Installed Gen 3 CAI (attached pics)
 

After 4 1/2 hours... should've been 2 1/2~3 but I took out some parts that werent necessary and screwed in the underlaying cover part over the bumper.


As far as performance goes... I can definitely feel the power increase in the higer RPM. Sound is marginal in the lower RPM but gets agressive in the higher RMP.

Next in line for me are headers... Any suggestions? I did see Stillen made some at a reasonable price and they claim really good gains.

I was trying to stay away from exhausts mainly because I had about 4 fix it tickets on my acura cl. Will the intake + headers be meaningless without it?

kewl

Awesome, cant wait to install mines. Which parts were unnecessary to remove? Thanks!

The stillen headers are a waste of time and money I wouldnt bother with them you wont really get any gains. The only headers that offer gains are the FI long tube headers. To optimize gains though you should get an exhaust system.. Doesnt have to be a loud exhaust system there are some quiet options out there.

Coaster: There are rubber splash guard type of thing underneath the car that should come off with the bumper and the plastic covers that are closest to the front wheels do not need to come off. Plus the middle plastic cover needs to be under the bumper when putting them back on NOT over the bumper. Good luck.

Semtex LOST peak power when he went from Stillen Headers to FI longtubes. I would agree that headers, in general, are a waste of money for this car. The stock ones work well. I would get an exhaust like Daishi said. High Flow cats and Catback would be a nice next mod.

Daishi: Thanks for the heads up... Most of the video + sounds for exhaust systems I've seen on youtube sounds pretty loud. Any one in particular you'd suggest? FI = Fast Intention?

Ok... Headers are out of the equation. So, what are the quietest cats or exhausts that will gain the most power?

Yeah, I'd agree...There may be some "Dyno proven" results, but honestly, to my Eye, I don't see it here:

http://images53.fotki.com/v431/photo...SC01029-vi.jpg

Nice to install your self , no matter how long it takes

I might get flamed for this and I didn't want to say anything... but check out the stillen catback. As far as sound is concerned, its somewhere in the middle between quiet and loud. Like a 6 out of 10 on the loud scale. If you add HFC's then it goes to about a 6.5 As a comparison, stock is like a 2 and a straight race pipe is a 10.

There are videos around, but like you said, it can be misleading.

The berks cbe is quiet. But the wait time is months if not longer.

Wow... Those look exactly the same.

Yeah. It was fun... Just wish I didn't wear my favorite jeans and shirt while installing it. lol

Didn't he lose peak power, but gained power ALL over the powerband? I.E. lower claimed HP, but more usable power?

Yup. That's correct. Curve went up in the midrange and down a little in the top.

I would think he lost the power from switching out of the Berk high flow cats.

But, agreed that replacing the stock headers is a waste.

Are the Berk's CBE and HFC legal in CA? Do they come with the certified paper?

HFCs aren't legal.

Yes FI= Fast Intentions...If you're looking for something quiet, then FI would not be an option...They're one of the most aggressive loud exhausts...unless you go with 18" with stock cats...but it will still be louder than stock...The Nismo CBE is pretty tame


The Berks is ok when paired with stock cats, but if you put on some HFC's then you it is louder than the Stillen....In regards to the wait, it will be awhile...I ordered in March, was told April, then May, then June, now heard July...Someone threw out they heard maybe September...They're currently experiencing problems with their supplier

It's not quiet at all when I put my foot down, it is raucous.

From what I've heard, Cali emissions are really stringent, so probably not. You would pass in NY, but (depending on who you go to) they might not pass a visual inspection.

So alot of you guys are saying changing out the stock exhaust manifold is worthless. So are you saying you will see the same gains from just doing test pipes as you would with doing the LTH???

What's LTH for those of us not familiar with the acronyms and abbreviations. Like this guy
<-----

long tube headers:tup:

Ahhh... So any want to chime in about what red6spd asked I would like to know too. As you can tell I'm a total noob to this whole thing.

:iagree: