I'm gonna get either a AEM SRI or an INJEN CAI, but i was looking at pricing, and the AEM is waaay less and looks like better quality overall, the power gain from the 2 are going to be so low that I am having trouble justifing 100 bucks more for 1 hp or so, but, I was thinking about it, since the AEM is in the engine bay, does the car overheat more easly? Has anyone had a problem with this? or do I not need to be concernd? Thanks!

 

No, the intake location will not make anything overheat. The intake will just suck in warmer air, which theoretically will make less power. However, with the short ram, you won't risk hydrolocking the engine in deep water, the engine will run better in cold weather, it may have better throttle response, and of course you will spend less.

 

the "theoretical" loss in power due to warmer air will all be overcome by a better flowing intake

when I dyno'd my car when it was stock before, it netted 2whp gain when we lifted the airbox wide open... so think from there

 

watch out for smog testing your car in the future. I live in CA which is the strictest state in the nation as far a air quality is concerned; and sucking warm air from the engine compartment will sky rocket your hydrocarbons. This may not be a big deal, just giving you the heads up. I guess you could also put the stock air box back in if you needed to.

 

not a problem if it's CARB approved

 

Not necessarily. Warm air is usually GOOD for emissions because fuel atomizes better in warm air and burns more completely. This is why almost all stock intakes have the inlet located within the engine compartment, and it's also why your Protege's throttle body is warmed by the engine coolant. Granted, it's not good for the intake to be located right on top of the exhaust manifold, but the AEM Short Ram locates the air filter over the tranny, away from most of the hotter engine components.

 

there's an "optimal" temperature range for the best fuel atomization... too cold and too hot means more emissions, less performance.... which is why on the VERY cold days my car runs a bit slower and then on the 50 degree days, it hauls ***

 

Will heat shields do much for SRI?

 

Absorb and retain heat and make it even hotter than it already was...

 

if you want to save money on the CAI i am setting up a group buy for this. right now its looking like its going to be around 200 shipped. If this has any impact on your decision on which to purchase. if you are interested pm me! for more details you can search for "injen cai group buy" and it should come right up.