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I have an '05 civic lx se, automatic (unfortunately...), and I've been looking into a few different sri's, including fujita, k&n's 57 series, and the weapon r.

My question is: with my engine, would you guys recommend that I get a sri with a heat shield? Naturally, I want to avoid heat soak as much as possible, but with such a small (1.7L) engine, I'm not sure I need it.

Thoughts?

 
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Yea, its probably not going to make much of a difference with the D17. Like you said, you want to avoid heat soak but its not needed.

I have a CAI and I can feel a difference in throttle response when the air is cooler. On a cool night it takes longer for me to lose that response and torque but it eventually goes away after driving for so long.

Since we have such a small horsepower engine it might be worth the extra money to squeeze evey ounce of power we can get out of it, maybe not, it's up to you.

 
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Doesn't hurt to have it so why not.. really up to you but like G said...

 
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Thank you for the suggestions, both of you. Can either of you recommend or have experience with a certain brand over another? The main reason I want a K&n is because the heat shield is included, but my knowledge of SRI's is limited.

 
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I personally have an Injen CAI that converts to a SRI. It was a direct fit, found it used on eBay for $100.

 
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Did it come with/do you use a heat shield? Do you have to replace the filter, or is it washable? How's the sound?

 
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No it didn't come with a heat shield and I don't use one. I always have it on the CAI configuration so it doesn't need one. Yes the filter is washable. I would like I get an AEM Dryflow filter at some point but the Ingen one works. It's sounds great when you slam on the gas. I used to have a video of the intake sound ill see if I can find it.

Most guys just buy a cheap eBay intake and just by a nice filter for it. Only downside really is that it might not fit well or might hit a strut bar if you have one or are planning on getting one.

 
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Thank you for all your help, GolNat. Do you (or anyone else) know offhand if a k&n filter fits nicely on a, say, AEM or Injen intake?

I also read somewhere, I think elsewhere on this forum, that some manufacturers test their sri's moreso than others, which is what makes me want to go k&n for the whole thing, versus getting a cheap intake and putting a better filter on the end. Does the brand matter much, or are they all mostly the same?

 
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As long as the filter is the correct diameter for the pipe and height then yes you can fit it on any intake. Just measure the filter that comes with the intake and get one of similiar dimensions.

Your paying for the research and development that goes into making the intake. For example some eBay intakes will hit a strut tower bar. This is because they didn't design around the idea that the vehicle will probably not remain stock and the person might want to add a bar. Also quality control standards are lowered with cheap stuff so there failure rate is higher.

Meeting certain requirements like CARB approval also makes some like Injen more exspensive because they did the neccessry testing to meet the standards.

A brand new Injen is close to $300. I didn't want to spend that much for something that's not going to give me $300 worth of power so I found a used one for $100. But it's CARB approved and fits perfectly.

 
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That makes things a lot easier for me to understand. It probably wouldn't be wise to spend $300 on 5-10 hp, haha.

 
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Also, as far as CAI's go, where do you place yours? I live in MN, and I'm worried about getting one because I don't want to get the filter soaked if I drive through a puddle, snow, ect. and of course potholes.

 
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can buy from places like Carid also.. think they have some 100-150 dollar ones too.

I dont know which is better i think SRI for where you are might be better but i know people who say thier CAI's are good to. you would have to go through a large amoung of water to damage it to much..but again I dont know since i love in VA.

 
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K&N is the only one that includes a heatshield.

Personally, intake tubing is intake tubing.
No need to spend $250 on a name brand.

If you are worried about heat soak, you could wrap your headers too.

 
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Injen puts it behind the radiator overflow tank. I'm lowered and have never had a problem with it. I don't use a bypass valve but you could. It only helps if you actually submerge the whole filter in water. I just avoid crossing large puddles or areas where the road is flooded. We don't get to much snow but that would dirty it up faster.

Here is a pic:



Can't really see very well but the filter is down there:

 
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Wrapping your headers like Kenny said is a good idea also. You could even wrap the intake tube for more protection from heat.

 
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I believe Weapon R is the only one good with a strut bar, not exactly sure.

My AEM V2 sits right behind the battery, The air is def cooler than when it was directly above my tranny.

 
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It might have more to do with who makes the strut bar. Neuspeed and DC go back toward firewall to clear the intake, others don't.