PDA

View Full Version : eBay Cold Air Intake CAI..."AEM Style"



ADAMnQuickCIVIC
10-19-2003, 11:28 AM
Below you will find a link to AEM instruction for the basic installation, BUT here I will provide a few tips that are ABSOLUTELY NECCESSARY for a successful install. Upon doing a little research i found that the eBay CAI is an exact replica of the AEM CAI as far as the piping itself goes. Though the filter is not a K&N. I reccomend purchasing a genuine K&N filter (find one approx. 5" long x 6" diameter tapered with a 2.5" neck). There are a couple minor (easily overcome) issues to successfully install this on your ep. See Below for details.

Since the eBay CAI is a replica of the AEM CAI you can follow THESE AEM CAI installation instructions (http://www.deepstaged.net/aemcivicsi.htm) .
There were a couple problems which I encountered during the install:

#1.) There is no hole on the intake pipe to install the Air Temperature sensor. Simply go to Home Depot and buy a 3/8" inner diameter rubber grommet (found in the electrical wire section), drill a 1/2" hole into the intake pipe, insert the grommet, and push in the air temp sensor. VOILA! Problem solved. PICTURE:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/pf01f198e8eadb32c87d9f1e93f170a85/fac8ce50.jpg

#2.) The 10mm bolt with rubber absorber used to mount the intake bracket to the frame of the car did NOT fit. I dunno if my car is just "different" or if the part was just wrong, but the only threaded hole in the area was not a 10mm it was significantly larger, so another trip to home depot's hardware department was in order to buy a new larger bolt and washer setup. PICTURE:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/p88080ecfcc572257f298c99c9e38abdb/fac8ce67.jpg

#3.) The hoses supplied are poor quality (very thin) so I reccomend buying some good hose at Pep Boys ($6.00) like the kind that comes with the genuine AEM CAI. The wider diameter hose found in the eBay kit is the proper length so you can get new hose the same lenght, BUT the shorter diameter hose provided is too short, so you will need about double the length the provided you (just a heads up!)

A COUPLE INSTALLATION PICTURES:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/pe54ac14a68514ad1aeea398f515ed1aa/fac8ce5f.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/peeae3dde267656e6ff7a05f32f53013c/fac8ce5b.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/pe06ae8e210bb45a9b609f9d8c8d336cd/fac8ce56.jpg

I also reccomend buying a K&N air filter because the one provided is junk. Buy a K&N that has a 2.5" inlet and is approx 5" long and 5"-6" in diameter.

Whether you chose to buy a genuine AEM CAI or buy the cheap eBay CAI, in my opinion you will get the same exact performance as they are both the same diameter aluminum piping with the exact same bends. The only differences are in the filter itself, and the fact that the eBay CAI needs some minor fabrication. Either one is an easy job for the DIY'er though I'd reccomend just buying the AEM CAI if these issues scare you. But if money is tight and you have some common sense & problem solving skills (well not really, i already told you exactly what to do) and you want a CAI for $150 LESS, then the eBay CAI is for you. You can find them on eBay all day long for $55 + $16 S&H.

Good Luck!

---Adam---

civic_sivtec
01-02-2004, 05:52 PM
hey... im planning on getting one and using my aem cone.. can u tell me the name of the ebay seller that u got urs from.. thanks alot... marlon671@hotmail.com.. pls email me there... thanks..