For want of an intake, eBay was born (or "CAI" for the rest of us)

[Joojoo]

I would like to change the air intake system on my '96 240SX SE. I just took the ricer vs. racer test, so let's not get into the exact motivations for such a move, except to say that inspiration lies in both camps.

I have been looking at a variety of options for an air intake, cold air intake, cone air filter, or whatever you choose to call it. I have been met with unusually expensive prices from known brands (AEM, K&N, etc) and amazingly low prices for unknown brands (almost any eBay auction).

The appeal of the eBay intake kits is overwhelming. An entire system WITH a filter can be enjoyed for less than $20. Seems a bit incredulous to me, especially when some of these don't come with any instructions (who the hell sells a product with no documentation?).

So what gives? Has anyone actually TRIED these eBay wonder-kits? I'm a graduate aerospace engineering student, so as far as I can tell, a pipe is a pipe, whether it is labeled AEM or made in China. Of course, this leaves the question of the filter quality unanswered. Are these cheapo filters trustworthy? Some of them certainly look nice, but I would hate to have large particles or even broken pieces of filter mesh sucked into the engine. That can't be good for lap times.

The two that I'm looking at are:

Mugen - (the R/C car company?!? Sweet!)http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...&rd=1

Other brandhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...&rd=1

Any suggestions? I am obviously partial to the blue one, since in this case the ricer appeal overwhelms the chromatic effect. My stock filter is getting dirty and will need replacement soon. At this rate, I could replace the entire intake for a little bit more than I would spend at AutoZone.

Thanks for any help, inspiration, and critical product assessments.

Mujahid

[KDashy]

Those are all short ram intakes.

Many people say they "feel" a difference, and I myself would rather have an Injen/AEM over the "Ebay" brand

There really isnt much of a difference except at the filter, which you can easily swap out for a K&N. so problem solved, If you don't care/are not embarassed to say its a generic brand, then go fo rit.

btw, thats probably just a no name intake with a mugen sticker on it.

[NSR_s30]

Yeah all those cheaper intakes on Ebay are usually short rams.....I guess your decision all depends on how much money you want to spend.

[KDashy]

It will be important to note that the reputable companies have seperate intake models for the 95-96, and the 97-98's because the 97-98's have a different bracket for the air intake temperature sensor. while these ebay ones say "universal 95-98"

I believe it only requires a small amount of modification but it shows that these guys need to make these intakes cheap and fast in order to sell them cheap and fast, and quality is bound to be lower.

[BadMojo]

Just a guess here, but I wouldn't be shocked if some of the Ebay intakes have somewhat iffy fitment. Other than that, like Kdashy said, you can always swap out the filter.

Personally, I'd spring for an Injen or AEM and be sure that it fits. I don't like wasting time ****ing around with crappy parts that don't fit.

[Neejay]

Checkout Hotshot as well

http://www.hotshot.com/main.htm

[Zydeco]

and for you cali people you need a CARB sitcker too, I'll bet the E-bay ones dont have that.

[ILikeMy240sx]

Just get the apexi filter or JWT pop...

[Zyphar]

anyone know where i can find a Apexi intake for a KA 91 ?

those that are like $130 are with the piping and fitments ?

[tonynalli]

Quote »Just a guess here, but I wouldn't be shocked if some of the Ebay intakes have somewhat iffy fitment. Other than that, like Kdashy said, you can always swap out the filter.[/quote]i just rececntly purchased an ebay intake and it fit perfectly. and as for the need for any documentation on how to install the intake, its ipretty much slef explanitory, its pretty much plug and play. granted there are silicone couplings that need to get figured out ont ehre exact location but that only took me 5 minuets. but they come with a ****ty filter, its really small, i just got a k&n filter and it works great.

[wafflez66]

do you have the name of the ebayer you got your intake from? or are they all just about the same?

[tonynalli]

no i dont, i would assume that they are all about the same, but it works real well. all you need to do is get a better filter.

[Neejay]

no i dont, i would assume that they are all about the same, but it works real well. all you need to do is get a better filter.

What sucks is that there arent any for sohc. I'd just get an ebay one, and change the filter.

[Dattebayo]

You dont need an intake.You will not get any more power out of it. (1-2 hp)If you dont believe me, look at the hole size in your MAFS.Why do i say all this?Because you need an exhaust before you install an intake.

Oh and its called CAE, as in cold air extension, meaning the piece that goes down into your bumper...
Modified by 2BN_S13 at 2:29 AM 10/31/2004

[Joojoo]

I'm not sure what to think about the filters. For the most part, the pipes are exactly the same. In fact, I can't tell any difference at all between one of the cheese-box eBay types and the $200 name brand filters. As long as it's made out of any reasonable metal, I can't see how one would be better than the other. There's nothing corrosive going through there (one would hope) and it's not subject to any particularly high stresses from pressure, so what makes one pipe better than another (apart from that pretty blue color, of course).

As for the filter, if you look carefully at the pictures, there are some pretty creative ideas. Some filters have what look to be a metalic mesh with a cotton or otherwise porous interior material. Others look more like the typical K&N filter with the corrugated conical section. Others just look like a ball of yarn on the end of a pipe.

The overwhelming sentiment I've heard is that they're pretty much a fluff upgrade, although it doesn't hurt the car to put it on. At best, the stock motor will produce a half a stable more horsepower and be somewhat louder to boot.

I can't say that I understand intake aerodynamics well at all, although the stock Nissan design with all it's curves, dips, and bends "looks" like it would cause more constriction than the short L-shaped pipes.

[MikeMurphy]

I bought an "injen" from a buddy with a kouki. Had black paint on it and such and I have no idea where it came from or exactly what make it was. Mine being the zenki, the only problem I had was fitment of my M's filter past the charcoal canister. Needless to say, I spent 15 minutes removing the charcoal canister and called it a day. Fitment was not perfect but why the hell do I need perfect? Its close enough that you would not notice anyways.

A pipe is a pipe and if it follows the same shape as the more expensive models, I would not think twice about buying it. I bought my ghetto pipe for CDN$50 and I am happy with it, and would in no way purchase anything more expensive. I noticed no power gains on the butt dyno beyond the stock intake with a cone filter on the end.

Oh and I just leave my intake temp sensor dangling. Have not had any problems with it thus far.