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I have a 2003 Civic EX coupe black. Just got it 3 monthes ago. Looking for my first performance mod. Already did my headlights. I got the halo projectors with black housing a ion blue projectors. Did the install myself. But anyways I am looking for information on what would be the most practical hp mod I can do to my car first. I have been looking at AEM V2 cai. I have seen the AEM V2 priced online for around $245-$265 a piece. Is this worth it? Or should I consider getting some other brand of cai? I have heard that the average gains for AEM V2 cai are 15-20/hp which I can't complain with that kind of gain. Just want to know if anyone has heard or seen of anything better and cheaper but still good quality mod to upgrade my hp on my civic. Thanks guys and girls.

 
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If you want a good hp gain, you want a turbo. All the sri or cai will get is 2-4 hp gain. 15-20 hp gains for jsut a intake on a d17a2 is very unlikely. A larger motor will see that gain, but not a civic. I have a K&N air filter, dc ss header, and dc tcs exhaust. I maybe got 10 or so hp from all that to the wheels. If you search this site, you'll find all different types of intakes people have. People have their own opinions about products. You have to look what you want to get out of your car in the long run.

 
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So do you think that a AEM V2 cai would be good for long run? At least until I can save up enough money for a turbo.

 
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I havent heard anything bad about that product. Its a cai, correct? If it is, you have to watch for submerging the air filter. You dont want to hydro lock you engine. A sri would surfice if you want to turbo later on. The choice is up to you.

 
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Yea it is a cai. I know that you do have to watch for submerging the air filter. I have heard that AEM makes a bypass valve that will pretty much eliminate any chance of hydro-lock. I was planning on making sure that I got one of those too.

 
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AEM V2 is over priced and the regular aem intake makes better gains than the V2. For a first performance mod either get an intake or exhuast. Don't get AEM V2 intake though. Either get AEM sri, cai, Injen sri, cai, or K&N fipkII.

 
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The bypass is over rated. People have hydro locked their car with a bypass valve. It works for a little water, but not for lots of water. A regular aem cai, sri would do fine. Or Injen sir or cai. Or....... There are sooo many opinions. Like I said before, its your choice. If you like it, than good for you. If you dont, than you dont.

 
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Really AEM V2 no good for the price? Well I know that my ride is completely stock. But hey I have to start somewhere. How are Injen cai's? Pretty good? I guess it really doesn't matter huh? They all pretty much have the same gains in hp. I am just trying to determine which is the best designed and quality on the market right now. By the way, my ride is automatic. Does that narrow my choices?

 
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Injen makes cai and sri for autos.

 
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Honestly, don't get an intake. I've been down that path already. I used to have an AEM SRI and it took away low end power. I'm now running stock for the best performance. The only intake that doesn't take away power is the FIPKII, but even that will still be noisy.

Just go with a K&N drop-in replacement filter that you can reuse. I've kept engine mods to a minimum, because everything will be a waste of money. Stick with small, cheap mods for now and save up for the turbo.

 
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Really..hmmm. I don't know about that. I mean I get what your saying that the intake will take away low-end power. That makes sense. And before this car I had a 1995 Honda Accord ex black coupe and I put in a k&n filter (reusable) and that worked out pretty good. Hmmmm. You got me thinking about this in a different way now. What about headers or exhaust could I swap out that while I'm saving for a turbo? Or would that be pointless to do until after I get the turbo?

 
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I only have a rear section exhaust for looks. I imagine you could get a full catback exhaust, since the turbo will benefit from larger exhaust pipes anyway. A custom header will already come with the turbo setup. Here's what I have done so far:

K&N drop-in filter
ground wire kit
thermal rear exhaust
NGK IX Iridium plugs
neuspeed upper strut bar

Nothing major. Just don't make the mistake of buying intakes and header that will give you 1-2hp and lots of noise. Stock will perform just as good, if not better in alot of cases. Turbo will make alot of difference, even at low boost (4psi).

 
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Work on the suspension. Screw engine mods, they're not worth it unless you turbo, or you swap.

 
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I've got a V2 and I've been very pleased with it. It gives a small, but noticable gain. I of course have nothing to do a side-by-side with, but I don't regret getting it. BTW, it's not a true CAI. It's somewhere inbetween. Closer to an SRI I'd say, so you won't have to worry about hydro-lock. I really like the way it sounds too. It's pretty quiet when you're just cruising around, but when you get on it, it's got a nice throaty sound with a higher note in the background. AEM claims the dual sound waves help give a more consistant charge of air. I don't know about that, but it does sound nice. If I had it to do again, I'd still get the V2. Anyway, that's my two cents. Hope it helps.

-Fitz

 
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i have the aem v2 love it would not go with any thing oter then aem v2
love the sound of it when you git on it

hope it helps

 
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Yea Fitz, Thanks. I was beginning to think that no one likes the V2 I've read reviews and it sounds pretty sweet. Do you have other mods done to your car or just the AEM V2? How is it with low end power? Does it feel like you have lost low end power?

 
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Couldn't have said it better. I notice ALOT of low end power LOST with my SRI. I thought it was my spark plugs.

 
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Hmmmm. You guys...man I'm getting mixed reviews on this. Ok so here me out. I should just kit a K&N filter for my ride. Save my money for my turbo. Maybe do a DC or Greddy exhaust? And maybe some Denso Iridium spark plugs too? What about some AEM cam gears? Or replace my drive pulleys with AEM ones? What do you think? Should that be good enough till I get my turbo? And also I am currently considering a K20 swap. Cheap mods and small mods would just seem a lot more efficient moneywise until I get in the market for a turbo or K20 swap. AM I RIGHT GUYS AND GIRLS?????

 
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if you do go with an aftermarket intake do not get the V2 it is advertised for more hp than it actually puts out. And any other intake for cheaper puts out more or the same hp ratings. Do a search about the V2.

 
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Hey thanks man I think I am going to definitely do that. See what the dyno tests say.

 
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Sounds good!

 
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proof not to get V2

proof 1

proof 2

proof 3

 
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I have the K&N air filter. I like it and I felt a difference when I put it in. Of course, I have h/e as well.

 
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oh here is some more proof on why not to get the V2

proof 4

 
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Has anyone ever seen one of the really cheap intakes that are on the ebay side bar in person? All things being equal and a turbo being the goal, I was thinking that spending $50 on an intake looked pretty cool.

 
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I think some people have them, but you have to modify it a little to also have a upper sway bar. I think thats right.

 
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I have the cheap intake, but you have to modify any intake (even AEM and K&N) except for the racer design or the injen short ram if you have an upper sway bar. You don't have to modify any intake if you get the neuspeed or dc upper strut bars.

 
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cool cause I have the neuspeed upper bar so i should be golden. What about the actual pieces? are they made reasonably well? does it fit like its supossed to?

 
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they fit fine.

 
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I would get greddy over dc, and NGK plugs over denso. Just from what I've heard. Don't bother with cam gears or pulleys. They don't do much, unless you go with the dh racing pulley. But that means no A/C or Power steering.