The tuner scene of the early ’90s is highly responsible for the meteoric rise of car modifications in the U.S. Gearheads, especially those who own one the sixth-generation Honda Civic, realized the potential of modifying their cars, making them transform their EK Civics into a more satisfying vehicle.
Who can blame them? The Honda Civic EK, the sixth-gen Civics, is a great platform, and nobody can argue about that. Up to this day, even if the car tuner scene was long gone, people still love the idea of introducing aftermarket modifications to their beloved Honda Civic.
One such modification that works excellently with Honda Civic EK are intake systems. Air intake systems are among the most popular mod car enthusiasts pick whenever they want to start on their EKs.
These mods are practical, especially if you need some extra boost in horsepower. Not only that, aftermarket intake systems can steadily improve a car’s acceleration, mileage, and they can even make a sweet sound under the hood that’s very noticeable under high speed.
Scroll down below so you can see our top picks of aftermarket intake systems for the sixth-generation Honda Civic, or better known on the streets as the Honda Civic EK.
These intakes are not just your average run-of-the-mill induction systems you’ll see on the internet; they’re highly acclaimed amongst the Honda community. We’re pretty sure that these upgrades are bang-for-the-buck investments you can do for your beloved classic 90’s sporty car.
#1 K&N Performance Air Intake System
- Manufacturer: K&N Engineering
- Unique Feature: HDPE rotomolded tube
- Horsepower Gain: 5.77hp
- Compatibility: Honda Civic EK Si (1999-2000)
Let’s start off with one of the prominent names in the aftermarket intake scene: K&N. They’re highly respected as a brand, and their knack for reliability reflects the Performance Air Intake System they’ve made for the Honda Civic EK Si.
You can search the forum, ask previous users, and check product reviews for this intake system and you’ll see how impressive this intake is. The K&N Performance Air Intake System is clearly an excellent starter intake kit for those who want to introduce more airflow into their engines.
This intake got some pretty rad features, including an HDPE (high-density polyethylene) tube that increases the volumetric airflow that gets into your engine. It also comes with an oversized conical High-Flow Air Filter that efficiently cleans out the air and a heat shield that keeps the air free from the engine heat.
Not to mention the number of horsepower gains it can bring to your Honda Civic Si.
K&N Performance Air Intake System Features:
- Horsepower gains of 5.77hp @7500RPM
- HDPE rotomolded tube for better airflow
- Reusable and washable High-Flow Air Filter
- Comes with a heat shield to insulate the air from high engine temperatures
- Backed with K&N Engineering 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty
#2 Injen IS Short Ram Air Intake System
- Manufacturer: Injen Technology
- Unique Feature: SuperNano-Web dry air filter
- Horsepower Gain: N/A
- Compatibility: Honda Civic EK (1996-2000)
Another notable air intake manufacturer that sets up casual car enthusiasts for a great time with their cars is Injen Technology. For the Honda Civic EK, they have the IS Short Ram Air Intake System.
It’s an apparent deviation from the typical cold air intake system. The Injen IS Short Ram Air Intake System is a cheap yet effective solution for your performance needs.
By just spending around two hundred bucks, you can get an air intake system that provides optimal power gains to your vehicle without messing up its air-fuel ratios. And also, it can emit a pretty aggressive under-the-hood sound that’s really satisfying, especially under full throttle.
Not to mention some sweet components included, like the reusable SuperNano-Web dry air filter, a durable intake tubing, an optional hydro shield.
If you’re budget-restricted but still want to give the best intake you can get for your money, then you’ve got to check out the Injen IS Short Ram Air Intake System.
Injen IS Short Ram Air Intake System Features:
- SuperNano-Web dry air filter for maximum air filtration
- Optional hydro shield to prevent hydro locking
- Aggressive engine tone while on full throttle
- The mandrel-bent aluminum intake tubing
- Backed with Injen Technology Limited Lifetime Warranty
#3 Injen RD Cold Air Intake System
- Manufacturer: Injen Technology
- Unique Feature: SuperNano-Web dry air filter
- Horsepower Gain: N/A
- Compatibility: Honda Civic EK (1996-2000)
If you’re willing to spend more money and are still interested in what Injen Technology can offer for you and your Honda Civic EK, then please see the Injen RD Cold Air Intake System. As you can see, it’s a proper cold air intake system, unlike the previous one, which is a short ram.
That deviation in the design alone makes a ton of difference, mainly because cold air intakes provide more cold and oxygen-rich air than what short rams can give for your engine.
What separates this intake system from the previous short ram is how Injen Technology integrated so much R&D into it. The Injen RD Cold Air Intake System comprises different components like T6-6061 mandrel-bent aluminum tubing that’s smooth inside, making airflow more efficient than stock.
And also, this intake comes with the same SuperNano-Web dry air filter that’s going to provide you with efficient air filtration. This intake system is indeed a better alternative for the Injen IS Short Ram Air Intake System, but it will cost you more.
Injen RD Cold Air Intake System Features:
- SuperNano-Web dry air filter for maximum air filtration
- Optional hydro shield to prevent hydro locking
- Aggressive engine tone while on full throttle
- Long and smooth mandrel-bent aluminum intake tubing
- Backed with Injen Technology Limited Lifetime Warranty
#4 AEM Cold Air Intake System
- Manufacturer: AEM
- Unique Feature: Dryflow synthetic washable air filter
- Horsepower Gain: N/A
- Compatibility: Honda Civic EK (1996-2000)
AEM has always been amongst the top dogs of the air intake systems scene. When you take a closer look, you’ll see how solid they’ve built their model-specific products and how it dramatically affects whatever vehicle it touches.
For the sixth-generation Honda Civic, they’ve got the AEM Cold Air Intake System, an ideal modification you can get for your car if you’re serious about providing more volumetric airflow to your engine.
It may look like a typical cold air intake system, but many previous owners have testified that this intake system is an actual bang-for-the-buck purchase you can have for your EK Civic.
The AEM Cold Air Intake System replaces your stock air intake system to provide as much airflow for your engine as it possibly can. Connected to AEM’s Dryflow synthetic air filter, the air inducted to the machine will be filtered to the tee first.
This way, optimal fuel combustion can be achieved, thus resulting in more horsepower and torque gains. And also, this intake system works well with the engine’s factory emissions control devices, like the inlet air temperature sensor and the engine breather hose.
AEM Cold Air Intake System Features:
- Dryflow synthetic washable air filter
- Works well with the engine’s factory emissions control devices
- Dyno-tested to provide you with a guaranteed performance boost
- The air filter can last up to 100,000 miles before it needs to be cleaned
- Backed with AEM Lifetime Limited Warranty
#5 Weapon-R Dragon Intake System
- Manufacturer: Weapon-R
- Unique Feature: Dragon filter
- Horsepower Gain: N/A
- Compatibility: Honda Civic Si (1999-2000)
If you own a Honda Civic Si, then we’d like to congratulate you first. This car is an icon, and it’s well-known for being one of the most popular V-TEC-powered Honda cars. Let’s crank its performance capabilities up a notch with the last intake system on our list: the Weapon-R Dragon Intake System.
It’s one of the critically-acclaimed intakes for the Honda Civic Si, and it was used in many countries in various types and forms of racing. If you’re serious about transforming your Honda Civic Si into a beast, then it’s a good idea to start with the Weapon-R Dragon Air Intake System as one of your first mods.
Just like the name suggests, this intake system somehow transforms your car into a dragon, thanks to its aggressive roar that can be experienced under full throttle. This intake system is mated with the famous Dragon filter, which provides 80% more airflow than the conventional cotton air filter you’ll see in the market today.
The Dragon Air filter also utilizes a dense polyurethane foam for superior air filtration. On top of that, the Weapon-R Dragon Air Intake System looks really cool, and it can be a great aesthetic addition under the hood of your car.
Weapon-R Dragon Intake System Features:
- Dragon air filter that’s provides 80% more airflow compared to the conventional cotton air filter
- Dense polyurethane foam as an air filter for maximum air filtration
- Flow bench-tested for a guaranteed increase in volumetric airflow
- Mandrel-bent 6061 aluminum for smooth, less restrictive airflow
- Unique aesthetics
Air intake systems are one of the first modifications car enthusiasts get for their project cars. These are great investments because, most of the time, they guarantee a boost in horsepower and torque, improve your car’s mileage, and provide you with an incredible roaring sound under full throttle.