Intake Comparison

[cncBilly]

My exhaust is stock so it should be a big change.

It is. you're going to love it.

 

[xot1]

See my review includes video of sound from inside 3.3TT - Review on the Injen Short Ram Dual Intake Kit

Nice, I didn't know that you made a video. Thank you!

 

[xot1]

Look at who is here:

 

[ecko04]

FWIW, I have a Stillen intake, which didn’t have any fitment issues *gasp*, with everything else stock and picked up 13whp.

If the Stillen wasn’t one of the first things I picked up when I got the car I would’ve tried the DIY methods.

 

[Pkuparker]

I'm leaning towards the DIY intake, but I was curious to know if anyone has the AEM intake set up and how that one works and sounds. Anybody have this one?

 

[Theemfinger]

So I bought the Spectre pieces to do the intake and I love the sound, however I feel rude to the car and not sure my path forward. I plan on keeping an intake, and value wise the Spectre intake wins easily. But it doesn't look great and it's not sealed off. I would want to create some enclosure so it doesn't suck in hot air as I live in the south, but I don't think anything diy here will look great. I also question the quality of budget filters and tubing. Ideally I want the AEM intake, but I'm sitting here with $57 invested right now trying to get myself to spend an extra $430 for the AEM kit. I also thought about just upgrading to the AEM dry filters for 45$ each and keeping the diy, but not sure what that gets me.

Anyone have any thoughts or went through this decision? I value reliability and would rather not have a piece of plastic or something get sucked into a turbo, but if Spectre is decent quality I am okay with it.

 

[CoconutRob]

Look at who is here:

View attachment 26815

Did you consider agency power, and if so what made you pick aem over it? Thanks Rob

 

[Blitz]

Did you consider agency power, and if so what made you pick aem over it? Thanks Rob

I have owned/installed/drove around with both. Performance wise there was almost no difference, quality wise it isnt even close. AEM destroys AP. Intakes fit better, look better, and use parts that are high quality in comparison. Sound is basically the same.

 

[xot1]

Did you consider agency power, and if so what made you pick aem over it? Thanks Rob

I don't like the semi-closed box design. The filter has not enough room to breathe and also the filter looks small.

 

[Pkuparker]

Has anybody compared the aem to injen or stillen? I found the aem intake for about $100 cheaper than the injen

 

[xot1]

I actually sold the AEM intakes as soon as I received them. I bought the Injen which I believe has a superior design for my needs.

 

[Gtecko]

The spectre filters aren’t good quality?? What makes you think that?

 

[Oryan]

The spectre filters aren’t good quality?? What makes you think that?

I, at the very least, have seen Spectre filters and piping collapse under vacuum and crack, just randomly, on multiple cars.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

I, at the very least, have seen Spectre filters and piping collapse under vacuum and crack, just randomly, on multiple cars.

9/10 of these instances are user error and typically using the wrong piping, and/or filters with not enough CFMs. Too much vacuum will do the same to any product and I’ve heard the same thing with K&N, AEM, etc.

Spectre may not be the #1 brand but they have excellent reviews on multiple different websites and my DIY setup is still awesome with over a year of 90degree temps and daily spirited driving.

To each their own but just saying your example & some of the horror stories happen to every brand not just Spectre.

 

[twig2121]

I just installed the AEM - I found it the best value for what was important to me - good insulation from the hot engine bay, reasonable price. Of course it let's in a lot of air as the others do and sounds similar. I'm interested to know how long the dry filters last, but they sound decent from other reviews (vs oiled filters, which I do have in other vehicles).

Installation was fine, I'm very handy, but I have three minor gripes - which aren't that bad, but could be better attention to detail:
1. the rubber edging that you install around the metal box was 2.5" short so I had to improvise
2. it appears like the lock washers are nickel steel where the other washer and bolt to be stainless (should all be stainless)
3. the plastic seams on the intake housing could have been sanded smooth for better fitment/seal when you put a hose on

I just installed, but I maintain it's the best one for me - I'll give AEM some grief about the items above, but overall fitment was good.

Note: I also used the driver's side metal box as the foundation to bolt my catch can to...

 

[xot1]

I just installed the AEM - I found it the best value for what was important to me - good insulation from the hot engine bay, reasonable price. Of course it let's in a lot of air as the others do and sounds similar. I'm interested to know how long the dry filters last, but they sound decent from other reviews (vs oiled filters, which I do have in other vehicles).

Installation was fine, I'm very handy, but I have three minor gripes - which aren't that bad, but could be better attention to detail:
1. the rubber edging that you install around the metal box was 2.5" short so I had to improvise
2. it appears like the lock washers are nickel steel where the other washer and bolt to be stainless (should all be stainless)
3. the plastic seams on the intake housing could have been sanded smooth for better fitment/seal when you put a hose on

I just installed, but I maintain it's the best one for me - I'll give AEM some grief about the items above, but overall fitment was good.

Note: I also used the driver's side metal box as the foundation to bolt my catch can to...

I also think the AEM is the best all around intake for the money.
If performance is the ultimate goal I believe JT intake and SSR front mounted intake deserve the crown, then Injen in 3rd position.
After that AEM and K&N. Finally, AP and Stillen would be my last pick, but I would rather go for K&N stock filter replacement with snorkles.
Only my personal opinion, not a statement.

 

[JP's_Stinger]

but I would rather go for K&N stock filter replacement with snorkles

Snorkles?? What are those?

 

[xot1]

Snorkles?? What are those?

VelossaTech Bigmouth
Not sure of the word

 

[Manaz]

VelossaTech Bigmouth
Not sure of the word

The word was apt enough. I know what you meant.

This, right?

 

[xot1]

A little bit boring in black?
Sound is not as loud as I feared!
I did not test the performance yet.


Wooshhhhh