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Courtesy of Nick
1.Whats the difference between the AEM Cold Air Induction (CAI) (V1) and the V2?
The CAI kit is a true cold air kit (long ram) with the filter located in the passenger side portion of the front bumper where it can draw cold air with no heatsoak. This is a proven kit with guaranteed gains and proves to be the more popular kit.
The V2 sits in the engine bay (short ram), facing towards the cabin side (back) of the engine bay. The AEM V2 Intake utilizes a dual chamber (using two different diameters and lengths of piping), to create multiple frequency sound waves that help charge the cylinders with air throughout the entire rpm range... This will suffer heatsoak whilst in traffic as all open cone filters in the engine bay suffer. A Heat shield and Cold Air feed will help reduce this once on the move.
2.Where is the best place to buy an AEM induction kit?
http://www.funkystyling.co.uk/parts/index.php proves to be convenient and are well priced.
System-R
CPL Racing
ABP Motorsport also all supply the AEM kits and can fit them for you.
3.How easy is it to fit each kit?
The V2 is the easier kit to fit and will take the average person 30mins to fit as itÂ’s a case of removing the stock airbox and connecting the new filter up to the intake manifold and corresponding brackets. Nothing needs to be relocated to fit this kit.
The CAI kit is harder to fit as it involved removing the passenger side front wheel and wheel arch lining. It does NOT need the bumper removing as some people do to fit it, its just not needed and will make the job a lot harder and time consuming.
Nothing needs to be relocated with this kit unlike the similar Injen CAI. The AEM will fit under the battery and fuse box with NO issues. You MIGHT have to slightly move the horn on its bracket depending on where itÂ’s located as some are located in the front bumper and some are located in the radiator grill.
You will need to slightly trim the wheel arch lining to allow it to be popped back in place but this is VERY obvious when it comes to doing it. The fitting of the CAI will vary between 1hr and 3hrs depending on how competent you are.
Neither kit is hard to fit so mechanical novices shouldnÂ’t struggle but there are some helpful members who can offer advice on fitting it should a problem arise or if youÂ’re just not confident enough to tackle it on your own.
4.How much HP will I get from each kit?
This is not an absolute answer, anything from 5-12hp has been seen on dynos in both the UK and the USA but in my opinion the CAI will have a more consistent power gain and the general concensus is the CAI will release more power than the V2 kit.
5.What do they sound like?
The CAI is a loud kit. It growls from about 4k to 6k revs then becomes very loud from the VTEC cross over point to the rev limit. It does sound like its rattling when it hits 6k revs but this is completely normal. It will hiss when you turn the engine off, again this is completely normal. It will also hiss when the engine is slowing at certain revs and again this is completely normal. There will be a “chunk” noise if you prod the throttle aggressively at low revs and again this is completely normal and is a feature of open cone kits.
The V2 is probably as loud as the CAI but is not as deep toned. It again will vibrate at 6k revs which should just sound like an exaggeration of the normal VTEC crossover. It will also hiss when the engine is turned off and have a quieter hiss when the engine is slowing from revs again.
Anything very metallic might indicate there is something a bit loose so check all bolts/hose clips are done tightly. If they are then check your intake manifold cover and tighten that as that “can” rattle. If all these are tight then your are probably just getting the normal VTEC noise with an open cone.
V2 Video
http://civictype-r.co.uk/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=64742&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=aem
CAI clip to follow.
What should the CAI kit come with
The bits included should be:-
Air Filter
Main tube of the CAI
rubber tube for fixing the main tube onto the throttle body
2 rubber tubes, one larger than the other for oil breather etc..
one rubber seal to fit the air sensor into
nuts and bolt with a rubber fixing on to mount the tube in the wheel arch
jubilee clips for fixing the filter, throttle body and main tube fixing and oil breather etc.. tubes.
6.What does each kit look like?
CAI:
Pictures courtesy of Superfly
V2 Kit
http://images3.fotopic.net/?iid=y37kn9&outx=800&quality=70
http://images4.fotopic.net/?iid=y37knd&outx=800&quality=70
7.Will an RSX type-s kit fit my car?
Yes, these are the kits you should be using.
8.How often do I need to clean the filter?
Depending on driving conditions approximately every 6k miles.
9.Will fitting these increase my fuel consumption?
Only due to the addictive noise they make in VTEC you will use more as you will probably be driving harder initially.
10.Will these invalidate my warranty?
Not entirely. Any part that fails due to the modified part will have no warranty. If youÂ’re rear dampers failed then they would be covered due to be unconnected with the modified part.
WITH ANY MODIFICATION YOU RUN THE RISK OF INVALIDATING YOUR WARRANTY
11.Which kit is the best?
This is a matter of opinion but the CAI kit will suffer no heat soak issues in warm weather and pretty much everyone who has one will vouch for the noticeable Torque/HP increase.
The V2 has some fans but it is the less popular of the 2 kits and it is also considerably more expensive. But on the move you will get gains even more so with a Cold air feed and a heatshield.
I would personally go with a CAI kit everytime out of the 2.
12.Are there any downfalls with either kit?
CAI: Harder to fit, the chance of getting water on the filter (although slim) in heavy heavy rain or deep puddles. More difficult to clean the filter due to location in bumper.
V2: Will suffer heatsoak in warm weather/standing traffic. More expensive than most other short ram kits. HP gains are not as widely recognised.
Fitting instructions for the V2
http://rsx-s.com/aem/AEMv2.htm
1.Whats the difference between the AEM Cold Air Induction (CAI) (V1) and the V2?
The CAI kit is a true cold air kit (long ram) with the filter located in the passenger side portion of the front bumper where it can draw cold air with no heatsoak. This is a proven kit with guaranteed gains and proves to be the more popular kit.
The V2 sits in the engine bay (short ram), facing towards the cabin side (back) of the engine bay. The AEM V2 Intake utilizes a dual chamber (using two different diameters and lengths of piping), to create multiple frequency sound waves that help charge the cylinders with air throughout the entire rpm range... This will suffer heatsoak whilst in traffic as all open cone filters in the engine bay suffer. A Heat shield and Cold Air feed will help reduce this once on the move.
2.Where is the best place to buy an AEM induction kit?
http://www.funkystyling.co.uk/parts/index.php proves to be convenient and are well priced.
System-R
CPL Racing
ABP Motorsport also all supply the AEM kits and can fit them for you.
3.How easy is it to fit each kit?
The V2 is the easier kit to fit and will take the average person 30mins to fit as itÂ’s a case of removing the stock airbox and connecting the new filter up to the intake manifold and corresponding brackets. Nothing needs to be relocated to fit this kit.
The CAI kit is harder to fit as it involved removing the passenger side front wheel and wheel arch lining. It does NOT need the bumper removing as some people do to fit it, its just not needed and will make the job a lot harder and time consuming.
Nothing needs to be relocated with this kit unlike the similar Injen CAI. The AEM will fit under the battery and fuse box with NO issues. You MIGHT have to slightly move the horn on its bracket depending on where itÂ’s located as some are located in the front bumper and some are located in the radiator grill.
You will need to slightly trim the wheel arch lining to allow it to be popped back in place but this is VERY obvious when it comes to doing it. The fitting of the CAI will vary between 1hr and 3hrs depending on how competent you are.
Neither kit is hard to fit so mechanical novices shouldnÂ’t struggle but there are some helpful members who can offer advice on fitting it should a problem arise or if youÂ’re just not confident enough to tackle it on your own.
4.How much HP will I get from each kit?
This is not an absolute answer, anything from 5-12hp has been seen on dynos in both the UK and the USA but in my opinion the CAI will have a more consistent power gain and the general concensus is the CAI will release more power than the V2 kit.
5.What do they sound like?
The CAI is a loud kit. It growls from about 4k to 6k revs then becomes very loud from the VTEC cross over point to the rev limit. It does sound like its rattling when it hits 6k revs but this is completely normal. It will hiss when you turn the engine off, again this is completely normal. It will also hiss when the engine is slowing at certain revs and again this is completely normal. There will be a “chunk” noise if you prod the throttle aggressively at low revs and again this is completely normal and is a feature of open cone kits.
The V2 is probably as loud as the CAI but is not as deep toned. It again will vibrate at 6k revs which should just sound like an exaggeration of the normal VTEC crossover. It will also hiss when the engine is turned off and have a quieter hiss when the engine is slowing from revs again.
Anything very metallic might indicate there is something a bit loose so check all bolts/hose clips are done tightly. If they are then check your intake manifold cover and tighten that as that “can” rattle. If all these are tight then your are probably just getting the normal VTEC noise with an open cone.
V2 Video
http://civictype-r.co.uk/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=64742&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=aem
CAI clip to follow.
What should the CAI kit come with
The bits included should be:-
Air Filter
Main tube of the CAI
rubber tube for fixing the main tube onto the throttle body
2 rubber tubes, one larger than the other for oil breather etc..
one rubber seal to fit the air sensor into
nuts and bolt with a rubber fixing on to mount the tube in the wheel arch
jubilee clips for fixing the filter, throttle body and main tube fixing and oil breather etc.. tubes.
6.What does each kit look like?
CAI:




Pictures courtesy of Superfly
V2 Kit
http://images3.fotopic.net/?iid=y37kn9&outx=800&quality=70
http://images4.fotopic.net/?iid=y37knd&outx=800&quality=70
7.Will an RSX type-s kit fit my car?
Yes, these are the kits you should be using.
8.How often do I need to clean the filter?
Depending on driving conditions approximately every 6k miles.
9.Will fitting these increase my fuel consumption?
Only due to the addictive noise they make in VTEC you will use more as you will probably be driving harder initially.
10.Will these invalidate my warranty?
Not entirely. Any part that fails due to the modified part will have no warranty. If youÂ’re rear dampers failed then they would be covered due to be unconnected with the modified part.
WITH ANY MODIFICATION YOU RUN THE RISK OF INVALIDATING YOUR WARRANTY
11.Which kit is the best?
This is a matter of opinion but the CAI kit will suffer no heat soak issues in warm weather and pretty much everyone who has one will vouch for the noticeable Torque/HP increase.
The V2 has some fans but it is the less popular of the 2 kits and it is also considerably more expensive. But on the move you will get gains even more so with a Cold air feed and a heatshield.
I would personally go with a CAI kit everytime out of the 2.
12.Are there any downfalls with either kit?
CAI: Harder to fit, the chance of getting water on the filter (although slim) in heavy heavy rain or deep puddles. More difficult to clean the filter due to location in bumper.
V2: Will suffer heatsoak in warm weather/standing traffic. More expensive than most other short ram kits. HP gains are not as widely recognised.
Fitting instructions for the V2
http://rsx-s.com/aem/AEMv2.htm