rsx aem cold air intake

i want to get an aem cold air intake for my 2002 rsx 5 speed but am not sure if it is worth the $200. Any opinions out there?

Yes, it provides a nice hp number for not that much cash. However i'd go for Injen as it comes with a windshield washer bottle relocator kit and a few other things. Also, ClubRSX sells the gunmetal intake for a very good price.

CAI's are mostly hype. If you do some real research instead of falling for ridiculous numbers spewed out in ads you'll see for yourself. (Read up on Steven Sakai's post race dynos in 2000 etc...) Might as well get a cheap and easy SRI instead. No relocating washer bottles or any of that bullshit...
But hey, it's your time, your money, your car...

The problem with the SRI on the RSX is that in the summer and after a few runs you're losing HP vs. stock. SRI's are only good for looks and sound for a cheap price.

The problem with the SRI on the RSX is that in the summer and after a few runs you're losing HP vs. stock. SRI's are only good for looks and sound for a cheap price.

I'm gonna have to respectfully disagree with you there CC. Longer tube length from opening to TB (ie CAIs) creates faster air flow/ higher pressure differential. Therefore, peak volumetric efficiency is reached at a lower rpm. In plain English, the CAI "spikes" at a lower rpm, then levels off. The SRI "spikes" at a slightly higher rpm and levels off. This is the reason most average drivers feel like the CAI is superior- slightly increased throttle response within the most widely experienced (low) rpm range. Thus the "No way, CAI kicks ass!" comments :biggrin: The truth is that once you get into somewhat higher rpms, the SRI will surpass the CAI before both intakes basically become dead even around redline. It has been proven in dynos at Championship Import races (Steve Sakai in the year 2000). At a certain rpm with NA intakes, temp. is irrelevant from a fluid dynamics standpoint. If you like to drive in third gear all the time, get the CAI, otherwise, save money and get the SRI. In the end, they are both basically the same, one is just more expensive. Also, I feel compelled to mention that the car with the SRI ended up taking the Championship over the CAI in 2000 :evillol: Nothing but love for the Honda CAI people, though- when it comes down to it, we're all in it for the same reasons....

That's a very good point about the peak performance, but the thing is, the SRI's suffer from heat soak due to their proximity to the engine - that's why they gradually lose power as the engine gets hotter.

No, I understand what youre saying- but there comes a point where air temp due to heat soak is negated by the sheer volume of air allowed to pass into the TB by the SRI. Thats when the tube length (and some will argue tube diameter) comes into play. It's all about advanced physics/fluid dynamics which I don't claim to understand 100 percent- but this much has been dyno proven. I didn't just make it up because I have a hard-on for SRI's :iceslolan I want the same thing you all want, the best performance and the most accurate info out there. I think the CAI might be slightly more fun for certain applications like most city and stop and go street driving, but for higher rpm highway and track driving, you might as well get the SRI. Of course, it's somewhat irrelevant if you dont upgrade h/e too.

No, I understand what youre saying- but there comes a point where air temp due to heat soak is negated by the sheer volume of air allowed to pass into the TB by the SRI. Thats when the tube length (and some will argue tube diameter) comes into play. It's all about advanced physics/fluid dynamics which I don't claim to understand 100 percent- but this much has been dyno proven. I didn't just make it up because I have a hard-on for SRI's :iceslolan I want the same thing you all want, the best performance and the most accurate info out there. I think the CAI might be slightly more fun for certain applications like most city and stop and go street driving, but for higher rpm highway and track driving, you might as well get the SRI. Of course, it's somewhat irrelevant if you dont upgrade h/e too.


You seem to know alot about intakes so maybe you could anwer me this question. Since there isn't any air box and the air filter is directly exposed to air from outside the engine is there an increase in damaging particles, such as dirt, entering the engine due to the increase flow rate of air.

You seem to know alot about intakes so maybe you could anwer me this question. Since there isn't any air box and the air filter is directly exposed to air from outside the engine is there an increase in damaging particles, such as dirt, entering the engine due to the increase flow rate of air.


You want to know if there is greater risk involved due to the fact the filter element is not enclosed? No, as long as you keep the element oiled properly, there is no danger. The filter itself may get a bit dirtier due to it's exposure, but unless youre off-roading or something, it's easily manageable. The filter won't really let "dirt" particles through regardless, unless its been damaged/punctured due to human error.