Iceman vs. AEM

[Cancivicd16]

Being somewhat new in the whole aftermarket thing, I have a question about CAI's.
Which is better, an AEM CAI or an Iceman CAI. I know that the Iceman can be converted into a short-ram very easily and because I live in a snowy city, I might be able to keep some sand and salt out of my intake in the winter. Is this possible or would it make any difference at all when compared with the AEM CAI which is strictly a CAI? I don't know exactly where the filter end of the intake will sit. Hopfully someone can help me.

[cnycivic]

a few answers and a few suggestions ... first the aem is slightly better than the iceman in my opinion ... but , forget my opinion ... for the 97 ex yer intake on the CAI will be inside yer passenger side fender there is a hole that you extend the pipe through and it fits down by the wheel ... but aside from that ... y do you want an intake ... if its for power dont get a short ram ... little to no added power ... if yer looken for sound ... still i would go with the CAI but ... thas my opinion ... and for the winter y dont you just keep the stock air box on ... that would solve yer problems all together ...

[Cancivicd16]

I wanted the CAI for performance and I thought that if I got the Iceman I could convert it into the short-ram in the winter. I thought that this would keep some sand out of it, but if this would not work I guess I could just put the resonator back in. (I don't want to). What should I do?

[CivSiGuy]

no need to convert a CAI to short ram for winter. No water is gonna get anywhere near that filter. Besides, you get the extra hp gain from CAI in 10 degree weather

AEM CAI, looks better and performs better. Cheaper too

www.importhorizon.com has them cheap

[iLLuCiv99]

The AEM CAI also sounds real nice!! hehehe

[sparq]

Originally posted by iLLuCiv99
The AEM CAI also sounds real nice!! hehehe

Oh did he ask for your opinion????

Just playin man, I agree AEM sounds nice... im not a fan of Iceman ~ they make too many bogus claims about their intakes!

[Cancivicd16]

Hey everyone, thanks for your help - AEM it is.

[Rob80]

I have an aem cai and an airbypass valve that I never installed. I took my civic through puddles and stuff and no problems. If you hit a big puddle or something just let off the gas so the water can drain out. If not put an air bypas valve on it. Sand and salt will slow your air down but you can easily take the filter off and clean it with the k&N recharge kit.

[j.fuggi]

Originally posted by Rob80
I have an aem cai and an airbypass valve that I never installed. I took my civic through puddles and stuff and no problems. If you hit a big puddle or something just let off the gas so the water can drain out. If not put an air bypas valve on it. Sand and salt will slow your air down but you can easily take the filter off and clean it with the k&N recharge kit.

is this dirt you speak of the reason my CAI seems quieter? it used to hiss more and used to suck and scream more too. i think my filter is dirty. what is this rechage kit. where to buy it?

[GScivic7]

can you guys tell me if there is any truth in this? i went to the local performance shop, actually it seems a lot like a Pepboys, anyways, i went in there to see how much an AEM cai would be for my friend's 4g hatch. he tells me that there is no point in getting AEM, because Iceman is so much better, and he says that the K&N shortstack would even out perform it. so i asked him why he thinks that, and the only reason he gave me was that the piping is aluminum on the AEM, so it heats up a lot and also heats up the air going thru the pipe, and on the Iceman and K&N, the piping is plastic and doesn't heat up, and in turn doesn't heat up the air going through, making more power. I see how that could be true, but could AEM even heat up the air enough to affect power, or is it even possible to heat up the air going through the pipe. sorry for the long post, i just want this to be clear to me so i can go back and bitch at the guy

[igo4bmx]

yeah the engine can heat up the piping which in turn can heat up the air inside the piping. I have a generic intake and after a drive on the highway i stops and popped open my hood and touched my intake and it ws ice cold... i'm just glad i didn't miss and touch my headers....
AEM has a "special" paint coating, but i don't have one so i don't know.

[Rob80]

Originally posted by j.fuggi


is this dirt you speak of the reason my CAI seems quieter? it used to hiss more and used to suck and scream more too. i think my filter is dirty. what is this rechage kit. where to buy it?

Probably, my friend had an iceman and it got quieter too. he went and bought a new filter and the thing was much louder and he "said" he had more power. K&N makes a recharge kit, I don't have one but i'm sure you could buy it at any k&N dealer. it cleans the filter and there is an oil or something you put on it.

I feel your pain though. My intake seems quieter. It still hisses though, I try to tell everyone I have a turbo, haha.

[ric]

its not even about apples and oranges like some people try and make it. more like granny smith and mcintosh if you know what i mean. different skin still an apple.

[changedagame108]

Go with AEM. Proven results and a wide fan base from them. Great looks, gains, and sound from their intakes. I have one on my civic, and i love it.

[Redcivic]

THEY ARE BOTH A WASTE OF $200.00. $200.00 BUCKS FOR 2-3HP? PLEASE. BOLT-ONS ARE A WASTE OF MONEY ON SOHC CIVICS. SORRY, BUT IT'S TRUE.