AEM CAI Intake install...
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
AEM CAI Intake install...
Finished the install on my new AEM CAI this past Friday afternoon. The instructions reflected the actual installation, so on a scale of 1 to 10, I would give them a 9. The circled or highlighted areas the instructions made reference to could not be seen in the photos. It took me about 2 1/2 hours start to finish and I did not have to remove the front bumper. Only had to take off a few screws.
Did a test drive by going on a road trip this past weekend. 300 miles roundtrip and my review is as follows:
It took a little time for the MAF to adjust. Initially, there was a little popping out the exhaust.
Improved my trip gas mileage to 25mpg from usually about 23.5 to 24 mpg highway.
Performance is great. Accelerating hard, the extra little boost and sound are from 4500 rpm up to redline. There is a bigger growl from 4500 to redline. No sucking, wheezing or whistling sound.
Do not have pics yet, but will post when available.
Did a test drive by going on a road trip this past weekend. 300 miles roundtrip and my review is as follows:
It took a little time for the MAF to adjust. Initially, there was a little popping out the exhaust.
Improved my trip gas mileage to 25mpg from usually about 23.5 to 24 mpg highway.
Performance is great. Accelerating hard, the extra little boost and sound are from 4500 rpm up to redline. There is a bigger growl from 4500 to redline. No sucking, wheezing or whistling sound.
Do not have pics yet, but will post when available.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
Filter Placement and Color...
It is not the same setup as Injen. When you take the stock airbox out, there is a substantial area that allows access to the front bumper right in front of the left wheel well. The pipe runs forward at first and then angles down toward this area. The filter is then placed at the end of the pipe in this area.
A couple of things about this I know. This area is not completely sealed. Water could get in from the tires on a rainy day, but it would be very little. Since, I live in the desert where we get 7 inches of rain per year, I am not concerned. Secondly, how much air actually channels in there. If you look through the grille to the right side you will see there is no restriction in this compartment, therefore, I think airflow is comparable.
Unlike Injen where the filter sits behind the grille and is visible, which would require a grill cover from Stillen or whomever to hide that filter, you cannot see this filter. Also, since my car is LeMans Sunset with the brushed aluminum or titanium look accents, the red or blue from Injen would look like *hit. AEM makes blue and red, but right now they also make a titanium color, which is what I bought and installed. In eight to twelve weeks they will also have a polished intake.
By the way, I went to the AEM website at aempower.com and looked at their dyno chart for this CAI. I will confirm that I do get the most HP bump around 5k rpm and up, which is the greatest increase in their dyno assessment at about a 5.5 hp increase.
Will take pictures later today.
Ciao!
A couple of things about this I know. This area is not completely sealed. Water could get in from the tires on a rainy day, but it would be very little. Since, I live in the desert where we get 7 inches of rain per year, I am not concerned. Secondly, how much air actually channels in there. If you look through the grille to the right side you will see there is no restriction in this compartment, therefore, I think airflow is comparable.
Unlike Injen where the filter sits behind the grille and is visible, which would require a grill cover from Stillen or whomever to hide that filter, you cannot see this filter. Also, since my car is LeMans Sunset with the brushed aluminum or titanium look accents, the red or blue from Injen would look like *hit. AEM makes blue and red, but right now they also make a titanium color, which is what I bought and installed. In eight to twelve weeks they will also have a polished intake.
By the way, I went to the AEM website at aempower.com and looked at their dyno chart for this CAI. I will confirm that I do get the most HP bump around 5k rpm and up, which is the greatest increase in their dyno assessment at about a 5.5 hp increase.
Will take pictures later today.
Ciao!
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
From: Wheeling, IL
Re: Filter Placement and Color...
Originally posted by ZunZet350Z
It is not the same setup as Injen. When you take the stock airbox out, there is a substantial area that allows access to the front bumper right in front of the left wheel well. The pipe runs forward at first and then angles down toward this area. The filter is then placed at the end of the pipe in this area.
A couple of things about this I know. This area is not completely sealed. Water could get in from the tires on a rainy day, but it would be very little. Since, I live in the desert where we get 7 inches of rain per year, I am not concerned. Secondly, how much air actually channels in there. If you look through the grille to the right side you will see there is no restriction in this compartment, therefore, I think airflow is comparable.
Unlike Injen where the filter sits behind the grille and is visible, which would require a grill cover from Stillen or whomever to hide that filter, you cannot see this filter. Also, since my car is LeMans Sunset with the brushed aluminum or titanium look accents, the red or blue from Injen would look like *hit. AEM makes blue and red, but right now they also make a titanium color, which is what I bought and installed. In eight to twelve weeks they will also have a polished intake.
By the way, I went to the AEM website at aempower.com and looked at their dyno chart for this CAI. I will confirm that I do get the most HP bump around 5k rpm and up, which is the greatest increase in their dyno assessment at about a 5.5 hp increase.
Will take pictures later today.
Ciao!
It is not the same setup as Injen. When you take the stock airbox out, there is a substantial area that allows access to the front bumper right in front of the left wheel well. The pipe runs forward at first and then angles down toward this area. The filter is then placed at the end of the pipe in this area.
A couple of things about this I know. This area is not completely sealed. Water could get in from the tires on a rainy day, but it would be very little. Since, I live in the desert where we get 7 inches of rain per year, I am not concerned. Secondly, how much air actually channels in there. If you look through the grille to the right side you will see there is no restriction in this compartment, therefore, I think airflow is comparable.
Unlike Injen where the filter sits behind the grille and is visible, which would require a grill cover from Stillen or whomever to hide that filter, you cannot see this filter. Also, since my car is LeMans Sunset with the brushed aluminum or titanium look accents, the red or blue from Injen would look like *hit. AEM makes blue and red, but right now they also make a titanium color, which is what I bought and installed. In eight to twelve weeks they will also have a polished intake.
By the way, I went to the AEM website at aempower.com and looked at their dyno chart for this CAI. I will confirm that I do get the most HP bump around 5k rpm and up, which is the greatest increase in their dyno assessment at about a 5.5 hp increase.
Will take pictures later today.
Ciao!
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Where I have yet to cross another Lemans Z!?
Can wait to see your pics b/c I also have a Lemans! I totally agree with you on the other intake, those color would look like **** and it the main reason I wont be getting theirs. I know that might sound corny to some but I would be embarrassed to open to the hood and even show it off having Lemans and only being able to get red or blue!
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
Answers....
I will answer the questions or comments in order.
Took pics yesterday...will post in a couple of days. I do not use a digital camera...use an SLR, develop film and scan pics. More labor intensive I know, but I am a throwback concerning photography.
To answer mcclaskz...
My car was the prototype for the headers from Billy Boat performance. The price was, well let's put it this way, I let them use my car and for the inconvenience of not having my daily driver for 2 1/2 weeks, they let me keep the headers. They have not yet established a price for the set. There was a dyno run on the car after the install of the headers. However, that dyno run was flawed in two ways, 1) It was run in 4th gear, which is not a 1 to 1 ratio and 2) The VDC was on. I have not yet received an email containing the dyno numbers. I can tell you that they brought more torque between 2k and 4k rpm and a little more overall hp.
KJ-350...
No kidding... That is why I went with AEM.
LBC TRD...
No, this is not the new V2. When I spoke with AEM 2 weeks ago, they informed me they are not even considering the new V2 for the 350Z. Maybe this is to whet our whistle.
Anyway, I took the car in this morning to replace a defective rubber molding on the door and get an oil change. The first thing a few of the guys in the service dept. said to me was "Wow, this does not sound like all the other Z's that come in here!"
My response, "I hope not!"
Took pics yesterday...will post in a couple of days. I do not use a digital camera...use an SLR, develop film and scan pics. More labor intensive I know, but I am a throwback concerning photography.
To answer mcclaskz...
My car was the prototype for the headers from Billy Boat performance. The price was, well let's put it this way, I let them use my car and for the inconvenience of not having my daily driver for 2 1/2 weeks, they let me keep the headers. They have not yet established a price for the set. There was a dyno run on the car after the install of the headers. However, that dyno run was flawed in two ways, 1) It was run in 4th gear, which is not a 1 to 1 ratio and 2) The VDC was on. I have not yet received an email containing the dyno numbers. I can tell you that they brought more torque between 2k and 4k rpm and a little more overall hp.
KJ-350...
No kidding... That is why I went with AEM.
LBC TRD...
No, this is not the new V2. When I spoke with AEM 2 weeks ago, they informed me they are not even considering the new V2 for the 350Z. Maybe this is to whet our whistle.
Anyway, I took the car in this morning to replace a defective rubber molding on the door and get an oil change. The first thing a few of the guys in the service dept. said to me was "Wow, this does not sound like all the other Z's that come in here!"
My response, "I hope not!"
1st = 3.79:1
2nd = 2.32:1
3rd = 1.62:1
4th = 1.27:1
5th = 1:1
6th = 0.79:1
final drive is 3.54:1
http://nissan.jbroadtests.com/Z/2003/index4.php
2nd = 2.32:1
3rd = 1.62:1
4th = 1.27:1
5th = 1:1
6th = 0.79:1
final drive is 3.54:1
http://nissan.jbroadtests.com/Z/2003/index4.php
Originally posted by KJ-350
Can wait to see your pics b/c I also have a Lemans! I totally agree with you on the other intake, those color would look like **** and it the main reason I wont be getting theirs. I know that might sound corny to some but I would be embarrassed to open to the hood and even show it off having Lemans and only being able to get red or blue!
Can wait to see your pics b/c I also have a Lemans! I totally agree with you on the other intake, those color would look like **** and it the main reason I wont be getting theirs. I know that might sound corny to some but I would be embarrassed to open to the hood and even show it off having Lemans and only being able to get red or blue!
--wes
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: ny
I Installed an AEM CAI this weend and i think that it doesnt take in water from the wheel well cuz it doesnt have fin on the inner well for water to get in but it does have a hole from the original setup that water can get into and gte the intake wet and the repositioned wire harness. other than that the acceleration, the power the noise and water bypas works like a charm in that car i cant complain i had the car for 3 days ripped it n rollers and really felt the diff.