Well of course, the guy at AEM told you what ever he needed to to make you buy the intake, or if you already had, to keep a better image and spreed to the word, just as you are now.

As far as complete submersion, funny that he mentioned that, because that's the only time that that stupid bypass valve actually works, when there is a sufficient pressure change, in other words, when the filter is almost or completely submerged, which by that time, it's way too late!!!

As far as East coast or West coast, it doesn't matter where you are, water is water, and if you ever run into any water, deep enough to get into your filter, you run a very good risk of hydro locking it, and it doesn't take any more then a couple ounces to hydro-lock your motor. Sometimes if you're lucky, the water will evaporate before it hits the combustion chamber, if not, say good bye to your rods.

It's not likely to just splash into your filter from a puddle or something, as you have a splah gaurd, and it's a lot harder to suck up water then air, not to mention, filters ussualy, if you keep up on it, have oil, which gives it a certain amount of water proofing. As I said, just beware of standing water, and large puddles, go up to your splash gaurd, and you may be explaining to your insurance company why your motor just suddenly stoped working.

In any case, I've had three friends where I live in south FL, that jave locked up their motors with cold air intakes in the last two years, on who actually had that air bypass valve, who tried to ask AEM what was up, but all AEM had to say is that they were very sorry it didn't work, but if you read the disclamer that they were not responsible. Just be careful, it's not worth a couple extra horses to have to buy a new motor.

As far as the comptech ice box, it is vented, and designed so there is not enough intrernal pressure to suck up water, and there are a couple drainage holes on the way to the filter just in case, not to mention the filter is still kept in the engine bay.

Any way, Later!!!

Aj