Hi all,
I just got the AEM 21-724C cold air intake system for my 2013 VT. This thread is directly "ported" from Veloster.org for my fine friends with VTs. First, a couple of things about my car: I have about 7500 miles on it, have already had my first oil change, and have an A/T. I have long heard of AEM and their reliability when it comes to intakes. I decided to check out AEM because I've got a bunch of buddies that have either an AEM SRI or a CAI installed on their cars - both turbo and non. I have a few of my old car-club buddies that had ran different brands and ran into issues (either with install or post-install) that kind of turned me off any "competition."
Please note: I'm not an idiot and I do know that you know how to copy/paste. When you copy these directions to another site, I'd really appreciate it if you could give me credit. I worked hard on this! Contact me on Facebook.
Without any further ado, let's get this thread rolling.
First, I am going to assume you have at least somewhat of a decent understanding of cars and their workings. You don't have to be a mechanic to install this, but if you do not feel comfortable working in your engine bay and under your car then you should have someone else install it. I'm going to try and make this as detailed as possible while also keeping it very simple to read. When noted, difficulty of the selected picture will be ranked on a 1-5 scale, with 1 being incredibly easy and 5 being frustratingly difficult. The images included here are color copies of the ones that are included in the guide you'll get with this awesome kit.
WARNING: I'm not liable for any actions you take by either following or not following this guide. The steps outlined here worked well for me, but everyone is different. If it doesn't feel right, get help or don't do it. If you want to save your stock system, don't throw any of the old parts away.
NOTICE: The steps to remove the stock air intake will be virtually the same for ANY brand of CAI. Section 4 is specific to my AEM CAI.
Table of Contents:
What you'll need - Section 1
Initial Preparations - Section 2
Stock Intake Removal - Section 3
AEM Intake Installation - Section 4
Video - Section 5
My Opinion - Section 6
Links - Section 7
1. What you'll need:
- Jack (I strongly suggest you get a 2-ton multipurpose jack. I do not trust the scissor jacks that come with cars and I do not recommend that you use one for this project. You can get a multipurpose jack for pretty cheap at AutoZone, and this kit has everything you'll need: 1Duralast/5 pcs. jack/creeper kit (80-6253T) | Jack | AutoZone.com)
- Jack stands
- 1/2"drive socket set with extensions (I'd recommend getting at least a 5" extension.)
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Flathead screwdriver
- Pliers
- Beer (not required)
2. Initial Preparations:
If you have driven your car in the past two hours, you should let it cool down before continuing. You can speed up that process by letting your car sit in the shade with the hood open. If your car is cool enough to work on (let's be honest, what VT isn't cool enough?), feel free to continue.
- Set the parking brake.
- Jack the front, driver-side of your car up.
- Insert a jack stand. Note that the height of the car when on the jack stand should allow you to put your full body underneath that side comfortably.
- Pop the hood if you have not done so already.
- Remove the negative battery terminal.
3. Stock Intake Removal:
Believe it or not, this is where the bulk of your time (and frustration) will be spent. I kid you not. Beer comes in handy in this section!
1: [Photo] Remove the engine cover. Lift from the bottom carefully and pull up. You'll be able to pull the backside up after that.
4. AEM Intake Installation:
With the hard work finally behind us, let's have some fun installing this. It's really neat to see all of this come together! Here's a part list and description of each part. Remember: this is included with your purchase... I'm putting these online because I prefer color photos to the b&w ones.
Part list
Corresponding diagram
1: [Photo] Install the two rubber mounts (part I) in the stock airbox location.
If you've got any beer left, sit back and celebrate! You just installed your AEM CAI! Here it is installed on my car:
![]()
5. Video:
When I make the video demonstrating how loud this thing is, I'll update it here.
6. My Opinions:
Woah. Not only does it look badass, it sounds badass. Seriously You can hear this beast sucking in all of the oxygen that it was deprived of with the stock system. When I hit the gas, the turbo lag is virtually GONE. Fellow VT owners know all too well about the turbo lag in this thing, but the CAI noticeably diminishes, almost eliminates, the lag! The power increase is noticeable on the takeoff as well. You hit the gas, you're gone. According to the dyno sheet, it gives an extra 9 ft. lbs. of torque and a 16 hp. gain. The CAI is audible to everyone around it. When you hit the gas, you can hear it sucking in air. When you let off the gas/shift gears, you can hear the thing expel the excess air back into re-circulation with a prominent "pshhh." It almost sounds like a BOV without the whistling! When you see the aggressive piping, you can't help but think "Wow" to yourself. The thing shines like a beast, too. Cleaning the tube is a breeze: just use Windex and it polishes it up like new!
The lack of video is my fault, but I'll have it up soon. Me telling you about this does NOT do it the justice it deserves; you need to hear the difference. I will be providing incremental updates to this thread as well so you'll know my experiences during real-world testing.
500 Mile Update:
Provided at or around 500 miles after installation.
1000 Mile Update:
Provided at or around 1000 miles after installation.
Next Service Update:
Provided at or around my second service on the car.
7. Links:
- 21-724C - AEM , AEM Cold Air Intake System direct from AEM
- http://www.aemintakes.com/dynocharts/AEM-21-724_dyno.pdf
- https://www.facebook.com/veale.andrew
- https://www.facebook.com/aemintakes
- http://www.aemintakes.com/
I hope you all enjoyed this guide and my take on this CAI. Remember - if you use my guide, please give me credit
.
I just got the AEM 21-724C cold air intake system for my 2013 VT. This thread is directly "ported" from Veloster.org for my fine friends with VTs. First, a couple of things about my car: I have about 7500 miles on it, have already had my first oil change, and have an A/T. I have long heard of AEM and their reliability when it comes to intakes. I decided to check out AEM because I've got a bunch of buddies that have either an AEM SRI or a CAI installed on their cars - both turbo and non. I have a few of my old car-club buddies that had ran different brands and ran into issues (either with install or post-install) that kind of turned me off any "competition."
Please note: I'm not an idiot and I do know that you know how to copy/paste. When you copy these directions to another site, I'd really appreciate it if you could give me credit. I worked hard on this! Contact me on Facebook.
Without any further ado, let's get this thread rolling.
First, I am going to assume you have at least somewhat of a decent understanding of cars and their workings. You don't have to be a mechanic to install this, but if you do not feel comfortable working in your engine bay and under your car then you should have someone else install it. I'm going to try and make this as detailed as possible while also keeping it very simple to read. When noted, difficulty of the selected picture will be ranked on a 1-5 scale, with 1 being incredibly easy and 5 being frustratingly difficult. The images included here are color copies of the ones that are included in the guide you'll get with this awesome kit.
WARNING: I'm not liable for any actions you take by either following or not following this guide. The steps outlined here worked well for me, but everyone is different. If it doesn't feel right, get help or don't do it. If you want to save your stock system, don't throw any of the old parts away.
NOTICE: The steps to remove the stock air intake will be virtually the same for ANY brand of CAI. Section 4 is specific to my AEM CAI.
Table of Contents:
What you'll need - Section 1
Initial Preparations - Section 2
Stock Intake Removal - Section 3
AEM Intake Installation - Section 4
Video - Section 5
My Opinion - Section 6
Links - Section 7
1. What you'll need:
- Jack (I strongly suggest you get a 2-ton multipurpose jack. I do not trust the scissor jacks that come with cars and I do not recommend that you use one for this project. You can get a multipurpose jack for pretty cheap at AutoZone, and this kit has everything you'll need: 1Duralast/5 pcs. jack/creeper kit (80-6253T) | Jack | AutoZone.com)
- Jack stands
- 1/2"drive socket set with extensions (I'd recommend getting at least a 5" extension.)
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Flathead screwdriver
- Pliers
- Beer (not required)
2. Initial Preparations:
If you have driven your car in the past two hours, you should let it cool down before continuing. You can speed up that process by letting your car sit in the shade with the hood open. If your car is cool enough to work on (let's be honest, what VT isn't cool enough?), feel free to continue.
- Set the parking brake.
- Jack the front, driver-side of your car up.
- Insert a jack stand. Note that the height of the car when on the jack stand should allow you to put your full body underneath that side comfortably.
- Pop the hood if you have not done so already.
- Remove the negative battery terminal.
3. Stock Intake Removal:
Believe it or not, this is where the bulk of your time (and frustration) will be spent. I kid you not. Beer comes in handy in this section!
1: [Photo] Remove the engine cover. Lift from the bottom carefully and pull up. You'll be able to pull the backside up after that.
Difficulty Level: 1
2: [Photo] Loosen the spring hose-clamps for the crank case breather hose and the recirculating valve hose. You may need pliers to do this. Don't completely remove these, as you'll need them later. Just move them further down the hose.
Difficulty Level: 1
3: [Photo] Loosen the stock hose clamp on the turbo inlet using a 10mm socket. Feel free to remove it if you'd like, but save it in case you want to put your stock hose on in the future.
Difficulty Level: 1
4: [Photo] Loosen the clips on the snorkel (shown in picture - has the word "Turbo" on it). You must push a screwdriver in the middle of the clip to "unlock" it. Very easy. Pull up once loosened to remove the intake snorkel.Difficulty Level: 1
5: [Photo] Remove the three M6 bolts using a 10mm socket. Note: If you don't have an extension, you will more than likely not be able to do this! Added difficulty due to lack of space.
Difficulty Level: 3
6: [Photo] Grab the airbox and slide it left (towards the engine) to detach it from the lower chamber. Remove the airbox assembly.Difficulty Level: 2
7: [Photo] Using a Phillips head screwdriver, remove the 3 pictured plastic clips from the driver-side wheel well.
Difficulty Level: 1
8: [Photo] Using a Phillips head screwdriver, remove the 2 pictured plastic clips from under the car, near the wheel to lower the wheel well lining.
Difficulty Level: 1
9: [Photo] Remove the four M6 bolts that secure the lower plastic belly pan. Note: The two bolts at the top of the image are on the driver-side, while the left two are on the front side.
Difficulty Level: 1
10: [Photo] From the driver-side wheel well, remove one M6 bolt used to secure the intake resonator chamber.
Difficulty Level: 2
11: [Photo] From the underneath the car, remove two remaining M6 bolts. WARNING: VERY tight clearance here. You can probably only get a fifth of a rotation in each time. THIS IS A FRUSTRATING STEP. Beer will probably be used here, as will swearing.Difficulty Level: 5
12: [Photo] Lower the intake resonator and disconnect the foglight wiring mounting clip. You can pull this out or use a screwdriver to "pick" it out. Your call.
Difficulty Level: 2
If you've made it this far, congratulations. I promise you the hard part is over! The good folks at AEM have made this as simple as possible.
4. AEM Intake Installation:
With the hard work finally behind us, let's have some fun installing this. It's really neat to see all of this come together! Here's a part list and description of each part. Remember: this is included with your purchase... I'm putting these online because I prefer color photos to the b&w ones.
Part list
Corresponding diagram
1: [Photo] Install the two rubber mounts (part I) in the stock airbox location.
Difficulty Level: 1
2: [Photo] Loosen the clamps (part C) on the coupler (part B), then slide it over the turbo inlet. Inset the main tube (part A) into the coupler. Tighten both clamps with a screwdriver. Don't overtighten.
Difficulty Level: 2
3: [Photo] Slide a new coupler (part B) over the non-stamped part of the lower pipe (part D), then put it on the end of the main tube (part A). Place the coupler in the middle of both pipes and tighten with a screwdriver.Difficulty Level: 2
4: [Photo] Install the filter (part F) from the driver-side wheel well. Tighten the clamp (part F) with a screwdriver.
Difficulty Level: 1
5: [Photo] Use the hex nuts (part H) and washers (part G) and fasten the upper and lower tubes to the mounts you installed in step one of this section.Difficulty Level: 1
6: [Photo] Reconnect the hoses that we disconnected in section 3.2 and tighten all connections.
Difficulty Level: 1
If you've got any beer left, sit back and celebrate! You just installed your AEM CAI! Here it is installed on my car:
5. Video:
When I make the video demonstrating how loud this thing is, I'll update it here.
6. My Opinions:
Woah. Not only does it look badass, it sounds badass. Seriously You can hear this beast sucking in all of the oxygen that it was deprived of with the stock system. When I hit the gas, the turbo lag is virtually GONE. Fellow VT owners know all too well about the turbo lag in this thing, but the CAI noticeably diminishes, almost eliminates, the lag! The power increase is noticeable on the takeoff as well. You hit the gas, you're gone. According to the dyno sheet, it gives an extra 9 ft. lbs. of torque and a 16 hp. gain. The CAI is audible to everyone around it. When you hit the gas, you can hear it sucking in air. When you let off the gas/shift gears, you can hear the thing expel the excess air back into re-circulation with a prominent "pshhh." It almost sounds like a BOV without the whistling! When you see the aggressive piping, you can't help but think "Wow" to yourself. The thing shines like a beast, too. Cleaning the tube is a breeze: just use Windex and it polishes it up like new!
The lack of video is my fault, but I'll have it up soon. Me telling you about this does NOT do it the justice it deserves; you need to hear the difference. I will be providing incremental updates to this thread as well so you'll know my experiences during real-world testing.
500 Mile Update:
Provided at or around 500 miles after installation.
1000 Mile Update:
Provided at or around 1000 miles after installation.
Next Service Update:
Provided at or around my second service on the car.
7. Links:
- 21-724C - AEM , AEM Cold Air Intake System direct from AEM
- http://www.aemintakes.com/dynocharts/AEM-21-724_dyno.pdf
- https://www.facebook.com/veale.andrew
- https://www.facebook.com/aemintakes
- http://www.aemintakes.com/
I hope you all enjoyed this guide and my take on this CAI. Remember - if you use my guide, please give me credit
.
