Iceman Cold Air Intake (CAI)

When I was searching for a performance mod, I didn't really want an exhaust first - to much attention and noise. I was looking into the CAI systems the US guys were raving about. "AEM or Iceman?". "15bhp!" were the cries to be heard. I only knew of one guy in the UK who had the AEM - Ross - he had imported his. I really didn't want the hassle of importing. I then heard about RRR Motorsport (01522 531735) in Lincoln. Not only were they an official Honda dealer but they prep, tune, and rally Integra Type Rs. These guy know what's what and they could supply an Iceman intake system.

For a market where £60 K&N filters dominate (although this is rapidly changing) £185 seemed a lot, but less than the AEM. For this I would get a massive K&N cone filter and some massive plastic tubing which positioned the filter inbetween the front bumper and wheel arch liner. Having heard the horror stories of hydrolock I was wary but was assured that 'there's too much in the way for water to get in'. This was another bonus over the AEM I ordered just before the AEM filters (which were one piece for my Civic's application) had the bypass valve option - the Iceman airfilter ducting came in 2 pieces so it could be shortened, placing the filter in the engine bay during flooding. The benefit of having the airfilter out of the engine bay and in the bumper was that it prevented heatsoke in traffic and could take cold air from the optimum height. The piping also narrows, ramming the air creating cold dense air to combust. The front bumper had to come off and seeing as I'd had the car all of 5 minutes I didn't want to go messing so let RRR do the job. The job was done in an hour with full official Honda dealership reciepts for the job.
I had the joy of the open Fen roads from Lincoln to Herts to test the kit out on the way home. Even on just pulling out from the car park the whistle and roar kick in. At a semi open throttle the airfilter whistles, transforming into a roar from 3500rpm and then settling down when cruising.

I had the kit fitted in Febuary so it was still quite wet. Initially i was paranoid of hydrolock but when you consider that the filter is well protected all round and a good foot off the ground there isn't going to be any probs other than flooding. The Icemans sound is worth the money alone, beefing it up no end. The performance, i felt was noticable but whether its a placebo type effect I can't be sure. The figures are on paper though. The tests have been done - vtec.net reported up to 7bhp gain at the wheels over stock tubing with a K&N, with a 6bhp and 10lb/ft gain at 3500rpm. The peak figures were 1-2 bhp greater but considering I went from completely stock the gains are even greater.

RRR Motorsport (01522 531735)
http://www.ice-man.com

I've now swapped to the short intake seeing as it was a nice day I took the bumper off - just 4 screws and 2 bolts. Simple. It's so I can give it a clean when I get the time. You need to clean the filter more regularly when they're in long tract form.

Hydrolock - where the car takes in water through the airfilter and cannot combust it as it can oxygen thus seizing the engine

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