Potential Downsides:
* Increased chance of hydrolock: CAIs often draw air from lower in the engine bay, increasing the risk of water ingestion during heavy rain or driving through deep puddles. This can lead to a hydrolocked engine, a serious and expensive repair. The factory air intake is designed to minimize this risk.
* Check engine light: Some CAIs don't adequately filter the air, allowing debris to enter the engine. This can trigger a check engine light. A quality CAI with a good filter should mitigate this, but it's a possibility.
* MAF sensor issues: The mass airflow sensor (MAF) measures the amount of air entering the engine. A poorly designed or installed CAI can disrupt airflow and cause inaccurate readings leading to poor engine performance or a check engine light.
* Minimal or no performance gain: On a naturally aspirated engine like the one in a 97 Civic EX, the gains from a CAI are often minimal and may not be noticeable. You might get a slightly improved throttle response, but not a significant horsepower increase. The improvements are often more noticeable in higher-performance or modified engines.
* Warranty issues (if applicable): If your car is still under warranty, installing a CAI could void it, depending on the terms and conditions.
Potential Up-sides (Often Overstated):
* Slightly improved throttle response: This is the most likely noticeable benefit.
* Slightly better sound: The intake sound might be slightly more aggressive.
In short: A CAI is unlikely to cause direct damage, but the benefits are often marginal and outweighed by the potential risks for a stock 97 Civic EX. Unless you're planning other modifications, the cost and potential problems aren't usually worth the small possible gains. Focus on regular maintenance for better and more reliable performance.
