a deal, but you paid cheap?

ludethugs · 03-17-2002, 06:52 PM

Most CAI sold on ebay are the standard aluminum intake unlike name brands which use special materials for cooling... so you are paying for that too... unless there is an overall comparison, you really won't know if the other is better or just the same as the cheaper ones.

brendon2k · 03-18-2002, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PreludeNYC
AEM is zirchonia powder coated to keep the air cooler. I doubt the other "generic" companys have that to Like I always said, You get what you pay for. you pay for something cheap, you get cheap ****.... its my motto.

-Jose

I bet the special poweder coating actually does much.

pter · 03-18-2002, 03:32 PM

Not all copycat brands are created equal!

I bought a Focuz short ram. Yeah, not exactly what you're asking, but in the same ball park. Anywhoo, first issues were that fitment wasn't perfect. Actually that was the issue in a bag. Due to that issue, the piping would fall off. Then the filter. Finally secured that mo'fo with all sorts of clamps and do-hickeys from Home Depot (home of the home-made CAI). Then what happens? Yep, bad fitment rears it's ugly head again. The aluminum pipe rubbed against the shock tower area and made a nice 2" gash right through (the pipe, not the shock area, you know where the strut bar goes on). Pissed, me? How'd you guess?

Stock went back in

ludethugs · 03-18-2002, 03:54 PM

i got a $20 intake on ebay with $20 ship which works like a mofo!

instead of buying a $100+ intake i got this one and it works just as goood IMHO... cost hell of a lot less too. Made of the same materials, filter looks the same as the K&N... makes a bad ass sound whenever i rev the car and i am totally happy.

I think it's different for other types of intakes such as the CAI since it would rely more on materials used to actually make it an authentic CAI... most copy cats just use long pipes and that's it... and they're still pretty pricey for copy cats $70+

...also i got burned on ebay a long time ago for buying a cheesey intake which kept on falling off.... and i also got a indiglo light gauge which was very cheesy because it didn't fit properlly even though it was supposed to be for my car! Augh! the price you pay when buying on ebay...