New s2k owner could use suggestions

[john]

Hello Everyone

My name is John and just bought a 2004 s2k in the latter part of Nov. so I haven't got a chance to drive it much due to the weather here in Ohio, this is strickly a summer weekend car for me and I can't wait for spring. If anyone out there can help me on some mod questions I have I would greatly appreciate it. By the way she's black, beautiful and oh so fun!

[gomarlins3]

Ask and you shall receive answers.

[john]

I'd really like to know what you think or have head about the aem v2 cai? I've heard it gives some modest gains and adds a very nice sound to the car but is a pain to clean the filter because it installs between the inner and outer passenger side fender on 2004 models.
Any thoughts on different rear gears?

[gomarlins3]

Sorry for the length, but you asked.

I had the AEM V1 for years. If your car is a daily driver, some people have stayed away from this style of CAI due to the possibility of getting water into your intake. That's not good. Some people have developed covers for their filter to keep water out. There is also a bypass that can be purchased that will keep water from come into the intake.

It will give you a real nice sound and I really liked mine. As for HP gains, you may get a couple, but you won't really be able to tell. If you want the most HP for the money with an intake, many people swear by the Comptech one and there are a couple more that have shown to give some HP, but again, you won't get much.

As for gears. I have the 4.77's and you WILL feel a difference with those. The 4.56's are really nice as well. I would venture to guess that more sets of 4.56's are sold than the 4.77's due to the fact that you will be driving around at a higher RPM with the 4.77's. If you would like to see what it is like to have 4.77's and be at cruising speed, drive in 5th gear down the highway. That is about the RPM's you cruise at. I have not noticed a decrease in MPG, but then mine is just for fun so I don't really care about MPG when I am in the S. I have taken it on four long drives (over 500 miles) and have gotten the same MPG I had gotten on the same drives the year before. The up side is that you have a much quicker car throughthe gears, the down side is that you have to shift at a lower speed due to the fact that you go through the RPM range quicker.

This will give you an idea of what miles per hour you will be going at the top of the RPM's. You can change the year of your S and the final gear ratio.
Turn Zero Technical Resources :: Gear Calculator

[john]

Thanks for all the info and I wil check out the web site on gears. Do you know of anyone who has the aem v2 intake on a 2004 or newer and how its mounted and if its a hassle or not to change or clean the filter?

[gomarlins3]

If they mount the same way as the AP1's then it's really not that hard to clean the filter. I believe it is two screws and two push tabs and the plastic piece under tha car can be opened enough to take the filter out.

[john]

Thanks for all the help, think spring, think spring.