I just recently got my first Honda Accord 2002 LX V4 Automatic Trans.

Being pretty new to this stuff, I heard that it's a Cold Air Intake Filter that gives an engine that racers "vrooom" sound, or atleast somewhat. So after reading up and understanding what a Cold Air Intake Filter does, I have come across one question... whether it's safe or not.

I am most likely going to get a locally manufactured Intake Filter, most likely not AEM or any other well known brands. So I wanted to ask as to whether it's safe to go ahead with that option or not, I have heard that a bad Air Intake Filter can let in water to the engine... What sort of side effects am I looking at with making this decision... ?!

Can someone with proper knowledge please help me in making the right decision... Thank You !

 

First off, it's an inline 4, not a V4. There is no such thing as a V4.
Now, to answer your question: If don't want to risk hydrolock, you should get a bypass valve to go with your cold air intake. or you could avoid the entire hydrolock issue by getting a short ram intake. A Short ram intake is louder too.

 

Umm.. lol... google V4 and it will tell you exactly what V4 means, as the term DOES exist ... It refers to the number of cylinders in the engine.
Anyways, Thank you for the information... I am most likely going to go for the cheaper option, so most likely going to avoid the hydrolock issue and go ahead with the Short Ram Intake... though how much louder is it ? In comparison to a lamborghinis engines sound... lol.
And perhaps a price range at that if you may ?

 

OK. I stand corrected. Honda doesn't put any V4's in any of their cars. If you had popped your hood before you bought the car you should have realized your engine is an inline 4.
Also, if you had used the search function on this site you would have seen your originalquestion has been asked and answered about a hundred times or so.

 

Lol, aright since we both now stand corrected. Lets get back to the topic lol. Any response to the second part of my question in the second post... sound level and price range ?

 

I've never had a CAI before, but when I put on my SRI, it sounded almost like I had slapped on an exhaust. Plus I have read on here that the SRI's are louder.
If you buy a cheap one off eBay, you need to add a brand name filter to it and not use the one that came with it. I got mine off ebay for about $40, then I bought an AEM dryflow filter form Advance Auto Parts for about $50. So my total price was about $90.

 

Thanks alot... and why would I not want to use the dry filter that comes with it ?
And how does a SRI handle in rain or wet weather... do I have to worry about rain getting into the engine ? or any SERIOUS damage to the engine ?
Thanks again.

 

people use the SRI because the filter sits all the way up so u could run thru big deep puddles all day without having to worry. If ur going for performance, get a FULL cold air intake. highly recommend aem. it takes a lot to get hydrolocked anyway. ur just limited to staying away from deep puddles. u can get ur filter splashed at but if it's submerged then it will suck up all that water. there is an alternative, like lx5speed said, just get a bypass valve if u get the full cai.

but if ur going for sound, just get the short ram intake. i have a fujita cold air intake and it sounds great. my car sounds like a bad *** when i go to 4000 RPM and up.

 

Hydrolock = ruined engine
There is not a whole lot of difference in power gains from either CAI or SRI.
You don't want to se the cheap filter that comes with the cheap intake becasue it is made from lesser quality materials. therefore it may let crap into your engine. It is fine to use the cheap piping that comes with a cheap intake because that is all it is - a pipe. Whether it be brand name or not.

 

Thanks that helped A LOT. So basically I am going for the sound... just don't want it to sound ridiculously loud when I start up the car or drive away at low speeds, and im DEFINITELY staying away from puddles lool, don't plan on going near any anyways, specially to the depth you're talking. So hopefully a short ram intake should do the job, don't know if I can get AEM around here, but all other brands okay ?