Myth: AEM Bypass Valve doesn't work
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Myth: AEM Bypass Valve doesn't work
Truth: It does.
Everybody talking about the bypass valve not working have *no* clue. If these guys are willing to submerge the filter and whatnot and attempt to ruin an NSX, it must be a good product, right?
I think it's well worth the extra $25 or whatever to get the filter.
Everybody talking about the bypass valve not working have *no* clue. If these guys are willing to submerge the filter and whatnot and attempt to ruin an NSX, it must be a good product, right?
I think it's well worth the extra $25 or whatever to get the filter.
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well it works until you get the bypass wet as well. i met this kid who raced in the rain and somehow his bypass got wet and blew his motor. it was a 2001 celica.
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Rep Power: 0 I have it because I would rather be safe than sorry. I recommend it to all ppl with CAI but especially to the ones that are lowered because the filter is alot closer to the ground.
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Originally Posted by RiceRocketeer
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Rep Power: 812 It doesn't work. There I said it again. When will yor filter be completely submerged? It only works when completely under water. I didn't read anything about parts of it just getting wet. So I guess it's good if you're driving in a flooded area.
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Originally Posted by gearbox
It doesn't work. There I said it again. When will yor filter be completely submerged? It only works when completely under water. I didn't read anything about parts of it just getting wet. So I guess it's good if you're driving in a flooded area.
Honestly, I think for those that have a CAI, it's a cheap investment for peace of mind, if anything else.
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From: Gainesville, Ga.
Rep Power: 0 Gearbox is right..My friend had one on his AEM cold air and the filter got really wet, but not submerged...Guess what, his engine hydro'd....Don't get it unless you plan on running your car in 2 feet of standing water...Also, on some applications, it takes away from your top-end torque due to the the rubber flaps opening when under WOT...
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Rep Power: 368 I got my hands on an AEM filter at my dealership's performance shop and debated buying it and retrofitting on my Injen RD. Examining the flaps, I asked the same question cwick just addressed: at WOT, will the rubber be rigid enough to NOT cave in and start pulling air in from the engine bay? Didn't seem to be so back on the shelf it went. It's not like there's some kind of sensor that senses when there's an increased vacuum of some specific numeric value (indicating a waterlogged filter) and opens a valve in the bypass, it's just a rubber bladder, which can be affected by heat, moisture, and time, all of which can eventually hinder the bladder's ability to open or close when needed.
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Rep Power: 0 Your right Telly, if you take a look at the flaps, they appear to be fleminsy in regards of the product not letting air in under a lot of pressure (in and out)...I don't want to knock others for buying this product or the people that already have it....I just want to give some insight on personal expierence of this product...It's not 100% safe, but if you ever find yourself about to go through a flood like situation, it's better to have it than without.
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Rep Power: 0 me too, i have injen cai with no bypass valve, and my car is very low to the ground. I"ve driven many days where the rain was coming down very hard. I think as long as u aren't stupid and not revving ur engine in a foot high puddle, u really don't need a bypass valve.
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From: Miami (Pembroke Pines), Florida
Rep Power: 453 I just say if you are worried about getting water into your engine, just stick with a SRI or stock intake. And yes, those bypass valves take away some air getting into the throttle body. I still there they are crap.
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Rep Power: 368 it only works well when FULLY SUBMERGED.
AEM never really fully disclose that.
also, even when its fully submerged, it wont be 100% too. there's plenty other factors.
that article is like 4 years old. it was one sided then, and still is now.
next time check more.. I think this has been covered before even on this forum.
AEM never really fully disclose that.
also, even when its fully submerged, it wont be 100% too. there's plenty other factors.
that article is like 4 years old. it was one sided then, and still is now.
next time check more.. I think this has been covered before even on this forum.
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Rep Power: 0 Okay, so the bypass valve works.
Either way, it still sucks due to the terrible build quality. Everyone knows that our engines tend to rock back and forth under heavy acceleration. Well, I have seen this particular example happened several times. Once to my friend, once to me, and a couple others I know. In my friends case, me and him both went to the store to get some junk food, came back to his car, and started it up. all of a sudden, the engine started to rev on its own, over-revving itself. We immediately shut if off. I dismantled the AEM CAI. The bypass valve fell apart immediately. I looked into the throttle body and noticed a piece of black plastic stuck in the butterfly valve.
I believe the plastic doesn't withstand weather to well. It became extremely brittle and cracked into several pieces.
This happened to me too. I was taking off my filter to clean it one day and while removing it, I noticed that the lower intake pipe (after the bypass valve) was unusually loose. Upon further inspection, I saw that my own bypass valve had cracked into multiple pieces and the foam torn in several places.
I feel as if this valve was made in China or something. That is what I felt the quality was comparable to.
Take my word for it, it is not worth the trouble. It could cause more trouble than its worth.
Either way, it still sucks due to the terrible build quality. Everyone knows that our engines tend to rock back and forth under heavy acceleration. Well, I have seen this particular example happened several times. Once to my friend, once to me, and a couple others I know. In my friends case, me and him both went to the store to get some junk food, came back to his car, and started it up. all of a sudden, the engine started to rev on its own, over-revving itself. We immediately shut if off. I dismantled the AEM CAI. The bypass valve fell apart immediately. I looked into the throttle body and noticed a piece of black plastic stuck in the butterfly valve.
I believe the plastic doesn't withstand weather to well. It became extremely brittle and cracked into several pieces.
This happened to me too. I was taking off my filter to clean it one day and while removing it, I noticed that the lower intake pipe (after the bypass valve) was unusually loose. Upon further inspection, I saw that my own bypass valve had cracked into multiple pieces and the foam torn in several places.
I feel as if this valve was made in China or something. That is what I felt the quality was comparable to.
Take my word for it, it is not worth the trouble. It could cause more trouble than its worth.
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Rep Power: 0 Maybe something was wrong with yours because I have had mine for over a year and I havent had any problems with it. It still looks brand new to 
Last edited by ZdS03Civic; Aug 11, 2004 at 12:20 AM.
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Rep Power: 291 never had an issue with mine, and to boot with it (even though i will NEVER cause it to function) if i did some how lock/blow my motor Honda will cover under my extended warrenty, and the CAI will not be considered as a reason of failure.
