[williamsmichael]

I just want to hear it rip VTEC!!!! Vroom

You definitely hear the VTEC, yo. That's the main reason I love it.

and there is literally a 21 page forum thread on the ridgeline forum asking about problems with idle after installing the intake.....people refuting the 13hp claimed gains from AEM, people saying the stock intake is essentially a CAI which it is and some saying their 0-60 times increased and fuel economy decreased after installing it.

wondering if anyone had done real world testing shouldn't be something you get so twisted over.

Fair enough. I never had any issues with idle or diminished mpg on the Ridgeline. I did reset the ECU by unplugging the battery for a few minutes. I actually found mpg to increase slightly on the highway and decrease slightly in town and it seems similar on the Passport. It does FEEL more powerful to me, especially for passing on the highway in the VTEC range. That's where it really sings. Frankly, most people get intakes for the sensation and sounds and that's why I did. It's a perk to not worry about air filters ever again and I do feel it makes the car faster. But, really it's about giving it a nice growl which is sensible for normal driving but pretty manic when you mash the vtec.

Overall, the AEM is easy to install. My only hang up was the bolts on the stock intake, which required a strange half sized socket. Had to go get a socket from the hardware store. I also suggest lubricating the breather lines with a bit of water to help get it set. The clearance is quite tight with only 1cm on either side of the filter between the battery and inner fender. I suggest getting everything tight except the throttle body connection and twisting it until the clearances are even. On my ridge it banged the fender sometimes but on the Passport I had learned to align it better. Yes, the OEM airbox does use a snorkel scoop that feeds into the grill like a 'true cold air'. That scoop works with the AEM, too. It does truly work and is a source of bugs, dust, and water too. Ergo, definitely get the hydrophobic sleeve as the rubber gasket on the scoop presses directly onto the AEM cone.

 

[aarondixon]

Hey Swen, how does adding one of these affect the Honda warranty?

 

[williamsmichael]

Hey Swen, how does adding one of these affect the Honda warranty?

It doesn't affect it at all. It's a very minor part. There are laws protecting us from getting shafted by a dealership due to minor mods. They have to prove without a shadow of a doubt that a mod caused a malfunction. Putting a turbo on would be another story but an intake is the most minor and common performance mod. In my experience of owning many modded cars intake and exhaust are seen as tertiary components that couldn't possibly cause any issues unless the sensors are damaged during the install. This law and such are referenced on the AEM page I linked earlier: https://www.aemintakes.com/search/product.aspx?prod=21-795C

FWIW I took my Ridgeline to my local Honda dealer twice with it installed and they said nothing. If one was worried they could always swap the OEM back on for dealer visits.

 

[david16]

I can confirm the AEM cold air intake made for Ridgelines/Pilots fits Passports perfectly. I had one on the ridgeline I traded for my Passport and swapped it over easily. Definitely feel it in the butt dyno, vtec sounds awesome, and the intake sounds even cooler on the passport due to the sportier oem exhaust. Gives it a nice growl at low rpms.

Thank you for posting this. I may end up returning the HPS and getting an AEM due to what seems to be a simpler install -- you don't have to remove coolant pipes. Admittedly I have not really looked under the door to really assess what I'm up against. Hopefully later today/evening.

And to be perfectly clear from my view due to this conversation getting a bid sideways: I do not purchase intakes or exhausts for performance gains. I purchase these parts for the sound enhancements. Besides, it's my money that I have earned, so I'll spend it on whatever I want to.

 

[david16]

how does adding one of these affect the Honda warranty?

https://www.autoanything.com/popups/MossWarranty.aspx

"When accessorizing your vehicle with aftermarket parts, your warranty claim cannot be automatically denied, nor can your warranty be voided, if you install non-OEM parts in your vehicle. The burden is on the dealer to prove the aftermarket parts caused the failure. For example, if your windshield wiper motors fail, your vehicle’s warranty claim can’t be denied because you installed aftermarket windshield wipers that are different from OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. Similarly, if a wheel bearing fails or a fan belt snaps and you have an aftermarket exhaust installed, the dealership would have to prove the exhaust system caused the bearing failure or the belt to snap in order to deny a warranty claim. In these types of scenarios, the dealership should have no reason to deny your claims."

 

[david16]

Ah, the hell with it. Gonna return the HPS and get an AEM based upon swenpaylay's fitment test.

Sorry for those who wanted me to be the test rig for the HPS but knowing I have to remove OEM plumbing (coolant hard line) sent me running for the hills.
.

 

[williamsmichael]

Ah, the hell with it. Gonna return the HPS and get an AEM based upon swenpaylay's fitment test.

Sorry for those who wanted me to be the test rig for the HPS but knowing I have to remove OEM plumbing (coolant hard line) sent me running for the hills.
.

Safe bet and you’ll be happy with it! Looks like there’s a deal on AEM’s website. Find a tunnel to drive through and engage sport mode as soon as you put it on! ?

 

[codyreyes]

Can you post some picture or maybe a YouTube clip of how it sounds?? please ?

 

[david16]

Honda Pilot video... to get an idea.

 

[williamsmichael]

Honda Pilot video... to get an idea.

That video captures it well aside from the low rpm growl, which I believe is unique to the Passport because of its sportier dual tip exhaust. Ridgeline/Pilot have a more ordinary single muffler, which is totally hidden.

So it sounds even cooler. I’ll make a video this weekend if I have time. No promises though.

 

[david16]

My AEM intake arrived today. Wow, the filter is bigger than what comes with the HPS intake. Hoping for an install this weekend.
.

 

[david16]

Installed the AEM today.

See my build thread:
https://bc1-noiap-ae.staging.lb.ope...ern-steel-black-leather.591/page-4#post-17555

.

 

[david16]

Can you post some picture or maybe a YouTube clip of how it sounds?? please ?

See my build thread....

https://bc1-noiap-ae.staging.lb.ope...ern-steel-black-leather.591/page-4#post-17649

 

[matthew51]

This is the most hilarious thread ever. People arguing over putting an intake/effects in a grocery getter. I have one on my M4 made directly by BMW, but on a Passport?!? Come on now, lol.

 

[wilsonlaura]

Maybe so. But it sounded like a pretty bad-azz-grocery-getter in that video, But punching it like that alot, may be more often a "gas-go-getter". LOL ?

I may do same to mine after the honeymoon period, sounds fun.

 

[williamsmichael]

This is the most hilarious thread ever. People arguing over putting an intake/effects in a grocery getter. I have one on my M4 made directly by BMW, but on a Passport?!? Come on now, lol.

My last car was a 400hp tuned subaru. It had an intake made by subaru among other things. I raced cars on and off tracks. I put an aem intake on the passport that replaced the subaru. I like vtec. The passport hauls ass through the mountains more comfortably and efficiently than the little subie ever did. It’s quick- quicker and more efficient than most in its class, with class leading awd. You sir, dont need to be swinging your toys around pooping on us having fun with our ‘grocery getters.’

 

[williamsmichael]

Maybe so. But it sounded like a pretty bad-azz-grocery-getter in that video, But punching it like that alot, may be more often a "gas-go-getter". LOL ?

I may do same to mine after the honeymoon period, sounds fun.

I’d like to see someone drift a passport. On the ridgeline forum they figured out how to fully disable traction control.

 

[wilsonlaura]

Cool. And I'm still a member of the ROC forum from my '12 Ridgy-RTS days. Kinda miss that Gen 1 truck. But this Passport has alot of that same fun factor, to me.

 

[mccoyallen]

I’d like to see someone drift a passport. On the ridgeline forum they figured out how to fully disable traction control.

a quick slide I did a while ago while experimenting with PP traction off settings. Once you get it off, it's quite happy to rotate and the rear diff makes it really easy to modulate.

 

[umcintosh]

If you are not going to tune your vehicle after installing an intake IMO don't bother buying one unless its for the sound. I have experience tuning with Hondata. Without tuning, usually there is a small loss somewhere in the powerband and a small increase somewhere else. With tuning you can usually see increases across the entire band, especially the mid range when lowering vtec engagement.