AEM intake for $230 or Cheap for $55?
04-26-2004, 12:33 PM
#43
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Land of the landeaus
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Terd, I wasn't referring to you personally. Lately, I've seen a lot of threads that
begin with a legit topic and sink into discussions where members insult others,
call 'em "cheap" for passing on $1800 catbacks, or worse...attempt to define
ownership priorities to total strangers. Many S2000 owners are trying to put
a child through college, need to make yet ANOTHER trip to the grocery store
for diapers, have a wife or significant other who is staying home for whatever
reason, are trying to wrap up their college degrees, etc.
There are far too many variables in people's lives to judge why people should and
shouldn't do something, especially when it comes to items for the S2000. Frankly speaking,
the car IS fine just the way it is. There isn't one single modification that I can think
of that someone could argue was absolutely necessary.
Some owners have rich families that can support their habits, others make a great
living and can buy a Mugen carbon fiber hardtop as easily as a box of cereal.
Most however, constantly have to juggle their budgets, priorities and desired
modifcations and somehow find the appropriate balance that would allow them to
look their child or wife in the face at the end of the day and be able to sleep at night.
Chris apparently felt the need to ask, "what would be the difference between
these two intakes" and its a legit question.
CARB certification carries a lot of weight in California and for that reason alone,
I think it would be worth it. Air does not sit in the intake tract of a pipe long
enough to be significantly "heated." The same principal to waving your finger
through a candle flame applies here. The quality of the pipe IS different. The
AEM is thicker and more resistant to heat but in truth, there is only so many ways
you can snake a pipe from point A to point B. The consumer is paying for AEM's
research. The copy cat intake is just that. Worse quality and cheaper as a result.
In this case however, as I've said in the past, paying a lot less to get a lot less is no
deal at all. Get the AEM, get the certification label and you'll have one less thing
to worry about if you're ever pulled over. Besides, the quality of the intake piping
has a LOT to do with how the intake resonance is applied to your engine note. You
will NOT be disappointed with the AEM in that regard.
begin with a legit topic and sink into discussions where members insult others,
call 'em "cheap" for passing on $1800 catbacks, or worse...attempt to define
ownership priorities to total strangers. Many S2000 owners are trying to put
a child through college, need to make yet ANOTHER trip to the grocery store
for diapers, have a wife or significant other who is staying home for whatever
reason, are trying to wrap up their college degrees, etc.
There are far too many variables in people's lives to judge why people should and
shouldn't do something, especially when it comes to items for the S2000. Frankly speaking,
the car IS fine just the way it is. There isn't one single modification that I can think
of that someone could argue was absolutely necessary.
Some owners have rich families that can support their habits, others make a great
living and can buy a Mugen carbon fiber hardtop as easily as a box of cereal.
Most however, constantly have to juggle their budgets, priorities and desired
modifcations and somehow find the appropriate balance that would allow them to
look their child or wife in the face at the end of the day and be able to sleep at night.
Chris apparently felt the need to ask, "what would be the difference between
these two intakes" and its a legit question.
CARB certification carries a lot of weight in California and for that reason alone,
I think it would be worth it. Air does not sit in the intake tract of a pipe long
enough to be significantly "heated." The same principal to waving your finger
through a candle flame applies here. The quality of the pipe IS different. The
AEM is thicker and more resistant to heat but in truth, there is only so many ways
you can snake a pipe from point A to point B. The consumer is paying for AEM's
research. The copy cat intake is just that. Worse quality and cheaper as a result.
In this case however, as I've said in the past, paying a lot less to get a lot less is no
deal at all. Get the AEM, get the certification label and you'll have one less thing
to worry about if you're ever pulled over. Besides, the quality of the intake piping
has a LOT to do with how the intake resonance is applied to your engine note. You
will NOT be disappointed with the AEM in that regard.
04-26-2004, 12:41 PM
#44
Registered User
I never thought I'd agree with you twice in one day. I do have two kids and the wife stays home. Instead of buying crap parts I'd rather rock stock and save for the good stuff. The AEM V2 is an excellent piece, I installed mine last weekend and have nothing but praise for it. I would argue that there is one weak spot on S 2000. That is the strut towers. That's the only place on the entire car that could REALLY use improvement. That's easily solved with some pillowball mounts. But more power never hurt anyone.
04-26-2004, 07:32 PM
#47
Originally posted by terd ferguson
I would argue that there is one weak spot on S 2000. That is the strut towers.
I would argue that there is one weak spot on S 2000. That is the strut towers.