CAI Questions - Honda Prelude Forum

playludesc · 10-25-2011, 11:09 AM

So, I'm doing some shopping and I just have to ask: why would anyone buy a brand-name cold air intake? If all I want is this 2.5-3" diameter piece of bent pipe, why would I pay $230? Why not get some other piece of 2.5-3" diameter piece of bent pipe for $45? I assume something like an AEM intake comes with a very nice filter, but I'm planning on strapping a BPI Flow Stack on the end of it with a probably better filter anyway. All these pipes seem to be bent the same way and seem to have the same texture on the interior of the pipe, what's the $190+ difference for?

Also, I'm guessing I want a CAI for my planned-supercharger because the cooler air should (marginally) increase the life of my supercharger as well as carry more oxygen. Are there benefits to a short-ram intake that I'm overlooking? I assume it has slightly better airflow, but not enough to outweigh the benefits of the colder air. What have you guys used and why? Anyone had both but seen different numbers on the dyno?

H22-Lude · 10-25-2011, 12:15 PM

There are many reasons, whether valid or not. Here are a few:

1.) Fitment, the ~$230 AEM unit or other brand name often will fit much better than the cheaper unit.

2.) Finish, some may have some ceramic based coating for the insulation from heat etc rather than a simple polished aluminum pipe.

3.) Better quality mandrel bends

4.) Genuine K&N filter element (or other equally higher quality element)

This isn't to say that all of these things (and possibly others) are WORTH the difference, but simply the reasons why there is the difference.

I suspect the ceramic coating difference can make a thermal difference however tiny (read: won't really make more power) than a standard polished aluminum pipe.

The only real reason I have generally paid for name brand stuff (over obvious quality differences) is for fitment, I don't like the idea of modifying something that should simply just 'fit'

playludesc · 10-25-2011, 03:07 PM

Fair enough, I don't mind bending stuff a little if it means saving $200. Has anyone ever seen someone put that fiberglass insulation tape on an intake to keep the air colder? Could potentially be worth trying, if you were bored.

indylude18 · 10-25-2011, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H22-Lude

1.) Fitment, the ~$230 AEM unit or other brand name often will fit much better than the cheaper unit.

The AEM takes some work too. You have to make the hole under the resonator box that the pipe goes through bigger, it's not just bolt it on and go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by H22-Lude

2.) Finish, some may have some ceramic based coating for the insulation from heat etc rather than a simple polished aluminum pipe.

Can't say I've seen a ceramic intake for a Prelude. My AEM cai is just plain 'ol aluminum, as are pretty much all of the other available intakes I'm aware of.

Quote:

Originally Posted by H22-Lude

3.) Better quality mandrel bends

Meh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by H22-Lude

4.) Genuine K&N filter element (or other equally higher quality element)

Bingo. I think the AEM filters are actually better than K&N because the AEM's don't require oil when you clean them. Both filter very well and have a lifetime warranty. The filters that come with ebay intakes on the other hand, are garbage. They are made of paper and will often allow almost gravel sized particles through.

That said, you can always buy a cheap intake and an AEM or K&N filter to get the same results at the expensive intakes but for less money.

As for insulating the intake tube? I guess you could, but I really wouldn't expect it to be of any benefit.

playludesc · 10-26-2011, 10:24 AM

Thanks for the input. I expected as much... Can't say I've ever seen a $200 standalone air filter. That's not to say that they don't exist (I'm sure someone, somewhere, was willing to pay the most he possibly could for an air filter and I'm sure someone supplied that demand).

But that does bring up an interesting next question: which air filter is best? K&N? AEM? Something else? It seems like AEM has a sweet deal going, having a washable filter with no oil needed. Doing a little bit of research, it looks like the AEM filters are more restrictive than K&N but somehow manage to increase mpg and overall engine smoothness. There are conflicting reports on which gives better responsiveness. What have you guys noticed in your ludes?

thegamettt · 10-26-2011, 10:43 AM

i had an aem filter on mine for the entire time i had it. never even cleaned it.

indylude18 · 10-26-2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playludesc

But that does bring up an interesting next question: which air filter is best? K&N? AEM? Something else? It seems like AEM has a sweet deal going, having a washable filter with no oil needed. Doing a little bit of research, it looks like the AEM filters are more restrictive than K&N but somehow manage to increase mpg and overall engine smoothness. There are conflicting reports on which gives better responsiveness. What have you guys noticed in your ludes?

Performance wise, you won't notice a bit of difference between the two. Most if not all of the reviews you will find about the filters are ridiculously overhyped. They keep dirt out of the engine. That is all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegamettt

i had an aem filter on mine for the entire time i had it. never even cleaned it.

S-LudeDan · 10-27-2011, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H22-Lude

There are many reasons, whether valid or not. Here are a few:

1.) Fitment, the ~$230 AEM unit or other brand name often will fit much better than the cheaper unit.

2.) Finish, some may have some ceramic based coating for the insulation from heat etc rather than a simple polished aluminum pipe.

3.) Better quality mandrel bends

4.) Genuine K&N filter element (or other equally higher quality element)

This isn't to say that all of these things (and possibly others) are WORTH the difference, but simply the reasons why there is the difference.

I suspect the ceramic coating difference can make a thermal difference however tiny (read: won't really make more power) than a standard polished aluminum pipe.

The only real reason I have generally paid for name brand stuff (over obvious quality differences) is for fitment, I don't like the idea of modifying something that should simply just 'fit'

+1

and just to add. If you are a collector and an enthusiast of quality parts, then you wouldn't want just a bent pipe or some cheap crap ebay intake for 40 bucks (because it really should be costing 10 bucks, thats how cheap it looks).

playludesc · 10-27-2011, 01:03 PM

I'm a collector and enthusiast of money, whp, and torque.

Quote:

and just to add. If you are a collector and an enthusiast of quality parts, then you wouldn't want just a bent pipe or some cheap crap ebay intake for 40 bucks (because it really should be costing 10 bucks, thats how cheap it looks).

H22-Lude · 10-27-2011, 01:43 PM

I should have been more specific about the finish, when I said ceramic coated I wasn't speaking of a heavy coating like for exhaust manifolds but it's a paint on type coating that probably has a ceramic base, again minor detail and probably doesn't make a big difference but thats what costs more (attention to the smaller details)