It is my everday driver so i am looking more for practicality, than the performance, although it is still important. A guy on the forum recently said his aem cai was pretty damn loud, i was wondering if the comptech ice box is any quiter, and if so, how much quiter. I would also like to know how hard an intake is to install. I am not a mechanic and i am not a motorhead, so is there anything tricky i should know about before throwing it on there. Thanks alot

 

Comptech is much more quiet than the AEM. More of a deeper growel rather than the "racey" scream of the AEM.

The Icebox is definately more practical in everyday use because it is less prone to hydrolock but it can still happen.

Installing an aftermarket cold air intake will probably take you aroudn 2 hours time if you have never done anything like this before. It is not very difficult and nothing wrong can really happen.

Make a thread if you ever need help on installing the intake.

 

AEM Cold Air Intake SCREAMS VTEC!

 

I run the comptech cold box and love it, it sounds almost completely stock, but with a more aggresive growl up high. As far as practicality and daily driving is concerned the ice box is the way to go. Comptech assures that is almost impossible to hydro-lock, and if you see it in person, you'll understand why, in addition, it's so much easier to clean it's crazy!!!!

In any case, I'd go with the ice box, it really is a heck of a lot more practical, especially if it rains, or there is a lot of standing water where you live.

Later!
Aj

 

Go with The AEM definatly. I just put oneon my 98 TYPE R and it just opened it up and it screams, but only when you want it to. You have to really rev it up to hear a big diffrence.

 

I dont know about all that, when I put a cold air in my car, it sounded quite different all across the RPM band, even down low. I think you just got used to it after a while.....

Any way, like I said, depends on what you're looking for, the AEM is a little more power, but a lot more noise, and WATCH FOR WATER!!!!!

Later,
Aj

 

I have both. Swap back and forth from time to time actually. I think the AEM makes 1-2 more peak HP. THe icebox seems to pull a little harder pre-VTEC.

I like the sound of the ICEBOX MUCH MUCH better then the schreak of the AEM. AEM is too oversated.

 

I thought with AEM's CAI, you only need to worry about hydrolocking from having your intake submerged in water. I've had mine in my car for about 2 months. No problems yet. As for the water by-pass valve, I heard from an AEM representative, you don't need to worry about having one, unless you're on the east coast, or where it rains a lot. Over here, on the west coast, you shouldn't really need it. Although El Nino is coming around again... :?
But, if it is possible to have AEM CAI hydrolock my motor up (other than submerged), I'll definately not drive in the rain. As far as I know though, you can only get hydrolocked from having your intake submerged in water.

 

I have had the AEM CAI for just over a year and not one problem rain sun heat cold . nothing.

As as for rain Just drive reasonable- ya know speed limit or less let the weather conditions tell you how to drive. Common sense.

 

comptech is rich and deep sound... i have it and love it! I would say comptech .. for real, you will love it!!