CAI Bypass Valve - is it legit

[jrim]

I ordered this from ebay, close to $20 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-AIR-FILTER-BYPASS-VALVE-FOR-COLD-AIR-INTAKE-76mm_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33659QQihZ015QQite mZ250352814295QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

http://i13.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/28/c8/d389_1.JPG

I received it today and I'm a bit skeptical. This item is the $2 alternative (excluding shipping, I highly doubt it cost $17 to actually ship it to me..) to the $50 AEM filter bypass valve.

The red filter object is extremely stiff and doesn't even look breathable. I don't see how this thing serves a purpose as a bypass valve - it's supposed to act like a straw with a hole in it from what I've read but I just can't see it functioning as intended. It is somewhat breathable though because if I blow on it, I can feel the air passing through to the other side.

CAI hasn't arrived yet so I haven't been able to test it yet.

Has anyone else ordered this guy's filter(s) and can comment on the legitimacy of the product? It seems like it would just be a drain on my performance. Or can a fellow weekend mechanic make an educated observation? :p

[Gr1m]

it will take air in from that filter if the main filter ever completely submerges in water

[jrim]

it will take air in from that filter if the main filter ever completely submerges in water

Ohhh, got it. Thank you. One more bit though - It doesn't take air in from that filter during normal operation? Or just a tiny bit?

[Gr1m]

air will travel through both filters during normal operation

[jrim]

Thought so, thanks again.