We've had an AEM intake waiting patiently on the shelf as we installed other mods in Project Evo X, our long-term 2008 Mitsubishi Evo GSR. The car had an AMS cold-air intake when we took delivery of it, and though it has helped produce some stout power numbers, its constant hissing is like pheromone spray for cops.
The AEM intake includes an airbox that should muffle the sound, plus all the bits above. It's a deceptively simple-looking kit, as looking closer there are a lot of clever touches.
For example, there are ribs molded into the plastic elbow to strengthen it against the low pressure that can be generated in this area. The MAF pipe is completely isolated from the chassis via rubber isolation mounts. Its "Dryflow" filter never needs oiling which is nice because oiled filters can play havoc with mass flow sensors.
And the filter itself lives in said sealed plastic airbox that not only prevents the intake of hot underhood air but also, at a glance, appears stock to the undiscriminating eye. If, you know, those eyes miss the AEM logo stamped into its lid. MSRP is $330.21.
Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor
ahightower says:
12:56 PM, 04/30/09
Ooh, it even comes with window stickers. Those usually impress chicks and add about 5 hp.
estreka says:
01:21 PM, 04/30/09
Holy jeebus that's a lot of money for an air intake.
church123 says:
01:59 PM, 04/30/09
Better get it retuned before getting on it. Aftermarket intakes alter the MAF readings substantially. The big gains some guys are seeing from intakes aren't because of improved airflow, its from reduced fuel and increased timing due to artificially low airflow numbers. Just sayin...wouldn't want you to melt a piston.
clarkma5 says:
02:05 PM, 04/30/09
I want to see before and after dyno runs...this thing can't possibly add more than 2 HP, if that...hell, it might LOSE power. CAIs just make for some more induction noise (which is nice, I admit) and increase the chances of sucking water into your intake. I don't think I would ever waste my hard-earned money on one, they're just there to get money from people who are too cheap to save their dough for real modifications.
church123 says:
02:31 PM, 04/30/09
You're on the right track clarkma5.
I've had a chance to test and tune a fair number of Evo X's now and for people retaining the stock turbo, upgrades like the intake, charge pipes and even intercooler really don't do much power wise. Sure, there are other reasons to get them. The stock intercooler will saturate sooner, the stock charge pipes flex and reduce throttle response and boost response, etc. But don't expect much power.
For example, The difference in tuned power/torque between a car with the same intake, charge pipe and intercooler combo as Project Evo plus a full downpipe/exhaust vs a car with just full downpipe/exhaust is about 10 hp and 10 lbs-ft in my experience. I'd like to have the intercooler and charge pipes for other reasons as mentioned, but I think I'm going to save my pennies for the Garrett GT3071 upgrade turbo first, or maybe an FP Red to save a few $$$ and invest that in cams
Jason Kavanagh replied to comment from church123
04:03 PM, 04/30/09
Shawn, you are correct re: altering MAF readings... but only if replacing a stock Evo X intake with an aftermarket one. Our car came with the AMS on it. The AMS and AEM have the same diameter MAF housing (both larger than stock) so a re-cal is not strictly necessary.
Though I'm sure it'll end up on a dyno again before long...
church123 says:
07:53 PM, 04/30/09
Good point Jason.
roadburner says:
01:42 PM, 05/ 1/09
"Holy jeebus that's a lot of money for an air intake."
The Mazdaspeed CAI for the MS3 is an AEM piece and it costs @$300. FWIW, 24 hp for $300 sounds good to me...
briancam says:
09:01 PM, 05/ 1/09
I think this is a great experiment and all but find it very telling that it is almost always last picked when a weekend, holiday, or long commute comes up.