BREIF TO THE POINT AEM vs VOLANT SUBJECTIVE ONLY

smoketitan · 05-13-2005, 11:33 PM

this was quick fast ina hurry since its friday night and I really should be doing something productive on friday night--LOL

well maybe not Ive got kids man

anyway take it for what its wort

ask questions that may be a better way to get more info as I didnt know all the details to include so here it goes

PACKAGING

The AEM wins this award hands down. The AEM came bubble wrapped and also it had a ton of packing peanuts inside the box. My Volant box was very minimal—Lol but the material leads to not really needed a protective material as it is pretty hard. The AEM has a VERY nice set of instructions, including pictures with a very detailed description. My Volant didn’t have any instructions at all. The AEM comes with a cleaning kit in box, whereas the Volant requires another 15 dollars to buy one. The AEM comes with a ton of stickers, license plate holder etc., not necessary but a cool add in touch if you ask me so AEM gets two thumbs up for that

APPEARANCE

The Volant is not the most attractive LOL,and the AEM “looks better installed” but the metal is very thin and easy to scratch so be Very careful installing it. Its almost as if you need a rubber screwdriver. The Volant box seems like it took more engineering in my opinion, but the AEM tube is very nice (albeit very thin) and the way that the metal heat shield installs is a pretty good idea. Pain in the but, to install, but very sturdy

INSTALL

The Volant is the much easier to install, since its only a few screw here an there, whereas the AEM requires you to remove the tire and the fender guard. It has been said that you can screw it down from the top, but my hands were too big so I had to remove the tire. The AEM heatshield is metal (which I didn’t like—basic heat transfer folks  )

And the same goes for the rather thin metal pipe. The filter is VERY well made and very sturdy. AEM gets the nod in this area over the Volant. The oil is rather thick, don’t hink it would be too badas far as MAF trouble. I will say that applying the oil the first time. ID recommended getting a spray top to apply the oil as the spill top method takes forever, and causes you to over saturate the filter. So you have to wait forever for it to drain . I mistakenly ended up using almost all the oil supplied LO ( duuuh). so get a spray nozzle ( ie like the one on the Vollant oil kit)

The hoses and MAF all go into place very well, I do think the MAF should have a gasket on it to seal it to the metal on the AEM, but maybe that is being anal. The heatshield is not really sealed where the pipe connects to the filter -----not a good idea IMO.

The filter reaches pretty close to the stock fender opening, so the engineering in that regard was very well done

PERFORMANCE

Well this is the most important part I assume

The Volant seems to pull more at the start, but the AEM pulls harder at he top end, and does it smoother. The Titan ECU, IMO has a hard time dealing with the total amount of air introduction with the volant such that is stalls to register then “pop”/ The AEM is a very linear increase. The low end to me was minimal, but the top end from 55-75 was very apparent

I think the Volant is the more torque monster, but it is also very loud (at least it was in my truck)

The Aem is very quiet, almost to the point that I cant hear it. This is all subjective, no dynos or anything

Just thought folks would find it interesting

Ask away if you want, but this was just short quick install

So in summation

If you want more HP, and a smoother/low noise linear pull the AEM is for you

If you want low end torque,and like a race car growl then the Volant is the one for you

oh and I used the same muffler setup, and also let the ECU sit for maybe three hours on both and ran the AEM for three days to allow a full reset of the ECU

PENROSE · 05-13-2005, 11:57 PM

I know it is all opinion based but, ......wow.....I was really sold on the AEM.

Tried to order one today but everyone I called was out of stock but said "I can get you one..."

Now I don't even know if I want one, although it must be a hot seller if everyone is out of stock.

I know looks aren't everything but when doing my initial research on intakes, I was impressed on how the Volant LOOKED. Looked like good quality, and it seemed like they have their former fitment problems were resolved.......anyway my gut told me to go with Volant.....a few days later (today) I was trying to order an AEM

Now I am back to Volant?? Oh God, pleae help me

It took me long enough to decide on an exhaust (decided to get Flow 50 single in/dual out)NOW THIS!!

You guys are killing me

smoketitan · 05-13-2005, 11:59 PM

sorry man I was only trying to help

like I said each one has its high points its all what you want

37L1 · 05-14-2005, 12:00 AM

You don't even want to know what smoke has done with his audio, that would really drive you over the edge.

We should have warned you.

docopharm · 05-14-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PENROSE

I know looks aren't everything but when doing my initial research on intakes, I was impressed on how the Volant LOOKED. Looked like good quality, and it seemed like they have their former fitment problems were resolved.......anyway my gut told me to go with Volant.....a few days later (today) I was trying to order an AEM

Now I am back to Volant?? Oh God, pleae help me

It took me long enough to decide on an exhaust (decided to get Flow 50 single in/dual out)NOW THIS!!

You guys are killing me

lol, I was tinking the same thing!

Great side-by-side though!

smoketitan · 05-14-2005, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37L1

You don't even want to know what smoke has done with his audio, that would really drive you over the edge.

We should have warned you.

LOL you are soo right

I really need to get a life outside of my titan

sc186 · 05-14-2005, 01:11 AM

FWIW

Heat transfer goes both ways. Sure the metal gets hot fast, but it cools off just as fast. where as the plastic, once hot, will heat the passing air for much longer. The difference is probably minimal between the two.

rdfeatherstone · 05-14-2005, 03:48 AM

I'm just guessing here but I think the heat issue is most likely the same for either unit.

At some point the ambient outside air temperature is going to do battle with the air temperature under the hood. It will achieve a balance. I suspect it will be the same temp at balance with both units.

The Volant will take longer to achieve balance due to the thicker slower heat transfer of the plastic material. The AEM will achieve balance sooner as the metal is thinner and transmits heat better. But in the end, I bet the air hitting the throttle body will be within a degree F.

What do you think?

QShip · 05-14-2005, 07:53 AM

Thanks for the info smoke!

Titano24's · 05-14-2005, 02:22 PM

Smoke........did you happen to notice a slight but really high pitched noise coming from the AEM intake during normal cruising? I have this very very slight yet noticeable noise coming from the intake.

m95roadster · 05-14-2005, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titano24's

Smoke........did you happen to notice a slight but really high pitched noise coming from the AEM intake during normal cruising? I have this very very slight yet noticeable noise coming from the intake.

I have the same whistling sound only during light throttle.

smoketitan · 05-14-2005, 05:21 PM

weird you guys I dont have any whisting at all. and I have been driving without my stereo to hear anything for the last day or so??

weird

all I know is I can barely hear the thing

except under really hard throttle up really high in the rpm range

and hey m95roadster your 05 smoke is friggin awesome!!!!!

where did you get that smoke bumper?? someone just hit my bumper, so since it has to be replaced anyway hmmmmm

and your drop is PERFECT!!!!

very nice man!!!

scsTiTan · 05-14-2005, 08:41 PM

Smoke, thanks for the write-up, can't say that it is making my decision any easier, but I deo appreciate the work.Not sure if I missed it, but are you sticking with the AEM or ?

I also wanted to give a shout out to m95roadster - I agree your truck looks awesome! That rear is smooth! Nice job

*Squid* · 05-14-2005, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scsTiTan

Smoke, thanks for the write-up, can't say that it is making my decision any easier, but I deo appreciate the work.Not sure if I missed it, but are you sticking with the AEM or ?

I also wanted to give a shout out to m95roadster - I agree your truck looks awesome! That rear is smooth! Nice job

No, he's selling the AEM. Follow this link.
AEM intake for sale

smoketitan · 05-14-2005, 10:08 PM

cant sell the AEM anymore --LOL

took pretty mont pictures, went to go put it in the box and it slipped out of my hand not even six inches

and it got scrathched pretty bad, and the inlet bent slightly

another point of reference if you have the AEM be VERY carefull as the tube is VERy soft and malleable, and the finsih scrathches VERy easy so wathc those screwdrivers when connecting the pipe rings--lol

put it back in the truck and said oh well

good luck titaner's for the never ending intake search