please help me astray from name brands

hey guys, i've decided that for now i want to get change the stock air intake to something with more performance. the problem is, i seem to be leaning towards AEM. if i go with this, i'll be purchasing a short-ram intake for a 1998 Z24 manual trans. it's more expensive then say Toucan or Weapon R, etc. so i am just curious if it's worth the price for performance. For the future, i still do plan on moding my car for better performance.

i had another question though. after intake and exhaust, what's really left to help with engine power without looking at compressors or n2o?

also, adding a hood scoop, would that help with performance to the short ram intake (even though, it'd probably be mounted in the centre of the hood...so still not directly feeding the intake)?

thanks again for any input

CAI

http://www.rdfabs.com/24_caint.asp

WAI

http://www.rdfabs.com/24_srint.asp

If you want to go faster, make everything that turns lighter, cams, soild engine mounts. That should cover quite a bit for you.

when it comes to intakes it doesnt matter what brand you get cuz they all do the same thing...there are no moving parts so you wouldnt have to worry about quality..cuz if an aem intake gives you 5hp an apc will give you the same thing..they all look the same..they are all made of the same metal..the filters all look the same...same thing in everyway...just different brand name which is what you would be paying for...like crj said..cold air intakes are good...but you got the idea..if you want a better performing intake i would go with the ram air with a well positioned scoop will give you the best gains since your cold air isnt traveling thru about 3-4 feet of tubing with a CAI...but to each his own, its your car do what you want with it.

good luck

so then if it really doesn't matter?

can i go wrong with buying off of ebay?
it's pretty hard to find a decent air intake for a 2.4L manual trans. for a good price.

the first and easy cheap mod - a good intake , but also change exhaust , either just the muffler , or whole thing , w/low restriction cat ! easy in easy out - really frees up alot of tourqe being held back - short rams are really no good , just look nifty