I'm just starting out with modding my 03 ES. So far I've installed front and rear strut bars. Then I came across cai's on ebay from 3 different companies. After analyzing pics and reading about company reps. I filtered the obvious cheapos out. Careful reading of their seller info tends to give a general profile of co., just in case **** hits the fan and you get screwed over like so many other to good to be true items listed. The one that stood out was from trivision auto. This one seems to have the best quality, and description of item. I decided to buy it over the weekend. $200.00+ is a lot to throw down on an aem, though they make great products. I'm only looking for a simple routed mandrel bend aluminum tube, with silicone couplers and hose clamps. Fit and durabilty is a big issue. I also realize aem has spend mucho denero on R&D. But w/o forced induction does tuned length mean a whole lot to performance. Do you think a company that is selling intakes for $90 is buying new cars to test fit. I don't. Most likley they are stolen right from a popular design. There's profit in letting someone else do the homework. I couldn't get the link to work for you guys but check it. This is my 2 cents. Any thoughts on this?

 

It looks damn good and I would get it if I wasn't going Forced induction.

 

I've been debating it a while, I still don't know if i should even bother buying one of these, because for all i know it myte fail, or jus simply suck.

 

I have an injen and according to the bends that closely resembles one. It should work.

Cold air is cold air but be careful if it rains by you a whole lot.

WADAD

 

I have a G-Tech meter (as the crowd sneers). I'll do my best to get a control and post some results. I'll let you know about fit, finish. Yeah, I hope I have decent luck with moisture being it seems to snow 9months of the year here, its snowing now. Supposed to arrive beginning of next week.

 

the only thing thats really different looks like the mounting and supporting...the injen looks like it mounts to the Thermostat Housing...other than that it looks like an exact mock off...also PIPE IS JUST PIPE...i'm sure if the bends are that similar the only differences that could make it better would be a better MAF plate and Filter...

-Adam

 

I just bough one of thoes and as soon it arrives I will let you know how the finish and the fitment is. I just payed for it today with paypal and it is coming from CA to WA. so may 4 or 5 days of shipping.

 

Yah, thanks... I'ld love to hear about those intakes... its better than spending 200 dollars on one if i could just buy one off of ebay that is just as good.

 

the only thing is that it doesn't come with directions to how to instal the thing. so if anybody that has the aem or injen can hook me up with some advice that be great.
yes, I did search but I couldn't find anything on how to install a CAI.

 

ya its a good deal, but sadly my auto cant handle it..

 

I have one. It is very simple to install and it works just as well as the other brands.

 

Received intake today and installed after work. Idle is a bit loopy, even after 20 mins, but that was to be expected. Still not understanding why people are giving others a hard time about helping others find how-to's this is a resource for helping others improve the cars we love. Search "AEM CAI Install" lacks some details but one improvement I found was to removing the mock grill from the stock front bumper on my ES. This provides a channel of air directly to the intake, it also looks better imo. Removong all the plates dust plates from the front definately makes the install much easier. Just replace the 2 lower plates when finished with the install. Removing the small side mock grill requires removing 2 easy phillips screws and 1 difficult to reach phillips. I used a small electronics type screw driver about 3" long and a good bit of patience. It also helps if you have another person to help feed the intake up through the car, but one person can achieve this without much difficulty. The sound alone was reason enough to get the intake. Next step exhaust and get some pics.

 

never mind about the loopy idle. Some moran(me) put the mas air in backwards. Sometimes I can still amaze myself. Idle is smooth as stock when you put it in the right way. When it says professional installation recommended I usually think, aren't I? Stupid Stupid Stupid. I need a kick in the head.

 

let us know about the G-tech too.

WADAD

 

I intstalled my cold air too and it was great I had a little problem with the first mounting bracket right by the intake manafold but I fixed it by doing a little custom work. after all big gains and great item for the money. I defenetly recomed this CAI.
if anybody needs halp, pm me with your phone # and I will help you as much as i can with the installation process.