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AEM Cold Air Intake for Acura RSX

The install of the AEM CAI is a semi difficult install, and should be performed by an experienced mechanic

Tools needed :

• Wire Strippers
• Pliers
• 10 mm socket
• 12 mm ratchet
• Standard screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver

The AEM unit is accompanied with all the hardware necessary for the install. We are installing a AEM cold air intake into a Acura RSX :



First lay out all of the materials in your AEM box. Go over the packing list and make sure you have all the parts necessary.



Remove the stock air inlet system Loosen the 2 10mm bolts on the injector cover and remove the injector cover.







Loosen the 2 hose clamps on the stock intake tube to the throttle body and filter box. Unplug your air temp sensor and remove the intake snorkel







Undo the PCV vent from your valve cover to the intake snorkel



Undo the 4 10mm bolts and the 10mm nut securing the air filter box.











Remove the factory air box



Remove the negative terminal on your battery.



Undo the 10mm bolt that holds your wiper fluid container



Remove the wiper fluid container by undoing the lower driver side panel. AEM recommends you remove the front bumper. We did our install without undo the front bumper, although its difficult. There are 4 10mm bolts that hold the container to the chassis of the car. Undo the 4 10mm bolts and remove the container from underneath the car. Unplug the wiring harness and the 2 fluid lines. You must drill a 1.25 inch hold in the left side of the washer bottle. Drill slowly and fit the rubber grommet around the hole, and use the 90 degree bend supplied by AEM.



Next plug up the stock hole with the plug in your AEM cold air intake box. Now use the connectors supplied in your AEM cold air intake and extend your fluid lines.



Next cut the wires on your bottle harness, leaving enough slack on the connector side.



Next use the wiring harness supplied with your AEM cold air intake. Strip back the wires and peel them back.



Strip open your wiring loom. In the stock configuration there are 4 wires used to supply power and ground to the washer motors. Be sure to match the correct wires to the correct color on the AEM cold air intake loom. The wires supplied by AEM have are green (not used), white, red and black wire. The wires leading back to the stock harness are the only wires that need to be extended. The black wires inbetween the 2 motors does not need to be cut or extended. The white AEM cold air intake wire matches the white/blue wire on the RSX. The red AEM cold air intake wire matches the white/red wire. The black wire matches the black wire.



Extend the wires and fluid hoses across your front bumper, securing them with the supplied wiring loom and zip ties. AEM provides buttends and electrical crimps. We prefer to solder the connections.



Next, remove the battery and bend the battery tray up to a 90 degree angle as shown.



Now undo the 90 degree rubber coupling supplied in your AEM cold air intake kit and plug your Air temp sensor into it



Put the rubber coupling on your throttle body, but do not tighten any clamps. Leave them loose so its easy to position things later



Remove and replace the PCV and air tube from your stock intake system and use the hoses (3/4" and 3/8" ) supplied to you in your AEM cold air intake kit



Plug those hoses into your AEM cold air intake, secure them with the clamps provided and route the piping from under the front driver side. This will take careful manuevering as the fit is really tight. There is a AEM supplied rubber grommet and bolt that connect the piping to the frame. Make sure to use this piece, because you will void your warranty if you do not. Next put your AEM filter on and use the supplied clamp to secure it to the pipe. This install is performed on an automatic RSX. If you own a manual, you will need to make sure the pipe clears your factory shift arm. Have someone sit in the car and go through all the gears to ensure proper clearance.



You may or may not need to trim your lower splash guard and the left front fender well to make room for the intake and piping.



Next, take your washer bottle and bolt it using the 3 bolts given to you from AEM on the passenger side of the lower front bumper area. This will be rather difficult if you have not removed the front bumper, but it can be done. Connect the 90 degree plug to your upper washer bottle neck and secure it with the 10mm plastic clip you removed earlier. Connect the wiring loom you extended, as well as the fluid lines.



Bolt everything back together, secure all clamps on TB, piping, and filter. Take the car on a test drive to ensure that nothing is loose. You have now installed your AEM Cold air intake! congratulations.