Hey whats up? Im new on here so I hope to meet some new people who can give me insight on some things. Ive been reading the forums for some time now and figured I better register and begin my series of questions.

First off Id like to know what is the difference with CAI's? I see some AEM on ebay for $280 at the same time I see some BOMZ or other brand for $30-$50. Is there really a big difference or am I paying for a name brand when paying for AEM? Will they all give me about the same amount of horsepower gain +5-10? What are some good CAI to purchase and why? Well thats all for now I hope to hear from some of you. thanks ahead of time

Before this blows up into the people who paid big buck for name brand saying they make more power, I'll say it's a slight difference if any. Obvioulsy, if a manufacturer put in serious time and research into the air flow characteristics of the models they support, their product should out perform a generic, but by how much? Maybe 1hp? Exactly. I'd say the best bet is to get a cheap short ram/cai, and then invest in a high quality filter for it from K&N or Accel or something like that. We're all about saving money. :P

Welcome to the board btw. :thumbsup

I concur.

injen imo. im teh unofficial spokesman ;-)

Originally posted by DR1665
Before this blows up into the people who paid big buck for name brand saying they make more power, I'll say it's a slight difference if any. Obvioulsy, if a manufacturer put in serious time and research into the air flow characteristics of the models they support, their product should out perform a generic, but by how much? Maybe 1hp? Exactly. I'd say the best bet is to get a cheap short ram/cai, and then invest in a high quality filter for it from K&N or Accel or something like that. We're all about saving money. :P Welcome to the board btw. :thumbsup

but wasnt it you a while back that was pissed off at the ebay intakes cuz something on yours broke..like a bracket?

obviously your paying for a brand name, but often times your paying for quality. iv looked at some cheap knockoff CAI's and i have my AEM and the welds as well as overall craftsmanship is overall better. also, a number of people have had fitment issues with the cheaper intakes. the people on ebay can sell them cheaper because their company didnt put in the time and research, but merely picked up an injen or AEM or what-have-you and made a half ass clone.

but the upside, you do pay up to 1/4 of the cost of a name brand.

injendsm your avatar is badass.

agree with ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Originally posted by 97eclipseRS_T
injendsm your avatar is badass.

haha thanks man. something about a hot chick rubbing her big tits that makes me all tingly inside :P

Originally posted by injendsm

Originally posted by 97eclipseRS_T injendsm your avatar is badass.

haha thanks man. something about a hot chick rubbing her big tits that makes me all tingly inside :P

Damn he beat me to it, yes ure avatar is awsome lol

Well thanks guys I appreciate the info, it sounds when it comes to gains in HP they all will have similar results, but I shouldnt be surprised if something goes wrong with a lower priced knockoff. Its worth trying out either way. Has anyone heard much about BOMZ intakes? :

stick with injen imo, you wont be disappointed.

>

Originally posted by Uberingram
user posted image > other user posted image

I agree. And the only "problem" I had with my eBay shitram is that, before I slipped a silicone hose over the battery tie down, it was starting to rub through on my intake tube. I still think the difference is so slight between the two that it doesn't matter. I guess I should have said that you shouldn't be as concerned with the brand as you are with the price fitting your budget. This is to say that, if you really don't want to drop full MSRP on a new AEM V2, you shouldn't feel you're not getting the same performace you would from a used Injen or even a cheapy. For what it does, I just don't see how it's worth dropping that kind of cash. :shrug

I feel the same way about headers and exhausts. The difference at the wheels between a car set up with an eBay short ram with a universal K&N, a Pacesetter 4-2-1, a hand-made 2.5" catback, a $25 Autozone Cherry Bomb glasspack, and a $90 NOPI muffler and a car with brand new AEM v2 (short ram vs short ram), DC Sports 4-2-1 (or 4-1), and full SS Greddy catbackisn't going to be more than 10hp all other things being equal. Of course, do some shopping and you could get the bargain i/h/e (like I've got) for about $300 complete. The other set up might run you close to a grand or more. Just my thoughts. Is maybe an overly generous 15whp worth paying that much for? Not imo. I say, spend the moeny wisely on the cheaper set up, then when you decide you want a turbo (and we all do someday), you won't feel bad selling your old set up for $100 or so. :P

I agree with the turbo vs intake.....but I have a injen and its great....no fitment problems and its a beast....its not worth replacing the egay intakes....not all of us can afford to go turbo.....

It's not about "more power" it's about better build. My AEM is built 1 million times better than a BOMZ or Ebay intake. I'll sell it to you for 100 bucks shipped, 2 months old, and it's red. I'm getting a tsi awd and need money :)

I got this one today:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38634&item=2481183559&rd=1

Good quality, but it feels like it was made for a different car or something. The bracket doesn't seem to line up with anything and I had to remove the battery tiebar to get it to fit. I'm gonna do some modding to get it to fit better.

The Bomz CAI has a bigger air filter and the bracket isn't welded on. No idea if that one might've been better.

thats y u don't egay intakes.....

Update on the intake, after a little more work today I got it to fit perfect. The bracket lined up and I made enough space for the battery tie down as well. I took it out for a spin and the car sounds a little meaner after 4k rpm. Not bad for $30.

I give the bracket a month....lol just playin good luck

i have an ebay intajke myself and it works fine..yeah i would like an AEM/Injen CAi..but i didnt really see a huge differnce between mine and my friends INjenl..i think it a matter of prefernce..you can but somthing name brand..or egt a knock off and take a chance...i lucked out...