Engine CAI's and cost range, it's just a metal pipe right?

CAI's and cost range, it's just a metal pipe right?

I would like to get a CAI. I can spend $160 or $40.
Does it really matter how much I pay as far as getting a CAI that works and does what it's supposed to?
It's really just a pipe bent into a configuration to fit the car and intake attachments or am I missing something here?
Comments, advice please...

um... a 160 intake should have... carb certified... brand name... nicer lookin... better material and better welds... might even perform better...

40 dollar intake is prob... one without a carb cert.... no name brand... might have bad welds... and bad placement in the engine compartment... i have a friend that have a weapon r 50 dollar intake... and that stuff rubs on his master cylinder..

if money is not a issue... i rather go with the brand name stuff... it usually pays off in the long run...

thats just my opinion... im pretty sure many other ppl on the board have something to say...

you get what you pay for, unless you go custom

just look for a user name brand one, best of both worlds, its just a metal pipe liek you said, so as long as its not rusted or cracked, a used one will perform identical to a new one, but for a nice rebate in price (just clean or replace the filter, whichever the case may be)...

welds...

Better welds? Meaning they are tight and woun't suck in air?

used namebrand, fair...

Cool, thanks everyone for the info...
I might save up and go for a name brand.
But still check the less expensive and used ones.

Statik

E.L. Prototypes makes a CAI don't they?

ull know wuts a good weld and a bad weld when u see one...

I have tried a number of them. I even made one from the original box and some 3" plastic pipe. The homemade one worked as good as any of the rest, but was slightly quieter. You are right, it's just a pipe. Pick the cheapest, but get a quality filter.

wait what year do you have statik?

If you know how to make your on intake then go ahead but if you have no experence than you might want to think twice another engine isnt worth a couple of hp.

E.l. Protoypes makes an intake but I'd advise like most other people who develop stuff for our cars the customer service sucks. took them.....almost 2 months to send me a item they had in stock?(still I love the intake though and the wait was worth it)

I'd say hit up E.l. pro http://www.elprototypes.com they make good stuff and I dont know anyone else that makes a CAI for the 98-02 (thats decent)

cai

I've got an 02 S-type

WOW you have an S-Type!!! I thought only Jaguar made an S-type!!! That must be one super-rare COROLLA!! I got a Corolla S, but in my life i have never heard of a S-type corolla!! You must have a Jaguar Engine swapped in there!! HOW DIDYA DO IT?!?!?!

lol... whoa... chill for a sec...

i have a S-type also... actually it says Type S...

how did i do it? by addin badges to it... lol... its a...

"1.8T Corolla Type S"

lol...

i thought mine was special... i guess not anymore...