Ok....when I purchased my car it had an AEM cai on it. Not really my first choice, but it was already on there so I figured what the hell. Every time it rained though, the car would spit and sputter anytime it went over 3000-4000 rpm. So basically when it rains I have to drive like a little *****. I did research and took it to a shop who told me that it needed a bypass valve to ensure no water was getting through. Which of course makes sense....the intake it practically on the damn ground, and it only acts up in the rain. So I went out and purchased the valve and just had it installed today. Driving home though...I noticed it still sputters and acts up. So what is up? I was thinking (hoping) that maybe it was only because it already had rain/moisture in it from yesterday and this morning. So I'm going to wait and see hopefully it will dry out and I won't have this problem anymore. But if not I guess I'll have to buy a different intake? If this is true, how does anyone use an AEM intake on their cars? Or is there possibly something else to this equation? Any advice guys?

[Edit]
Ok...let it dry out and it rained today....still having problems. Looks like I'm going to have to buy a different intake.....has ANYONE experienced this before??

 

I haven't used a "real" CAI on the Z yet, but honestly you are probably
seeing little to no benefit from it due to pressure loss. The stock intake is well designed. Just buy an '06 OEM airbox and Z-tube from the forum marketplace, throw a K&N filter in it and never have to worry about rain again.

 

perhaps a little water did make it in and the maf got a little dirty. I would try to clean the maf and if it still acts up get either the stock box or a short ram like the k&n 63 series

 

Actually I was thinking of getting a JWT popcharger.....any reason I should go with stock over that?

 

I don't think it has any thing to do with the MAF sensor. When it's not raining it drives like a grand champ, I'm just going to buy a JWT popcharger and put that on. I'm tired of dealing with this. I was hoping maybe someone else had a similar experience with the AEM. Is anyone using it effectively????

 

Dude, clean/dry your entire intake system out. Then make sure you keep that filter away from water before you get water-lock.

 

Replace your current intake with a short intake. Crisis ended. World peace assured.

 

Best advice one could give. I was gonna suggest the same but I've only said it about a million times. Then it sparks a CAI vs. SRI debate

 

I had the same problem with my AEM, the problem is that water splashes on the filter throught the vents in the fender well. It is a poorly designed intake, because your tires splash water all over the filter. You can do one of two things, I first changed the filter out with a K&N and it stopped. Over time I decided to just go with a short ram. All you have to do with the AEM is take off the bottom tube. I actually took that piece off and replaced it with a very small piece so my filter was at an angle still. If you look where the filter is located you will see the slits in the fenderwell I talked about and that is defanitely your problem.

 

Thanx alot man. The intake is VERY poorly designed. I guess it would be great if you lived somewhere where it never rained, or never drove in the rain. I never thought about just shortening the tube...I think I'll try that. It'll save me $$$ on buying a different intake!

 

I have the same issue with my aem intake! Sell me your valve! I think im going to order a kn filter. any idea as far as size to fit?

 

Its been raining so much here in NJ that I havent experienced it on a nice dry day. I will update you. It seems even if you wash your car the filter could get wet?

 

Stop guessing and replace it with a INJEN CAI, no problems. It rests higher so water isn't an issue. I have one for sale in the classifieds for $150. I'll sell it to you for $125. Your torque response is better than others. Certainly cheaper and a superior product than adding more unnecessary stuff.