porter92

Been thinking about upgrades for my '01 Cavalier Z24 and have been browsing the different makes of cold air intakes available. Since there seems to be quite a large variance in pricing on these units from what I've seen, was hoping someone has some input or a recommendation of which one to go with.

I've seen the following manufacturers offering kits for my car:

AEM - Cold Air Intake
Iceman - Cold Air Intake
Injen - Cold Air Intake
Vibrant - Cold Air Intake
Weapon R - Cold Air Intake
Toucan - Cold Air Intake

Not looking to spend major dollars and my car is just a daily drive, so hope I can land on the right one for my needs. Thanks for any suggestions in advance.

nfg2184

Don't go with the Weapon-R, I got it on my 04 and I had to make a lot of mods to it for it to have hood clearance and to get proper fitment. I've also heard negatives about the Injen too. I'd go with AEM, haven't heard anything good or bad about the others.

__________________
-2004 Cavalier LS
Mods:
Weapon-R Short Ram, Shift Kit, Nitrous Express Wet Kit, Upper/Lower mounts.
Audio:
15" RE .SE sub to BRUTUS 1500, 6.5" RE components in the rear, Apline's in front, all to Pheonix Gold Profile, Alpine deck.


-1997 Sentra XE, 5-speed POS, commuter.

Classicrocjunkie

^^^^ YOu have an ecotec... not a z24. Personally i'd get the cheapest one since they all do the same thing.

__________________
Please don't PM me with your J-body Issues. Post appropriately in the forums,
and I will toss my opinion in your thread if I have anything to help. - Thanks!

2004 Pontiac Sunfire Coupe SE Getrag 5 speed
2009 Subaru Impreza WRX 5-door



www.Rdfabs.com

noshun

Thats also why there is a big variance. The cold Air intakes are longer and take air from a lwoer point where air is denser. the short ram site the filter just behind the battery!

__________________
Red Z24 = Dead, 03 2 door = 15.5 with no traction. low 15's here i come

'Never forget Grasshopper, Not speed, smile!'

porter92

So it would seem the the short rams don't do as much for performance as a CAI, correct?

noshun

In theory but with a proper feed to a Short Ram then you will have a better set up as there is less tubing on a short ram and any extra length even if it is smooth is a restriction. They are both a comprimise as the Short Ram usually breathes worm engine bay air and a CAI breathes denser (colder) air but the air has about an extra foot of piping and another bend two bends to contend with. So a Short Ram with a cold air feed is the best solution but that requires some modification to the front bumper and possibly the front panel. Also the CAI doesn't make as loud a noise as the Short Ram which roars above about 3000 rpm!!! The CAI is also a LOT harder to fit as you have to site the filter inside the fender behind the bumper and also thread the pipe thru the inner fender. It's your call though. I bought a Short Ram, Vibrant in fact, not just because I got it real cheap but I made a heat shild and it is getting a cold air feed thru the fron bumper 6" from the road (the point at which air is at it's densest- hence CAIs going into the fender!) and that should do away with both of the comprimises that each make. It all comes down to price intentions and how capable you are of fitting it. I've posted full instructions on how to fit a short ram on here before as the seldom come with instructions! Giving you advice really isn't a good idea until I know exactly what you plan to do with the car and what you abilities are!

__________________
Red Z24 = Dead, 03 2 door = 15.5 with no traction. low 15's here i come

'Never forget Grasshopper, Not speed, smile!'

liztic

what other mods have you made? i've asked about this in other forums, and have basically been told that if only adding an intake to a stock sunfire/cav it's not worth the money. i've been told the sound will be nice, but no noticeable gain in hp

ImSoYesterday

Noticeable gains are there, exhaust, motor mounts, underdrive pullys, bolt ons like that are the way to get started in basic tuning.

By the way, vibrant intake = nogo. They connect to the black box not the TB.

KustmAce

Just get some pipe and make one. Its way cheaper.

__________________
MAKE ART, NOT WAR

cmjrbking123

yeah go down to your local home depot.

noshun

my vibrant was good! but I'd have a ld9 so....

__________________
Red Z24 = Dead, 03 2 door = 15.5 with no traction. low 15's here i come

'Never forget Grasshopper, Not speed, smile!'

liztic

i was thinking about making one myself....can anyone part that project for me/us?

liztic

nobody?

Classicrocjunkie

^^^ 2.3L Quad 4 or 2.2 OHV ?

__________________
Please don't PM me with your J-body Issues. Post appropriately in the forums,
and I will toss my opinion in your thread if I have anything to help. - Thanks!

2004 Pontiac Sunfire Coupe SE Getrag 5 speed
2009 Subaru Impreza WRX 5-door



www.Rdfabs.com

ImSoYesterday

LD9 2200 engine, the vibrant intake I found doesn't hook up to the throttlebody, it hooks into the black box...