ScionPimpN -

Thanks for the info, it's very helpful. Your opinion on the AEM intake further backs my opinion that they are a waste of money. As I stated before, the "harmonic tuning" may make a difference, but it's minimal and when you consider horsepower/buck, it's definitely not a good deal. I agree though, they do look great.

 

Street price on the AEM just dropped to about $200 ... just not at dealerships.

I've also seen a GReddy intake advertised in the $110 range.

 

Leprechaun- Glad I could help

 

200 bucks for the AEM??? where??? Ive seen pics of the AEM for 200, but it doesn't seem to be the one with the air bypass and stuff....

http://www.hopupracing.com/scion.html

^^^ the AEM there looks short ram.....???? no ????



i'm confused now...

 

Is hydrolock really that big of a problem?


I guess it depends on exactly where the intake is placed. But do you really think that if you don't have that air/water bypass valve that you have a significantly increased chance of getting hydrolock?

I'm new to this, so I may be full of crap, but from what I've been reading so far, the AEM intake is one of the more expensive intakes and it doesn't see as big of a power increase as some of the less expensive intakes. I guess if you're buying on looks alone and money is no barrier for you, then go for it. But it seems to me a differnet intake is a better choice.

 

That's not the same one Toyota sells. This is xB only.

 

Both AEM intakes are tuned differently. The one that is sold by Toyota has safety over horsepower. Tuning is sacrificed in the design to allow for a bypass valve and proper routing of the stock hoses.

 

Hydrolocking has been a subject of debate for sometime. But for such , one would think a serious problem. Who would of thought that AEM would be the only one to take notice and offer a bypassvalve for there intake systems. Now ive never hydrolocked my engine before, but i had a coldair intake on my focus and never had a problem with rain or water. I believe in someways a myth something to bring up and seel a product. Now not to say that hydrolocking hasnt happened but unless your in a flood I dont see a bypass valve a nesecity. Like I said 30+ intake companies make intake systems for cars and 1 has a bypass valve you be the judge if you need it

 

Ok, so unless you're going to take your xB underwater or ford rivers, you're not gonna need this bypass valve.

Also, for people with the bypass valve installed, your intake is not harmonically tuned. The bypass valve would disrupt the harmonics of the intake.[/quote]

 

Hmm maybe there is a patent...I have know at least 9 people who have hydrolocked their motors. $40 saves you $4000 do you really have to think about it? People don't purposely drive through puddles but they don't purposely drive their cars into trees either, ____ happens.

 

I don't know anyone that's hydrolocked a motor before. I've even driven a fairly low car through 3 feet of water and still have not hydrolocked the engine. Granted, it didn't have an aftermarket intake, but not many people drive their cars through 3 feet of water either.

I'm not saying hydrolock isn't possible, but the chances of it are not likely. The air bypass valve saps power and costs more. You can't use the harmonically tuned intake with it either.

 

And buying a $40.00 part will obviously sap a lot of HP out of our 300HP vehicle. Come on man, do you really think it will take a lot of HP out of our cars? :? Well, if you are that stingy, we can't really judge you. But be sure to post up your hydrolocked motor when it happens. :D

 

I'm not saying it's going to sap a lot of power out of the engine. But seriously, be realistic. You're buying a cold air intake to get more power out of your engine. Why would you install a part that limits it's ability to free up power?

I drive my motorcycle in the rain all the time. The actual intake track to the engine is a hell of a lot shorter than a cold air intake on an xB. My intake is much more susceptible to taking in water with the air. However, I still have yet to hydrolock my engine.

Your filter will have to be completely submerged for you even to suck up enough water to make hydrolocking a possibility. Even then, much of the water will evaporate on it's way to the engine.

Why is AEM the only supplier that markets the air bypass valve? I'm not saying it doesn't work, I'm just saying that it's not necessary unless you have huge potholes in your area and it rains all the time or you're gonna ford a river.

 

thats what I said! one company makes the valve. Atleast someone has some sense to agree with me

 

Just restating your point


Also, form what I've read, the injen short ram air intake is cheaper, makes more power than the AEM intake, and has a substantially smaller chance of hydrolock than the AEM. Yet, the Injen intake is cheaper.

I'm not attacking the AEM intake here, it's a great looking intake and is manufactured well. But the whole purpose is to gain horsepower with this. Why pay more to gain less power?

 

[quote="TheLeprechaun"][quote="Stylis"]To hydrolock your engine you have to completely submerged the filter. No the water will not evaporate on the way to the engine. There have been a few companies that have tried to copy design, but like I said its got a patent. So other companies recommend AEM's bypass valve since they can't copy it.

 

The concept cant be patented. The design, yes, but not the concept. If it were so important, another company would release one.

I also highly doubt you know anyone that hydrolocked their engine... They'd have to submerge the filter almost ENTIRELY to get enough suction to move a large body of water into engine!!!

Any droplets that DO make it into the intake tract will be evaporated by the heat before they do any damage... atleast this is what I've come to believe.

 

so.. back to the subject...


the link i posted.... the AEM there is a short ram??? Does anyone know if it performs better than the dealer installed?

I'm getting an intake with my tax return money.. But I cannot decide between the Typhoon and the Injen..... hmmmm..


Think it would be nice for a new dyno shootout.... with new intakes...

Injen..Spfr...AEM (dealer and short).. Weapon R... K&N.. and any others i left out??

 

No short ram, but 2 cold air intakes. IT's powerpage should be out soon for the xB with that intake, header and exhaust for your dyno results.