AEM Install question

[DooMer_MP3]

Hey AEM people,
I just put my intake on over the weekend. I must say I love it, and I can definitely feel a slight difference in the higher rpms. I also enjoy the mean sound it makes. However one thing concerns me. The manual said that no part of the pipe or filter should touch any part of the car. I spent like 20 minutes trying to adjust everything so this wouldn't happen. The pipe is all good, the problem is the filter touches this small flimsy rubber hose by the battery compartment near the bottom of the filter. If I move it ever so slightly the otherway, it touches another part of this hose that is just a piece of metal that bends at two right angles and has some rubber on one of these angles. It seems to me like there is no way to get the filter to not touch either of these. I don't want to damage my filter or anything after long use so help would be appreciated!

If nobody knows what I'm talking about, I'll borrow my girlfriend's digi-cam and take a picture or two.

Thanks!

Chris

 

[mazdamp3_18]

well if its touching rubber it shouldnt be a problem i wouldnt worry about rubber touching it.. but i have an aem too and it dosent touch anything at all.... except in the beginning when i almost rubbed a hole in my pipe due to the brake master cylinder....

 

[2002VividYellow]

Get yourself some Zip Ties & pull all the wires, hoses, etc anyway from anything that could rub.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

The AEM kit actually comes with 2 zipties. I guess they're there for a reason! I'll use those to be safe. Thanks!

Chris

 

[MILNE62]

If you read the racing beat website, it says that a short ram intake in the MP3 actually drops power because it somehow conflicts with the reprogramed ECU. The AEM shortram is made for the 2.0 protege, and not specifically the MP3 which has the afore mentioned ecu. The racing beat people said that they orginionally had a shortram intake in mind, but they found that it was actually detremental to the performance, and they did not have the time to make a Cold air unit, so they just messed around with the stock airbox a little. You should have gone with the Injen unit, even though AEM makes better stuff, because the Injen CAI is specifically made for the MP3.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

MILNE,
While I value your opinion, I do not believe the AEM is detrimental to performance in my car. I did research on this before I bought it, read the Racing Beat stuff and still decided on the AEM. For one thing, the AEM is not a conventional short ram. Most short rams I've seen look like our stock air pipe (although not made of rubber) with a filter attached at the end. Instead it bends down to an area where air comes through the grill (especially while moving) and also from the opening at the bottom of the engine bay. (*hides from all of the radiator nay-sayers*) ...

Also, I've heard many more complaints of people with the Injen about getting it fit properly and having vibrations and stutters in the engine.

While the butt dyno is virtually useless, I really did feel a little added kick above 3,000 rpms. My girlfriend who was skeptical about me adding this "stupid" part was a little surprised as well when she floored it. Again, take it with a grain of salt.

I think one of the most important things I noticed was driving to my parents house on a very hot day (Madison to Milwaukee) and feeling the throttle body after I stopped the car. It was nearly too hot to touch. When I installed the AEM and drove back from Milwaukee to Madison on a slightly hotter day and popped the hood to check my connections etc, I gave the throttle body a touch and was surprised by it being lukewarm.

Finally, I have to say that virtually any logically designed intake over the stock system is going to give better performance. Lets face it, that thing is quite restrictive.

There is always going to be debate on which is better, but I still am very happy with my choice. Thanks for your opinion though. Who knows, maybe if I had the Injen I would be happier. Oh well, its all moot when I can afford forced-induction .

Chris

P.S. I do not recall the Injen being MP3-specific. It is just CAI for all 2.0 engines...

 

[DooMer_MP3]

One last little thing. I re-read the Racing Beat stuff and it says at the end of the intake blurb:

".... since the release of the MP3, several aftermarket companies have release intakes for this application. Contact AEM for more information."

Now unless they're taking a share of profits from AEM, it can't be all THAT bad .

Chris

 

[MILNE62]

My apologies, I stand corrected. I guess if you have already installed it and are happy with it, thats hard to argue with. I do know that AEM makes the best intakes hands down. Its to bad they dont make a cold air for the 2.0.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

MILNE,
There was a rumor floating around before about one being in the works in the new 2002 AEM catalog, but it was just the short rams making an appearance. I don't think we'll see one from AEM since they claim they tested short/CAI and saw better performance from the short ram. Who knows if they actually did this .

Chris

 

[JMS'sMSP]

hello

Getting back to Dooer's original question I put my filter on the very end of the pipe so that it is underneath the aforemetioned line. That way it does not hit it at all. I also love the throater sound that the AEM gives as well as the look it adds to the engine bay. I have not Dynoed mine but I can as you say butt dyno and I too feel a difference at high rpm's. I also agree that any intake weather it be short ram or CAI has to be better that that stock contraption of plastic and airbox.... C'mon

 

[Zoomer]

Does anyone have a picture of what the AEM intake installed should look like?
Thanx

 

[JMS'sMSP]

Does anyone have a picture of what the AEM intake installed should look like?
Thanx

If you go to the WingsWest website they have a picture of and AEM installed on there MP3 Protege.

 

[Zoomer]

If you go to the WingsWest website they have a picture of and AEM installed on there MP3 Protege.

Hi I went there and it says its a AEM cai. I didnt know they made a CAI for our cars. Is it a Short ram ?
Do the shortrams for a 5 sp. go down low by the hole under the overflow tank?

 

[JMS'sMSP]

Hi I went there and it says its a AEM cai. I didnt know they made a CAI for our cars. Is it a Short ram ?
Do the shortrams for a 5 sp. go down low by the hole under the overflow tank?

That is how my AEM Short Ram looks from that angle.