Whats the big deal! intake..for example.. AEM vs a Ebay

[ragedx]

Cold air intake..for example.. AEM vs a Ebay one..both look the same! is there really a difference? Same thing with the strut bars.

 

[xxraptor660xx]

No difference really. Except when you buy from AEM you're putting money into a trusted, reputable company. Some people find that important when buying performance parts.

 

[d32a]

If you want to risk a leak damaged internal parts etc. just saving a few dollars for performance will cost you in the long run. Don't be cheap and just buy the higher quality brand. They actually test their products unlike flimsy cheap ebay products where the fitment is incorrect and doesn't last. Buy from a trusted brand.

 

[RedTalon95]

An intake is a simple product, not much to it. There really isn't much difference between the two, if any at all. In this case, I would definitely say buying the ebay brand is well worth the savings. I've run ebay intakes on quite a few cars and most of them sound just as good as AEM or other performance brands, and, to my knowledge, performed just as well. It is pretty difficult to mess up a pipe.

 

[ChunkyLover53]

A lot of people have been successful with ebay intakes, exhausts, and even other parts. There are some items that we agree should not be purchased off ebay such as pistons/rods, water pump, oil pump to name a few. Most people agree that when dealing with internals or stuff in the general timing belt area it is better to get OEM, or forged internals. But as far as an intake or exhaust.... it really is just pipe and if you want to spend 500 dollars on a cat back that is fine, but some of us would like to spend our money elsewhere.

 

[-LA-]

I agree. I have bought alot of off ebay and keep it to intake, exhaust, etc. I would buy that item without another second thought.

I have a AEM CAI, but if i had to buy on, ebay for sure. I know people on here and other sits that have any went as far as buying turbos(complete kit), engines and so on nd have saved hundreds. Go for it,

 

[Tsi_User]

If you want to risk a leak damaged internal parts etc. just saving a few dollars for performance will cost you in the long run. Don't be cheap and just buy the higher quality brand. They actually test their products unlike flimsy cheap ebay products where the fitment is incorrect and doesn't last. Buy from a trusted brand.

Or you can always post up what products you're thinking about buying on here, seeing that many DSMers (including myself) are on the hunt for cheap costing high quality parts.

And im not sure how you could damage your internals with an intake or strut tower bar, unless your intake sucks up water from it's placement or you're just jamming the end of the strut power bar into your throttle body

 

[EclipseSH21]

An intake doesn't do anything anyway. 8hp? Like you'll notice the difference. I guess the sound is nice though.

Think about it. What is an intake? its a piece of pipe with a filter shoved on the end. I'd be more worried about the quality of the filter, then name on the pipe. I'd go with buy whichever one looks nicest.

Make sure to buy one with provisions for the VC breather and EGR. If turbo, make sure to get one with a recirc provision too. You'll lose power without these.

 

[tommy260]

You need to read the sellers feedback on ebay and see what others have said about the product. Its pretty easy to pinpoint a piece of junk, especially if the price is ridicously low. Any time I have ever purchased something through ebay I first read all of the negative reviews that seller has recieved, then base my decision on that.

 

[JusMX141]

An intake doesn't do anything anyway. 8hp? Like you'll notice the difference. I guess the sound is nice though.

8hp? Yeah right.

His car is a n/t. Once I installed an AEM true CAI (the one that locates the air filter behind the front bumper) on my '97 GS and the only thing it did was bring water into my engine. It didn't make the car sound better, it didn't improve fuel mileage, and it sure as hell didn't add any power.

If you insist on buying one, go as cheap as possible....that way you won't feel so bad when you throw it away.

 

[DarkCreep]

Intakes are very simple items that even the eBay ones are a great replacement. Id stick to short ram though. I put a $40 eBay quality intake in my GF's Civic and it sounds and looks great. Id do it again if I should. Even then you can get a K&N filter and swap it out if you please.
AEM intakes wont add much more power, if any from an eBay intake. Same non-restrictive piping.