Notices
Series I Aftermarket Performance Modifications Discussion of power adding modifications

AEM Cold Air Intake Install - How I spent my Saturday

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 03-25-2007 | 08:11 PM
  #26  
chickenwafer's Avatar
Nope
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 0
From: Denver
Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
Yeah and it will give you 10WHP too
No one said anything about RWHP gains....
But it is a fact of science that colder air is denser, and it has been proven that the AEM intake sucks in colder air than stock.
Old 03-25-2007 | 08:16 PM
  #27  
bizron's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: TN
Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
OT, but if you can still attach the bumper cover and have everything mount tightly, how much weight would leaving that front bar off save? Is it heavy?
I would consider the big metal piece an essential part of the frame. Technically the styrophoam part probably just helps the bumper hold its shape. The big metal piece is definitely heavy though.
Old 03-25-2007 | 08:17 PM
  #28  
Astral's Avatar
Purveyor of fine bass
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 2
From: Worcester, MA
Originally Posted by bizron
What you are seeing in the picture are the jack stands. They don't actually lift anything, they just hold a certain height. I bought them specifically for this job (as well as my new floor jack).

Next comes a confession lol. In order to jack the car up, I could only find 1 good place that my jack would reach. To prevent damaging the under side, I removed the top part of the floor jack so that it would be completely flat (without the pronged cap piece). I had to jack right behind the front wheels :-/ I'm not sure where others jack from.

I tried searching for jacking points on here but only found a suggestion to look in the manual. The manual seemed to just say "use the factory jack or DIE" haha. I couldn't find a midpoint to jack on either (referenced in one of the posts I found).


BTW, the sound above 7500 RPMs IS amazing :-D. If you bog it a little down low, the intake makes a unique low tone as well. Its sort of hard to explain.
I'm sorry, I meant to say "jack stands" not jacks, sorry!

The jacking points are on the railing behind the front wheel ... you can feel two little bumps. If you put your hand on the side of the car just below the front door hinge.. and keep moving that hand down under the car, the first thing you will hit is a rail of sorts... you will feel two bumps there. Those are the factory side jacking points.

I was just asking how you liked those jack stand points, whether it felt secure and all that.
Old 03-25-2007 | 08:18 PM
  #29  
Astral's Avatar
Purveyor of fine bass
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 2
From: Worcester, MA
Originally Posted by bizron
I would consider the big metal piece an essential part of the frame. Technically the styrophoam part probably just helps the bumper hold its shape. The big metal piece is definitely heavy though.
not to mention it's probably a key part of the impact absorption safety system.
Old 03-25-2007 | 08:19 PM
  #30  
swoope's Avatar
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 14,602
Likes: 36
From: orlando, fl
Originally Posted by bizron
I would consider the big metal piece an essential part of the frame. Technically the styrophoam part probably just helps the bumper hold its shape. The big metal piece is definitely heavy though.
correct,

also the foam is part of the impact absorbing system... the idea of removing either is not wise..

beers
Old 03-25-2007 | 08:20 PM
  #31  
bizron's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: TN
Smile

Originally Posted by LabDad
Slightly OT but I've always wondered why the AEM intake has that short piece of hardpipe. If you look at the underhood pics it looks like 3 seperate pieces before it hits the hump hose connector. That last piece is so short, I don't understand why they didn't make the 2nd piece a little longer or use a slightly longer silicone connector if movement/flex were an issue.

Seems like I've heard that the mazdaspeed version has 1 less piece, so maybe AEM did make that one piece a little smaller for the AEM bypass valve. Or maybe it had to do with them needing to make their version slightly different from the mazdaspeed version...who knows.
Old 03-25-2007 | 08:26 PM
  #32  
lurch519's Avatar
www.evoperform.com
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 1
From: tax free delaware
except that aem doenst have an air bypass valve for the intake. anyway, the bypass valve when used, usually reduces hp. also, the only positive aspect that the bypass valve has is if you run into water deep enough to submerge the filter at least halfway. if you are driving through water that deep, then i am sorry, but thats just plain stupid.
Old 03-25-2007 | 08:31 PM
  #33  
swoope's Avatar
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 14,602
Likes: 36
From: orlando, fl
off topic,

but useful.

beers
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
scan.pdf (260.0 KB, 286 views)
Old 03-25-2007 | 08:37 PM
  #34  
bizron's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: TN
Originally Posted by Astral
I'm sorry, I meant to say "jack stands" not jacks, sorry!

The jacking points are on the railing behind the front wheel ... you can feel two little bumps. If you put your hand on the side of the car just below the front door hinge.. and keep moving that hand down under the car, the first thing you will hit is a rail of sorts... you will feel two bumps there. Those are the factory side jacking points.

I was just asking how you liked those jack stand points, whether it felt secure and all that.

Oh sorry about that. That was the area I used for jacking, so I guess I did it right lol. I really did like the positioning of the jack stands. The car felt very secure the whole time. I plan on doing some calipur painting soon, and I'll probably use the same spots.

It requires you to jack the car up pretty high, but I felt very safe.
Old 03-25-2007 | 08:43 PM
  #35  
bizron's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: TN
Originally Posted by swoope
off topic,

but useful.

beers

I wouldn't call it off topic swoope, that may be helpful next time. I don't know if my jack is low-profile enough to get under there that far. I'll try though.
Old 03-25-2007 | 09:00 PM
  #36  
SDRX8CHICK's Avatar
HYPERSPORT PERFORMANCE
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: SAN DIEGO
good job! the aem CAI is one of the first mods i had done to my 8
Old 03-25-2007 | 09:19 PM
  #37  
mikeschaefer's Avatar
I wanna rock! Rock!
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Monterey, CA
Originally Posted by Astral
not to mention it's probably a key part of the impact absorption safety system.
I agree. A forum member recently passed away in a frontal collision who'd removed a similar part of his car. It definitely wasn't the only factor in his situation but I would strongly recommend leaving something like that installed.
Old 03-25-2007 | 10:15 PM
  #38  
AdRoCK3217's Avatar
Rotary Superstar
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
A bit of water in the intake isn't a problem :-) Consider it steam-cleaning your engine when you are sputtering when following close behind someone.

I was wondering - why did you get the car up on all 4's, and take off the wheels?

You should've installed the oil cooler and AC condenser screens while you were down there.
Old 03-25-2007 | 10:27 PM
  #39  
9krpmrx8's Avatar
SARX Legend
iTrader: (46)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 33,786
Likes: 455
From: San Antonio, Texas
Originally Posted by swoope
ignore him,

he knows little of what he speaks... his big mod is a bottle that sits in his garage..

beers
Yeah, just ignore me.
Old 03-25-2007 | 11:01 PM
  #40  
swoope's Avatar
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 14,602
Likes: 36
From: orlando, fl
Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
Yeah, just ignore me.

i have been.

i have skipped correcting your inaccurate posts.

beers
Old 03-25-2007 | 11:35 PM
  #41  
Astral's Avatar
Purveyor of fine bass
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 2
From: Worcester, MA
Originally Posted by AdRoCK3217
I was wondering - why did you get the car up on all 4's, and take off the wheels?
The car looks like it's on all 4's, but it actually isn't, only the fronts are jacked up.
Old 03-25-2007 | 11:51 PM
  #42  
bizron's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: TN
Smile

Originally Posted by AdRoCK3217
A bit of water in the intake isn't a problem :-) Consider it steam-cleaning your engine when you are sputtering when following close behind someone.

I was wondering - why did you get the car up on all 4's, and take off the wheels?

You should've installed the oil cooler and AC condenser screens while you were down there.

You're right..I should've done the screens while I was into it, but that would've required purchasing them ahead of time ... DOH! That's hindsight for ya... oh well...at least I know how to take everything apart next time.

Oh, and I took off the front wheels because the instructions said to haha. It may not have been required, but it certainly made things easier...

Last edited by bizron; 03-25-2007 at 11:54 PM.
Old 03-25-2007 | 11:53 PM
  #43  
swoope's Avatar
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 14,602
Likes: 36
From: orlando, fl
Originally Posted by bizron
You're right..I should've done the screens while I was into it, but that would've required purchasing them ahead of time ... DOH! That's hindsight for ya... oh well...at least I know how to take everything apart next time.
the bumper will come off in less than 15 min. next time.

you are just setting yourself up for speed.

beers
Old 03-26-2007 | 08:46 AM
  #44  
Aero8's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: EVOLV-Chicago
nice job with the install. when I did mine I didn't jack it up or even take off the front wheels. Dumb on my part, but still got it done.

I really only skimmed most of the posts, so I don't know if anyone else mentioned anymore comments reguarding rain, but I drove through an incredible amount of rain a week or two ago and I thought I would have some issues. None at all. It ran as smooth as normal. I also have a sock type thing over the filter that came with the intake.
Old 03-26-2007 | 09:03 AM
  #45  
bizron's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: TN
Smile

Yeah, I went on and put on the sock thing as well. I figure it'll help keep most of the bugs out of the pleats in the filter.

Check out this cool picture. If you look closely, you can see an intake peeking out :-)



I like the sun glare too. Too bad the car is so dirty right now :-/ I meant to wash it after I was finished but other things took up the rest of my weekend.
Old 03-26-2007 | 07:28 PM
  #46  
lurch519's Avatar
www.evoperform.com
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 1
From: tax free delaware
looks good man. u gotta love the jet engine turbine wine the thing makes at idle, and the ferrariesque or lambroginiesque sound the car makes revving to 9k
Old 03-26-2007 | 07:53 PM
  #47  
bizron's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: TN
Talking

Originally Posted by lurch519
looks good man. u gotta love the jet engine turbine wine the thing makes at idle, and the ferrariesque or lambroginiesque sound the car makes revving to 9k
I know all about the revs to 9k :-D I've enjoyed showing it to my work buddies today. I even took my boss for a ride and he liked it too. Its hard to believe an intake can change the sound so much.
Old 03-26-2007 | 08:22 PM
  #48  
lurch519's Avatar
www.evoperform.com
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 1
From: tax free delaware
Originally Posted by bizron
I know all about the revs to 9k :-D I've enjoyed showing it to my work buddies today. I even took my boss for a ride and he liked it too. Its hard to believe an intake can change the sound so much.
its not really hard to believe. if you look at the stock intakes on todays cars, they are actually tuned to help negate noise.
Old 03-26-2007 | 08:52 PM
  #49  
bizron's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: TN
Originally Posted by lurch519
its not really hard to believe. if you look at the stock intakes on todays cars, they are actually tuned to help negate noise.
I guess that's true with all of the resonators and what-not...
Old 03-26-2007 | 10:17 PM
  #50  
ddub's Avatar
always preoccupied.
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Kirkland, WA
Originally Posted by bizron
Oh, and I took off the front wheels because the instructions said to haha. It may not have been required, but it certainly made things easier...

Yah the directions say taking the front wheels off is required, but it's not. I left my wheels on when I installed my AEM. You do have to turn the wheels from full turn on one side to the other, though, during part of it. But I found that much easier than taking the wheels off and putting them back on.

All in all the install from start to finish with all removals took me about 1.5-2 hours. If you work quick it doesn't take long at all.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GK1707
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
8
12-02-2015 10:01 AM
JR RX8
Series I Engine Tuning Forum
10
09-08-2015 08:53 AM
PTQLam
Series I Aftermarket Performance Modifications
4
08-16-2015 05:40 PM
MrORAN6E
New Member Forum
2
07-24-2015 09:32 AM
AussieGray
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
0
07-16-2015 03:58 AM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: AEM Cold Air Intake Install - How I spent my Saturday



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:12 PM.