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Restore Lost Performance in Your Lexus RX300 with the AEM Replacement Air Filter

Oct 26, 2016

The AEM 28-20145 DryFlow air filter fits the 1999-2003 Lexus RX300

Back in the 1990s, sport utility vehicles were the hottest thing on the market. Mom liked the high-up driving position and the feeling of invincibility. Dad liked the look, and an SUV could tow his boat a lot better than mom's old minivan. But rich people were less convinced, because luxury SUVs of the era were just fancied up trucks that didn't ride or drive very well. Then Lexus decided to build a LuxUV that was based on a car chassis, making it one of the world's first luxury crossovers. To make a splash, they made it look like a luxury moon rover, then gave it a sumptuous interior, complete with La-Z-Boy seating and gorgeous wood trim. Its Camry chassis provided an appropriately smooth ride, and the 3.0L V6 offered the kind of velvety performance that you'd expect from a European luxury sedan. Thanks to its near perfect blend of comfort, opulence and performance, the XU10 Lexus RX300 quickly became the brand's best-selling model. Its 1MZ-FE 3.0L V6 is also known to cover 200,000-300,000 miles with proper maintenance. One way you can help your RX300 breathe easier is to simply use an AEM 28-20145 DryFlow air filter. This drop-in replacement air filter requires no modifications to install.

Each AEM DryFlow replacement air filter is made from a new synthetic material that requires no oil and uses a depth loading design to trap dirt deep within the material. As air flows into the filter, the unique web of synthetic fibers will stop even the dirt particles, then hold them in place until it is time to clean them. To clean an AEM synthetic filter, you simply spray it with the specially formulated AEM DryFlow cleaner, rinse it out, then re-install the filter once it dries. It is recommended to clean it once every 50,000 miles depending on driving conditions. This depth loading design allows the AEM 28-20145 DryFlow air filter to remove up to 99% of contaminants, while allowing more air to flow through. An OE Lexus 3.0 V6 air filter on the other hand, stores dirt on the surface (i.e. surface loading), which severely reduces the amount of air that can get to the motor.

Designed to drop into the factory air box, the AEM 28-20145 installs in less than 5 minutes

With the AEM 28-20145 DryFlow air filter you'll save money on replacement air filters, because it is guaranteed to last for the life of your RX300. If anything ever happens to it, the AEM Lifetime Limited Warranty will replace it free of charge. New luxury crossovers are expensive, so keep your 1999 - 2003 Lexus RX300 going strong with an AEM DryFlow replacement air filter.

AEM 28-20145 air filter for 1999-2003 Lexus RX300 SUVs

The AEM 28-20145 comes ready to install straight out of the box

Features & Benefits of the AEM 28-20145 DryFlow air filter:

Engineered for the 1999-2003 Lexus RX300
Increases engine airflow
Street legal in all 50 states
Drop-in replacement for stock Lexus air filter
Synthetic AEM Dryflow air filter can go up to 50,000 miles before cleaning is required (depending on road conditions)
Backed by the AEM Lifetime Limited Warranty

The AEM 28-20145 DryFlow air filter fits the following vehicles:

2004 TOYOTA AVALON 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2003 TOYOTA SOLARA 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2003 TOYOTA SOLARA 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2003 TOYOTA SIENNA 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2003 TOYOTA AVALON 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2003 LEXUS RX300 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2002 TOYOTA SOLARA 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2002 TOYOTA SOLARA 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2002 TOYOTA SIENNA 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2002 TOYOTA AVALON 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2002 LEXUS RX300 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2001 TOYOTA SOLARA 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2001 TOYOTA SOLARA 2.2L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2001 TOYOTA SIENNA 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2001 TOYOTA CAMRY 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2001 TOYOTA CAMRY 2.2L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2001 TOYOTA AVALON 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2001 LEXUS RX300 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2001 LEXUS ES300 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2000 TOYOTA SOLARA 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2000 TOYOTA SOLARA 2.2L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2000 TOYOTA SIENNA 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2000 TOYOTA CAMRY 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2000 TOYOTA CAMRY 2.2L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2000 TOYOTA AVALON 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2000 LEXUS RX300 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2000 LEXUS ES300 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1999 TOYOTA SOLARA 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1999 TOYOTA SOLARA 2.2L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
1999 TOYOTA SIENNA 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1999 TOYOTA CAMRY 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1999 TOYOTA CAMRY 2.2L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
1999 TOYOTA AVALON 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1999 LEXUS RX300 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1999 LEXUS ES300 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1998 TOYOTA SIENNA 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1998 TOYOTA CAMRY 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1998 TOYOTA CAMRY 2.2L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
1998 TOYOTA AVALON 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1998 LEXUS ES300 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1997 TOYOTA CAMRY 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1997 TOYOTA CAMRY 2.2L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
1997 TOYOTA AVALON 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
1997 LEXUS ES300 3.0L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models

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Come See AEM-Driver Chris Forsberg's 280Z at SEMA

Oct 21, 2016

The 1975 240Z gets a new look without ruining the classic Z image

The Datsun S30 280Z brings up memories of classic road racing, BRE liveries, and amazing looks that few cars achieve to replicate today. However, when it comes to Chris Forsberg, images of smoking tires and opposite lock always come to mind. So, when the two come together you know magic is going to happen. Now, you can see the newest iteration of his RB25-powered 280Z at the AEM booth during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Forsberg's 280Z under the knife

While this car was already built to be a definitive drifting rendition of the 280Z, it’s gone back under the knife and will look different from how we saw it last. The outside will be improved without going away from what made the 280Z an icon thanks to the CarbonSignal G-Nose Body Kit. It also necessitates the wheels be wider than they originally were. Now, the Z sports a set of SSR Professor MS1 wheels in 16x9 and 17x10 supported by a set of Hankook tires in 225/50R16 and 255/40R17. Completing the look is the BRE style rear wing that brings back images of Peter Brock and John Morton. There will also be a new color for the Z that Sam’s Auto Land will be in charge of. Lighting up the night far better than the weak halogen lights it originally came with, the headlights will receive Dapper Lighting’s projector headlights and LED taillights.

The RB25DET will not change much, but an AEM filter and aluminum charge piping will be installed

Internally, the RB25DET will remain unchanged, but it will get an improved exhaust manifold in the form of a DOC Race V-Band. It’s coupled together to a TiAL XONA Rotor 3071 turbo with an OCD Works “T51R Turbo” mod to give it that true jet intake sound. The Deatschwerks 650cc injectors and 340lph fuel pump will ensure it’s fed as the AEM four-inch filter and aluminum charge piping keep the air clean and going in the right direction – from the turbo to the Mishimoto M-Line intercooler to the custom CarbonCreations carbon/billet intake manifold. Keeping the block cool is a Mishimoto radiator and dual pass oil cooler.

Techno Toy Tuning and Wilwood will improve handling and braking

Of course, when you make a Z more powerful, you need to improve the drivetrain to handle the new power output. The FS5W71C transmission is more than enough to take on the new power, but the clutch was changed over to an ACT six-puck clutch kit. In the back, the differential was changed out to Nissan’s stronger R200 from the “long nose” R180 it originally had (the pinion is much longer than even the R200’s by several inches). This required the use of Techno Toy Tuning’s (T3) complete R200 rear conversion, which includes the mounts for the R200, a coilover conversion, which also allows camber adjustment on the Koni shocks, new weld-on camber plates, and rebuilt axles to fit the differential. T3 is also used to replace the front control arms and caster rods to adjustable pieces, convert the front to an adjustable coilover setup, big brake kit with Wilwood four-piston calipers and rotors, and adjustable rear control arms.

CarbonSignal, Speedhut, T3, and Clarion make an awesome interior combo.

If you go and make the outside look good, the inside needs to match as well. That’s where CarbonSignal comes in once again. They provided a custom dashboard fitted with Speedhut’s custom gauge kit. Matching the dash, the center console door panels, and bucket seats all come from CarbonSignal but fit the iconic looks of the Z perfectly. To keep Chris and passengers in those seats, a Takata four-point harness is employed on each side with a T3 harness bar locating the shoulder belts properly. The steering was already improved thanks to T3, but a custom electric power steering column will also be installed. Entertainment is provided by a Clarion NX604 navigation head unit and a set of 6.5-inch speakers; but who’s going to be bored in an overly powerful and sideways Z?

It's still in progress, but you can see the finished result at the AEM Booth at the 2016 SEMA Show

It’s still in progress as of this writing but you can see Chris Forsberg’s fully improved 280Z at the AEM SEMA Booth, number 22755, in the racing and performance section of Central Hall. While you’re there be sure to check out the new products we’ll be debuting at the show, just be sure to wipe the drool off before coming over. We’ll see you and the Z at the SEMA Show on November 1st to the 4th, 2016.

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AEM at Formula Drift Round 8: Field Gets the Win, Forsberg Gets the Championship

Oct 20, 2016

Three Time Formula Drift Champion and AEM Driver, Chris Forsberg

It’s the end of another Formula Drift Season but it was far from ordinary. While many drivers struggled with issues prior to qualifying our AEM Drivers were able to take the field to task with an event win at Irwindale and a Championship. Chris Forsberg narrowly beat out fellow AEM driver, Fredric Aasbo, for his third Formula Drift Pro Championship despite not winning the entire season. For him, consistency was the key but Matt Field was able to take out the twenty-nine car field for his second event win in 2016.

Depending on how you view it, getting a championship without a win can be considered the boring way to do it. From the point of view of a driver in this position, it’s far easier to lose the championship without one and makes it quite the nail-biter at the final round. This is especially true if the next closest championship contender only has to go a round or two further than you do and you’re stuck on the sideline watching in the last event of the season. This was exactly the unenviable situation that AEM-sponsored driver, Chris Forsberg and his NOS Energy team were in at Irwindale.

The fans gather at Irwindale for the final round at the AEM Booth

While Chris was able to perform better than his opponent in Top Thirty-Two, he would find trouble in the Top Sixteen while in his follow run. The lead driver went in deep and fast into the inner bank, which resulted in him slowing more than he had normally in the event. Chris wasn’t prepared for such a dramatic deceleration, made contact with the lead driver, and then the wall. This put his competition night to an end but his championship hopes weren’t dashed at the moment. Fredric Aasbo in the Rockstar Energy Scion tC, and fellow AEM driver, could have taken it away if he could make it into the Final Four.

Chris Forsberg celebrates with NOS Energy team

AEM-sponsored driver of the NOS Energy 370Z, Chris Forsberg and team upon winning the Championship

For the prior rounds, Aasbo’s performance would have been a given. That would have continued to be true until he would face Matt Field in the Gears of War 4 Nissan 240SX. Not only was Matt a fellow AEM-sponsored driver – he was also coming off of a win at the previous round at Texas. You could also feel that Matt was fully prepared for this round. His driving, attitude and team made it well known: he was here to win no matter who he faced off against. While Aasbo and Matt made contact at the final clipping point, the damage wasn’t as bad as feared. Field then took charge and kept close proximity with Aasbo. His performance and the mistake by Aasbo would mean that Matt Field would charge on into the Great Eight and Chris Forsberg would get an unprecedented third Formula Drift Pro Championship.

With a third Formula Drift Pro Championship, Forsberg writes new history for the series. “It feels great to win another championship,” he said after learning about his title win, “I know it wasn’t the way we wanted to win it after throwing our car into the wall, but a championship is won in the entire season; it isn’t won on one event.” Forsberg continued, “One of the best advantages to a championship season is reliability, keeping dirt, dust, and rubber out of our engine is crucial and we know that we can rely on AEM Filtration to achieve that. With zero mechanical failures, we were able to battle our way to 1st Place!”

Matt Field, AEM driver, takes his second straight win at Irwindale

2015 Formula Drift Champion, Fredric Aasbo, had this to say after the event, “It’s been an incredible rollercoaster year and we went after it with everything we had. We came off our championship win last year and have had two stellar years now.” With results like that, Aasbo and Papadakis Racing are now seen as a top team in FD, “I think it’s a big testament to not only the team but my partners who allowed us to take this unusual build – a build that perhaps not everyone had faith in – and turn it into arguably one of the best cars out there and, with our 2AR engine being the smallest engine in the field, we are pushing it to the very edge. For our engine to breathe freely and reliably, AEM Intakes have allowed us to do that year after year.”

Field would go on to win the event in dominate fashion and his year was just as amazing. In the final two events, he would have a ten-win streak, faced and beat a former Formula Drift Champion five times, and faced and beat a Top Ten points driver seven times. “Feels really good to get two in a row,” said Matt Field at the podium, “We got a set of new, custom designed filters from AEM right before competition day. With that, we feel it gave us the edge we needed to nudge out the competition. Every piece of the whole package counts when you're competing for a win. We still tried really hard to drive smart, unfortunately we made one mistake in the finals but we were graced with a one more time and then the win.”

Chris Forsberg 2016 and three time Formula Drift Champion

AEM-sponsored driver of the NOS Energy 370Z, Chris Forsberg, is your first three-time Champion

All of AEM’s sponsored drivers put on amazing performances at the final round of the Formula Drift Pro Championship and in the series at Irwindale. Kristaps Bluss in the HGK Motorsports BMW M3 would finish out the event in the Top Sixteen and twelfth in the points standings – an amazing result for a driver in only his second year in the series and missing one round. Not far behind him was Michael Essa in his Loudmouth Exhaust BMW M3, finishing the event in the Top Thirty-Two after facing Bluss and ending his year fourteenth in points. While Fredric Aasbo wasn’t able to clench a second championship in a row, he was still able to take second in points. With his two wins and performance in the entire season, Matt Field closed out the year fifth in points. Finally, as mentioned earlier, Chris Forsberg forges new ground with not only a third championship – the only driver in the history of Formula Drift to do so – but also win without taking a single win and showing unfailing performance is what wins at the end of the day.

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Match Competitors' HP with an AEM Intake Kit for Your Lexus NX 200t

Oct 12, 2016

AEM 21-787C cold air intake system for Lexus NX200t

The tapered conical Dryflow synthetic air filter provides outstanding air flow and filtration

There’s little to argue about that the Lexus NX 200t is one of the most stylish small SUVs on the market. And the interior has the degree of quality and level of fit and finish you’d expect from Lexus. What surprised many about the small Lexus crossover is that the company would power this model with a turbocharged, four cylinder engine.

The 8AR-FTS 2.0 liter inline four-cylinder DOHC engine features direct fuel injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger designed in-house by Toyota. Compressed intake air passes through a liquid-cooled intercooler to lower its temperature before it enters the combustion chamber. On the exit side of the turbo, a variable wastegate valve improves efficiency. As in almost every other category, you would expect the engine of the NX 200t to be best-in-class. But that’s not the case.

When compared to the Ford Escape, a much less expensive car, but one that is within inches of the NX200t in almost every dimension, generates 245 horsepower from a 2.0 liter four cylinder engine with a turbocharger. That’s a full 10 additional horsepower. But there’s a solution to this shortcoming.

The AEM 21-787C cold air intake is a relatively inexpensive DIY modification that takes only a couple of hours to install with tools just about everyone has in their garage.

The results of AEM testing are that an otherwise stock 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder Lexus NX 200t is measured on the chassis dynamometer with a 21-787C installed, output power increased by an estimated 14 horsepower.

With the AEM 21-787C air intake system, air enters the system through the AEM air filter, which is installed in the original factory air box location and is protected by a heat shield designed to reduce intake air temperature and increase horsepower.

The filter itself is a tapered conical AEM Dryflow synthetic washable air filter which provides outstanding air flow, filtration, and performance.

The 21-787C installs in the factory air box location

The AEM 21-787C cold air intake system come with the necessary boots, clamps, and hardware for an OEM-type appearance. OEM mounting brackets and hardware are utilized for seamless installation. The air intake tube is constructed from mandrel-bent aluminum tubing finished in a durable gunmetal gray powder coat. Further, this air intake system was developed to accommodate the 8AR-FTS engine’s factory emissions control devices including the mass air flow sensor and engine vent lines.

Your AEM air filter is good for about 100,000 miles with proper service (depending upon your driving conditions). If you drive in dusty conditions, your filter may require more frequent maintenance. Cleaning consists of an application of AEM synthetic air filter cleaner, which will loosen and dissolve grime and dirt built up on the filter, after which the filter can simply be rinsed with water, dried, and reinstalled. No messy oiling required!

AEM warrants that its intake systems will last for the life of your vehicle. Proof of purchase of both the vehicle and AEM intake system is required for redemption of a warranty claim. Full warranty details are available on the AEM website and in the installation instructions that come with the kit.

The 21-787C fits the following vehicles:

2016 LEXUS NX200T 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2015 LEXUS NX200T 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models

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2016 Nissan Maxima Cold Air Intake by AEM Improves Horsepower while Protecting Engine

Aug 24, 2016

The AEM 21-793C cold air intake system includes three stainless steel clamps and low restriction mandrel-bent aluminum tubing with a durable gunmetal gray powder coated finish.

he AEM 21-793C air intake system is specifically designed and engineered for the 2016 front-wheel drive Nissan Maxima with the 3.5-liter V6 engine. The engine is mated to a revised continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that has Sport and Manual Modes. It comes in five trim levels – the base S, SL, SR, SV, and Platinum – with a plethora of safety features including blind spot warning, forward collision warning, and forward emergency braking. Driver attention alert, around view monitor, adaptive cruise control, and moving object detection is available only on the Platinum trim.

Included in the intake system is the AEM 21-2113DK DryFlow air filter that captures and holds up to 99% of harmful containments.

The S trim includes charcoal or cashmere cloth upholstery as standard. Charcoal or cashmere leather upholstery comes standard on the SV, SL, and Platinum. The SR includes leather upholstery with charcoal or camel Alcantara inserts. The SV trim includes leather seats, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, driver's seat power lumbar support, and driver's seat thigh support.

The SL includes what is in the SV, but also includes a Bose premium audio system, blind spot warning, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control and panoramic moon roof. The SR does not include the moonroof, but adds a sports-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, premium Ascot leather with diamond-quilted Alcantara inserts, and an integrated dynamics control module, which adds active ride control and active engine brake to enhance ride and handling.

Central control is very convenient to use. For example, control of the basic audio system can be performed with knobs on the radio faceplate, from a central control knob on the console, or redundant controls on the steering wheel. The system also includes a touchscreen on which menu choices are displayed.

The system provides a professional look when installed in your 2016 Nissan Maxima.

The Platinum trim includes a 360° camera system, which is ideal in assisting the driver to park the vehicle. The moving-object detection (MOD) warns the driver of cars, bikes, and pedestrians who may be approaching the vehicle from any direction. Driver attention alert (DAA) monitors steering movements and sounds a warning if steering gets erratic, which may occur when he or she becomes drowsy.

The AEM 21-793C cold air intake is specifically designed and engineered for the 2016 Nissan Maxima. The system includes a DRYFLOW air filter that features a synthetic filter media with no oil required and a thick third media to help increase airflow and achieve higher capacity. The filter is washable and reusable and can be used for up to 100,000 miles before cleaning is necessary, based on driving conditions.

AEM also offers a synthetic air filter cleaner that is specially formulated to loosen and dissolve dirt and grime from the filter so that they can be easily rinsed with water.

The cold air intake system is designed and constructed to permit air to enter through the air filter for better airflow, filtration, and performance. The air filter fits into the factory air box space and is protected with a heat shield that reduces intake air temperature to help increase horsepower. The entire system can be easily installed using common hand tools and it is backed with an AEM Lifetime Limited Warranty.

The AEM 21-793C Cold Air Intake System is designed and engineered to fit the following vehicle:

2016 Nissan Maxima 3.5L V6

You can view all the air intakes that AEM makes for the Nissan Maxima at the Air Intake Systems for the Nissan Maxima page and all the air filters that AEM makes for the Nissan Maxima at the Air Filters for the Nissan Maxima page. You can view all the AEM performance products for any vehicle by using the Search by Vehicle tool and you can find a local AEM retailer by plugging your location into the AEM Dealer Search as well.