AEM CAI Intake Install and review (with photos)

[castrol]

The box arrived while I was out of town at a convention. I had completely
forgotten it was going to be at my house when I arrived home. I was greeted
in the entry way by a really large box as I walked in the door. Wahoo…time to
do an install!

Boy, how wrong I was. It did nothing but rain for the next couple of weeks.
Some said we got over 12 inches of rain during that time. I don’t doubt it. I
didn’t even want to open the box, because I knew that would only make me
want to install it in the rain.

The rains finally dwindled a bit and I finally got to install my new modification.
The first thing I did was remove everything from the box and check out the
contents. My first impression was amazement in the quality and beauty of
this product. It is really, really pretty. Under closer inspection, I found, right
on the intake tubing, a sticker that I had hoped to see someday. I didn’t
even know there was an intake with it available. That is because this is the
NEW, REDESIGNED unit that AEM just came out with. Notice the black, plastic
portion of the intake.





A C.A.R.B. E.O. number. This is good news for all you California people.




I sat down and read the installation manual. The instructions were great.
Hardware inclusion was superb. There was the exact number of bolts and
nuts needed. Hose clamps are good quality and actually quite nice looking. I
was ready to get started.

I yanked the stock air box out per the instructions. I have done this many
times before so it was pretty straightforward and easy for me.



Once the stock equipment had been removed, I started installing the AEM
parts. The fit was VERY impressive. For lack of a better term… it was perfect.
I didn’t even have to remove the battery, which is the part I hate the most
about installing an intake. I was happy about that. Tightening down the hose
clamps and hooking up the crankcase breather made things secure. It was
already much more secure feeling than my previous intakes and I wasn’t even
done with the install yet. Notice the clever black rubber pad where the
positive battery post resides…



The new plastic, bottom part of the intake goes into the fender. AEM
suggests removing the fender well to get to the area where the working end
of the intake will reside. I chose to remove the drivers’ headlight simply
because I have done it 100 times before. This is an easier technique for me.
This also makes for easier photos.




There is a bracket inside the fender well that attaches both to the AEM
intake and to the inner fender of the car for even more stability. The photo
below is looking up into the fender well from under the car. That is the
bracket that connects the intake to the car and stabilizes the lower end of
the intake. Pretty ingenious.


Fitment of all of these pieces was far beyond what I had been expecting. My
first intake, installed a couple of years ago, was an extremely difficult unit to
install, probably because of the new-ness of the car and the lack of time for
R & D. I was VERY happy to see how easily this thing went into my car. AEM
has done their research and development, of that much I am sure.



AEM supplied, new and improve DRYFLOW filter. Here are some of the best
features about it…



• AEM’s unique non-woven filter media never needs oil! This means less down
time between cleanings and no more chance of over-oiling
• No oil means no warranty issues from oil traveling along the inlet and
clogging the MAF sensor
• The DRYFLOW Synthetic filter’s unique non-woven polyester filter media is
independently-tested to deliver 98% initial filtration efficiency (up to 99.4%
cumulative efficiency). Oiled filter initial efficiency is typically 90% to 95%
efficient.
• The DRYFLOW Synthetic filter delivers superior filtration and equal
performance (compared to an oiled filter)
• A neutral gray filter color complements our mirror-polished and
powdercoated finishes, and hides the dirt that it keeps out of your engine.
• A mineral reinforced plastic interior cage increases structural rigidity—it’s
virtually impossible to collapse! No mesh screen means no more filter damage
from bumps during installation or cleaning and no corrosion damage.
• Element is cleanable and is Guaranteed for Life!
• Will NOT void your vehicle’s warranty!

Very nice.



Looking in through the headlight hole you can see where the filter sits and
you can also see the included aluminum splash guard underneath it. Yes, this
intake comes complete with an aluminum splashguard to help keep that filter
element dry!




Another shot of the splashguard from under the car.



Here is a look at the bracket that holds the vacuum line pod.



A photo of the finished product, completely installed in about 1.5 hours,
including stopping to take photos and document progress. Not too bad at all.
Don’t forget to peel the protective plastic covering off of the label!



REVIEW

Upon the first start of the car after the install, there is really nothing
noticeable. Once you get out on the road though, the difference is obvious. I
don’t drive the SRT as much as my wife does, but I was certainly able to hear
a considerable difference from stock. In comparison to the first intake I had
a couple of years ago the sound is night and day. The AEM is not nearly as
loud as our old intake, but it is significantly different from the stock one. The
“horsy fluttering” sound everyone talks about is present, but it is quite
muffled and I really enjoy hearing it.

A surprising difference is in the exhaust. Yes, a difference in the exhaust
sound. The SRT burbles and pops under deceleration even MORE than it did
before. I’m not crazy. I wasn’t the only who noticed it. My friend in the car
with me was amused at how long and how many times the deceleration
burbles continued all the way through the stop signs in my subdivision.

Out on the open road, under full throttle acceleration, the AEM Cold Air
Intake gobbles up air as quickly as the turbo can pull it in. The sound is
exhilarating and extremely pleasant. Let off during shifts, and the waste gate
is very audible as it slams shut. However, under normal cruising at 55 to 85, it
is barely even noticeable. I was glad about this.

Since my wife drives the SRT more than I do, I eagerly awaited her reaction
when she got home from work the following afternoon. Her first question was,
“Did you do something to make the car faster?” I explained to her that I
installed the new cold air intake from AEM and that it shouldn’t have really
made it faster per say but it definitely changed the intake sound up some.
She didn’t agree with that answer. She was adamant that her car, the car
she drives everyday not only sounded cooler, but was definitely quicker than
it had been previously. We shall find out soon enough when I take it to the
track in the next couple of weeks.

For now, I have very few decals on my car, but I really needed to add this
one. If you are in the market, I highly recommend you do the same.

[05silvrSRT]

nice writeup, pics. bump for a good read!!

[hozay09]

Great write up Castrol. You can block off the black line and cap the intake. Save yourself a boost leak.

[The D Man]

Awesome write-up, you just sold an intake for AEM. I'll throw this on with the Maxxfab/Borla combo and see what kinds of gains I get. Thanks castrol!

[parsonsproject]

Nice pics... I just installed my AEM CAI too and did a writeup... nice piece eh? I just need to readjust my lower pipe a bit cause it is too low for the splash guard right now.

Revised AEM CAI installed, pics/results

Not as many pics but I did notice a positive effect on timing/knock and gained mph in trap.

[castrol]

Quote: Originally Posted by parsonsproject

Nice pics... I just installed my AEM CAI too and did a writeup... nice piece eh? I just need to readjust my lower pipe a bit cause it is too low for the splash guard right now.

Revised AEM CAI installed, pics/results

Not as many pics but I did notice a positive effect on timing/knock and gained mph in trap.

Excellent!! Yeah, I love this thing. I really was amazed at the fit and finish. I
kept thinking back to my first CAI install and man, what a difference. Like this
piece was actually made for this car.

[castrol]

Quote: Originally Posted by The D Man

Awesome write-up, you just sold an intake for AEM. I'll throw this on with the Maxxfab/Borla combo and see what kinds of gains I get. Thanks castrol!

Sweet. I'll be eager to hear your thoughts on it once you install it. What color?

[LIsrt478]

which vendor did you buy your AEM CAI from?

[BgBdWlf]

One point of concern would be the link you have between the intake tube and the crankcase vent. I would recommend using a breather on the crankcase vent, capping the nub on the intake tube and running a catch can and check valve off the PCV valve. This way, you will reduce the amount of blow by oil present in the intake.

[srt4_2007]

Excellent review. I just ordered mine from Modern Performance. FREE SHIPPING... Thanks Castrol...

[Nefty_nef]

Quote: Originally Posted by castrol

The box arrived while I was out of town at a convention. I had completely
forgotten it was going to be at my house when I arrived home. I was greeted
in the entry way by a really large box as I walked in the door. Wahoo?time to
do an install!

Boy, how wrong I was. It did nothing but rain for the next couple of weeks.
Some said we got over 12 inches of rain during that time. I don?t doubt it. I
didn?t even want to open the box, because I knew that would only make me
want to install it in the rain.

The rains finally dwindled a bit and I finally got to install my new modification.
The first thing I did was remove everything from the box and check out the
contents. My first impression was amazement in the quality and beauty of
this product. It is really, really pretty. Under closer inspection, I found, right
on the intake tubing, a sticker that I had hoped to see someday. I didn?t
even know there was an intake with it available. That is because this is the
NEW, REDESIGNED unit that AEM just came out with. Notice the black, plastic
portion of the intake.





A C.A.R.B. E.O. number. This is good news for all you California people.




I sat down and read the installation manual. The instructions were great.
Hardware inclusion was superb. There was the exact number of bolts and
nuts needed. Hose clamps are good quality and actually quite nice looking. I
was ready to get started.

I yanked the stock air box out per the instructions. I have done this many
times before so it was pretty straightforward and easy for me.



Once the stock equipment had been removed, I started installing the AEM
parts. The fit was VERY impressive. For lack of a better term? it was perfect.
I didn?t even have to remove the battery, which is the part I hate the most
about installing an intake. I was happy about that. Tightening down the hose
clamps and hooking up the crankcase breather made things secure. It was
already much more secure feeling than my previous intakes and I wasn?t even
done with the install yet. Notice the clever black rubber pad where the
positive battery post resides?



The new plastic, bottom part of the intake goes into the fender. AEM
suggests removing the fender well to get to the area where the working end
of the intake will reside. I chose to remove the drivers? headlight simply
because I have done it 100 times before. This is an easier technique for me.
This also makes for easier photos.




There is a bracket inside the fender well that attaches both to the AEM
intake and to the inner fender of the car for even more stability. The photo
below is looking up into the fender well from under the car. That is the
bracket that connects the intake to the car and stabilizes the lower end of
the intake. Pretty ingenious.


Fitment of all of these pieces was far beyond what I had been expecting. My
first intake, installed a couple of years ago, was an extremely difficult unit to
install, probably because of the new-ness of the car and the lack of time for
R & D. I was VERY happy to see how easily this thing went into my car. AEM
has done their research and development, of that much I am sure.



AEM supplied, new and improve DRYFLOW filter. Here are some of the best
features about it?



? AEM?s unique non-woven filter media never needs oil! This means less down
time between cleanings and no more chance of over-oiling
? No oil means no warranty issues from oil traveling along the inlet and
clogging the MAF sensor
? The DRYFLOW Synthetic filter?s unique non-woven polyester filter media is
independently-tested to deliver 98% initial filtration efficiency (up to 99.4%
cumulative efficiency). Oiled filter initial efficiency is typically 90% to 95%
efficient.
? The DRYFLOW Synthetic filter delivers superior filtration and equal
performance (compared to an oiled filter)
? A neutral gray filter color complements our mirror-polished and
powdercoated finishes, and hides the dirt that it keeps out of your engine.
? A mineral reinforced plastic interior cage increases structural rigidity?it?s
virtually impossible to collapse! No mesh screen means no more filter damage
from bumps during installation or cleaning and no corrosion damage.
? Element is cleanable and is Guaranteed for Life!
? Will NOT void your vehicle?s warranty!

Very nice.



Looking in through the headlight hole you can see where the filter sits and
you can also see the included aluminum splash guard underneath it. Yes, this
intake comes complete with an aluminum splashguard to help keep that filter
element dry!




Another shot of the splashguard from under the car.



Here is a look at the bracket that holds the vacuum line pod.



A photo of the finished product, completely installed in about 1.5 hours,
including stopping to take photos and document progress. Not too bad at all.
Don?t forget to peel the protective plastic covering off of the label!



REVIEW

Upon the first start of the car after the install, there is really nothing
noticeable. Once you get out on the road though, the difference is obvious. I
don?t drive the SRT as much as my wife does, but I was certainly able to hear
a considerable difference from stock. In comparison to the first intake I had
a couple of years ago the sound is night and day. The AEM is not nearly as
loud as our old intake, but it is significantly different from the stock one. The
?horsy fluttering? sound everyone talks about is present, but it is quite
muffled and I really enjoy hearing it.

A surprising difference is in the exhaust. Yes, a difference in the exhaust
sound. The SRT burbles and pops under deceleration even MORE than it did
before. I?m not crazy. I wasn?t the only who noticed it. My friend in the car
with me was amused at how long and how many times the deceleration
burbles continued all the way through the stop signs in my subdivision.

Out on the open road, under full throttle acceleration, the AEM Cold Air
Intake gobbles up air as quickly as the turbo can pull it in. The sound is
exhilarating and extremely pleasant. Let off during shifts, and the waste gate
is very audible as it slams shut. However, under normal cruising at 55 to 85, it
is barely even noticeable. I was glad about this.

Since my wife drives the SRT more than I do, I eagerly awaited her reaction
when she got home from work the following afternoon. Her first question was,
?Did you do something to make the car faster?? I explained to her that I
installed the new cold air intake from AEM and that it shouldn?t have really
made it faster per say but it definitely changed the intake sound up some.
She didn?t agree with that answer. She was adamant that her car, the car
she drives everyday not only sounded cooler, but was definitely quicker than
it had been previously. We shall find out soon enough when I take it to the
track in the next couple of weeks.

For now, I have very few decals on my car, but I really needed to add this
one. If you are in the market, I highly recommend you do the same.

I thought you're not supposed to plug the pcv(pvc, never get it right) connected to the intake.

great review castrol...

i also installed mine not to long ago...except mine is a short ram. i love it, great quality, easy to understand instructions and it took me about 30 min to install...i love the dry filter. if you go on AEM's website there is a video on how you can clean the filter...basically a cleaning solution and a bucket of water is all you need!

anyways..here are some pics of my short ram on my car:

[srt4_2007]

Quote: Originally Posted by castol

Out on the open road, under full throttle acceleration, the AEM Cold Air
Intake gobbles up air as quickly as the turbo can pull it in. The sound is
exhilarating and extremely pleasant. Let off during shifts, and the waste gate
is very audible as it slams shut. However, under normal cruising at 55 to 85, it
is barely even noticeable.

I could not believe the difference in the sound. It is awesome. I'm glad I found your post castrol it definitely sent me in the direction of AEM... Anyone who purchases this CAI will be very pleased...

[selp]

nefty_nef and newbies .. you need to learn not to quote on the whole review/thread with pictures .. just either post whatever you want to say or custom make your own quote

[domesticdisturbance]

I just installed my AEM cold air about two weeks ago and i love the sound of it. I had a quick question tho regarding oil catch cans - are they worth spending $100 bucks on it? When installing the intake, it didnt seem like there was much oil leaking out of the tube. I have my eye on an MSD coil and some spark plug wires but am also considering spending the money on a catch can since i seem to read about them everywhere. I will say this, the sound of the intake is so freakin sweet. My girlfriend took a ride in it to the store yesterday and made the comment "Holy crap! It sounds like a monster!".