BOMZ v. INJEN v. K&N etc.

[dergin]

So I have been looking at getting a CIA for my 2002 Protege 5 2.0L and have been amazed at the price difference in intakes. I can find some on ebay for as little as $30 (BOMZ) and I can also find some for as much as $200 (Injen & K&N). Can somebody please tell me the difference in these products. As far as I can tell, the only difference seems to be the filter that comes with the system. Can't I just buy the cheap-o BOMZ and replace the filter with a K&N? Or is there a huge difference that I'm missing.

Thanks.

 

[IcedMp5]

I'd first do a search...there are plenty of threads that explain them in detail...if i wasn't so lazy i'd send you some links....I bought a Bomz from ebay and like it...it was worth every penny. I'll probably change the filter to a K&N soon, and will eventually get the injen.

also, welcome to the boards...i see you're in Houston, we're having a Mazda meet/BBQ this weekend...you're welcome to come and if you show then you can see the different intakes in person.

ice

 

[anarchistchiken]

There is a difference between the bomz and the others. A CAI isn't just about the filter. You can have the best filter in the world on a CAI but if the intake isn't designed well, and air can't flow freely into the engine. To make lots of air go fast, the intake has to be designed with out any sharp bends or anything. There are other, more technical answers that will emerge from this thread, but I'm not an engineer, so deal with it. I think it has something to do with the reverberations of the sound and how that vibrates the air or something like that. At least that's what the V2 diagram on AEM's website says

After all, if all intakes were the same, why wouldn't everyone in the entire world buy the Bomz, which, in many people opinions, sounds better anyway?

 

[Bijou-MP5]

AEM SRI ~ $130
Injen CAI ~ $200
K&N Typoon CAI ~$390

 

[tonkabui]

with the k&n typhoon, you have both a cai and a sri in one. you just gotta detach the second section of tubing and connect the filter there. it's a sweet design, albeit very expensive and not worth it. i have had the injen on all year and even monsoon floods have not slowed me down. you just gotta be smart about where you are gonna go and know how deep the water is before you enter the flooded areas.

 

[dergin]

Thanks everyone, the info has been very helpful. Ice, hopefully I will be seeing you this weekend at the BBQ, although I fear that it will only make my desire to mod my P5 grow exponentially.

 

[IcedMp5]

Hey Dergin, what side of town do you live on? a few of us are grouping up before the meet then heading down to clear lake together...

don't mean to jack the thread!

ice

 

[Matthew]

Sorry to be a pain in the ass mod, but we are trying to clean up all the forums to make it easier to search for items, and less cluttered. In the future, please post in the appropriate forum...example - Intakes, dispite being for the Protege5, belong in the performance section. Buying a carbon fiber hood for your Protege5 belongs in the Appearance section. If you raced someone in your Protege5 it still belongs in the Racing/Motorsports section. If you have any questions, comments, or complaints, feel free to PM me at any time.

Thanks again for your patience as we clear up the forums to make it better for you!

Another thread bound for the performance section...

 

[slcp5]

The problem with the bomz is that it has 3" pipes wich are actually just too big. as the pipes get bigger the velocity of the air slows, most logical people think bigger pipe more air, but at high rpm's that air needs to move fast to be effective, as you'll see the aem and k&n typhoon and other brands use smaller pipes on their cai's.

 

[Matthew]

Ok, here are the low-downs on intakes (please read, good info):

First, you have two types, CAI (cold air induction) and SRI (short ram intake). For the most part, you have two name brands that make intakes: Injen, and AEM. Injen makes the CAI and AEM makes the SRI. Also, you can purchase a no-name, Bomz, or other off brand intake from eBay with simliar results to the SRI.

Rumors: Dispite what a lot of people say, the two types of intakes do not yeild a significant power difference. I have owned both types and noticed NO, NONE, NADA, ZIP, ZILCH increase between the SRI and the CAI. The basic difference is 1) Looks (the Injen you can get in different powdercoated colors), and 2) Personal Preference. The eBay intake will yield almost IDENTICAL results to the AEM SRI power wise. In my opinion, the eBay ones look like junk, but they serve their purpose...I had an eBay intake before my Injen...it's a good intake for a tight budget.

Another rumor is that you will have to worry about the CAI taking in water and destroying your engine...while this is theorectically possible, it will not happen unless you submerge your intake in water (ie - drive through a 2ft deep puddle)...the CAI is hidden in your wheel well behind the plastic shield which is screwed in...if you are especially nervous, you can always get the AEM bypass valve, although I personally think it's a waste of money.

Prices: You are going to spend significantly more money for the Inejn or AEM intake over the eBay intake. And you are going to spend more money for the Injen over the AEM. A lot of owners feel it's worth the money to be able to get your intake in Black, Red, Blue, Silver, etc, and therefore spend their money on the Injen. Frankly, if you don't care about name brands, or care what people think when you open your hood (if you even open your hood), I would not waste my money on the Injen or AEM...but that's just my opinion, and many hours have been wasted arguing this point. Many owners have found the best prices for the Injen at www.adventon.com...