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HKS v.s. AEM cold air intake

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Old 09-07-2008, 12:13 AM
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HKS v.s. AEM cold air intake

I just put a magna flow exhaust on my 2004 and I can't deccide between this HKS intake or AEM cold air intake

there's about a $100 difference which isn't too bad
any sugestions?

http://www.velocityfactor.net/wwwroo...idproduct=1910

http://www.raceinspired.com/showSect...nufacturerID=0
Old 09-07-2008, 02:00 AM
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I would just stay stock...but if I had to chose, AEM/Mazdaspeed

Intakes just add bling and noise anyways
Old 09-07-2008, 02:04 AM
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The HKS unit is a short ram intake, vs. the MS/AEM which is the full on outside the engine bay cold air intake. The HKS unit will be easier to install, but the AEM/MS unit will give a bit more hp.

Intakes are what they are. Normally aspirated mod that will give you hp at the top end, just like every other NA mod. It's not just bling & noise, but if you are expecting 20 hp from it, no NA mod will do that.

Also look at the Racing Beat Revi unit (w/Ram Air Duct).
Old 09-07-2008, 02:25 AM
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ok, it may add a few hp but it won't be anything noticeable. the bling and noise will be noticeable however.
Old 09-07-2008, 03:10 AM
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Originally Posted by 05rex8
ok, it may add a few hp but it won't be anything noticeable. the bling and noise will be noticeable however.

What NA mod do you think does give you any "noticeable" hp gain ? You could put an exhaust, or hi flow cat/test pipe, or pully, etc. any of these things on there & I guarantee you won't/can't feel the difference. The intake is just like any other NA mod. By itself it will give you about 5-6 on the top end (this has been dyno proven), but all of the NA mods put together you will be lucky to get 20-25 whp. Even then not sure anybody can "feel the difference."
Old 09-07-2008, 02:50 PM
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^I don't think any does, never said I did. I am in agreement with your posts.
Old 09-07-2008, 06:00 PM
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you guys are still thinking in 2006...

this is 2008, we know that exhausts and intakes actually do add horsepower. just not crazy amounts.
Old 09-07-2008, 07:54 PM
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and I have the dyno to prove that my hks and rb air duct did infact add hp. not much -- but yes, yes it does.

Thanks to the HKS -- my radio hasnt been on in about 2 months
Old 09-07-2008, 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Fanman
The HKS unit is a short ram intake, vs. the MS/AEM which is the full on outside the engine bay cold air intake. The HKS unit will be easier to install, but the AEM/MS unit will give a bit more hp.

Intakes are what they are. Normally aspirated mod that will give you hp at the top end, just like every other NA mod. It's not just bling & noise, but if you are expecting 20 hp from it, no NA mod will do that.

Also look at the Racing Beat Revi unit (w/Ram Air Duct).
I wouldn't call MS/AEM a true CAI, consider the location of the filter ... right next to the hot radiator

When the car move it doesnt really matter if its K&N/HKS/AEM/MS, cuz they all will get fresh air one way or the other

when it comes to traffic, it all can get their hotair "somewhere", rather its engine bay or Radiator.

I dont have HKS, but I have K&N and MS CAI, so I know how both works (along with the data I log with my laptop)
Old 09-07-2008, 07:58 PM
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I would recommend going with the AEM CAI. At least the engine will get cool fresh air. Not just overheated engine compartment air.
Old 09-07-2008, 08:48 PM
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Originally Posted by heyarnold69
and I have the dyno to prove that my hks and rb air duct did infact add hp. not much -- but yes, yes it does.

Thanks to the HKS -- my radio hasnt been on in about 2 months
hahah! i.d.k about 2 months but i didnt put on the radio for a good 1 month~

HKS all the way~
Old 09-08-2008, 12:54 AM
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the aem intake gets fresh air coming blowing from the front.

hks sits in the engine bay, but you could use a ram air duct to flow air to it.

go for which one you like more with looks and sound. unless cost is a big factor, in which case the aem wins.
Old 09-08-2008, 04:24 AM
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Originally Posted by nycgps
I wouldn't call MS/AEM a true CAI, consider the location of the filter ... right next to the hot radiator

When the car move it doesnt really matter if its K&N/HKS/AEM/MS, cuz they all will get fresh air one way or the other

when it comes to traffic, it all can get their hotair "somewhere", rather its engine bay or Radiator.

I dont have HKS, but I have K&N and MS CAI, so I know how both works (along with the data I log with my laptop)
Well cold air in a sense that it is outside the engine bay (even if it is in front of the radiator). If it was to be a cold air in the truest sense, they would need to extend it another few feet.
Old 09-08-2008, 04:58 AM
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I've ran my AEM for a couple months now and rarely see anything more than 10 degrees above ambient intake air temperatures. On cooler days I only see 3 to 4 degrees difference.
Old 09-08-2008, 05:31 AM
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i've had the hks racing suction since day one, and have never experienced any problems. It does make a few ponies on the dyno but like the above guys say, it will never be noticed. Style comes into play when buying it as well. The hks comes with a metal heat shield box. I've even added a carbon fiber air duct to my front bumper to grab additional cooler air. It all comes down to preference.
Old 09-08-2008, 06:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Fanman
Well cold air in a sense that it is outside the engine bay (even if it is in front of the radiator). If it was to be a cold air in the truest sense, they would need to extend it another few feet.
It's fine where it is. The fans sit behind the radiator and pull air towards the rear of the vehicle. So regardless if your car is moving or not, the airflow will be similar. Hot air is directed away from the intake.

I've also had my CAI with the filter behind the intercooler, and it doesn't make much of a difference temp wise at idle (not moving, and not boosting). At speed, there is so much air moving through, that the temp is only a few degrees over ambient, so it's perfectly fine behind the intercooler too...
Old 09-08-2008, 07:41 PM
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Drive-By Promotion......

AEM 21-485 goes for $325, shipped, from BHR.
Old 09-08-2008, 07:58 PM
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I would go with the AEM as it is a true CAI
Old 09-08-2008, 08:01 PM
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and if you buy the AEM from BHR you get a free picture of Charles in his PJ's
Old 09-08-2008, 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Charles R. Hill
AEM 21-485 goes for $325, shipped, from BHR.
i'll take one, allong with everything else we discussed..
Old 09-08-2008, 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Charles R. Hill
AEM 21-485 goes for $325, shipped, from BHR.
will it fit?

beers
Old 09-08-2008, 08:31 PM
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I went with the AEM
http://www.raceinspired.com/ps-618-2...2004-2006.aspx

think this will go in easy? or should I have someone else do it? (someone besides my husband)
Old 09-10-2008, 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Joyfull
I went with the AEM
http://www.raceinspired.com/ps-618-2...2004-2006.aspx

think this will go in easy? or should I have someone else do it? (someone besides my husband)
i went with AEM and love it.
installation is a bit tough though, it requires the removal of front bumper.
if you have experience in installing intakes before then by all means go for it
i would recommend just taking it to a shop w/ experience installing aftermarket parts.
Old 09-10-2008, 08:09 PM
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do it yourself, that's the best way to learn
Old 09-13-2008, 03:03 PM
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I think we'll try doing it first. he's ok with cars and I'm a mechanic for the USAF (but I work on jets) so we'll see how it goes


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