Soloontario

I know with the right dyno etc, you can get some moderate increases in peak HP from a cold air intake.

My question is, does this actually make a difference in lap times?

JeremyGSU

Theoretically if you're already maxing out your lap times then yes but only by a small amount. You're not talking a huge horsepower difference there to see big gains but you should see "something" if you can run consistent laps. But for most I don't think you'd see a thing.

StreetSpeed

X2. Unless you're running extremely consistent lap times (like with in a couple tenths all the time) I don't imagine the 10rwhp or so you'll get from a CAI will translate into lap times. But, if you happen to be Randy Pobst, then I guess it would make a difference.

waddisme

I was able to see 4-6 mph increase at end of VIR backstretch after I installed my Vararam. I should have measured the IATs of before and after, but I didn't think about it.

brkntrxn

As the others said, with all else being equal and IF you can throw down laps within a hundreds of a second of each other consistently, it might make a sliver of difference if you can optimize the extra 10hp. In the real world, the answer is NO.

I still run the stock air box on my car with a simple K&N air filter.

Soloontario

In Time-Attack competition, sometimes you win or lose by a few tenths. My top speeds according to an AiM data logger, tend to be very close I.e within a couple of MPH or less lap to lap but lap times usually vary by at least a few tenths or more (although not always).

OTOH I gather some CAIs increase peak HP but may drop the torque curve to make no net change to actual acceleration.

If I add a CAI for next year, I'll let you know the difference (if there is one). On a high HP track like Mosport, an extra 10 hp might make a difference.

StreetSpeed

Did you install is the same day in between runs? If you were doing 145 and all the sudden doing 151, you picked up alot more than 10whp.

Soloontario

I agree, that seems like a big change and likely indicates more than 10 hp gain. OTOH there has to be some ram air effect at higher speeds so maybe they make more than 10 hp at high speed.

I hear the Vararam is a PITA to install while others are much simpler.

What other CAIs have people used ?

Suns_PSD

I have a like new Callaway intake for sale in TX with the matching shroud for sale for an LS3. That's a quality system that is dyno proven to add more than 10 rwhp.

To me, CAIs, offer the most bang for the buck. There are very few downsides.

waddisme

Not between runs, but between different track day events. Before the VR, I was consistently 145-146 top speed. After VR, I broke 150 for the first time. I cannot remember any other mods. Seems like I posted a thread here, but that was 6 years ago. It is not scientific as I did not have my lap timer then.

Hi Volts Z06

I think a CAI can make a difference in lap times for the simple reason of intake temps. If a system provides cold air consistently it helps overcome power loss resulting from heat soak. Since my car is a full race car, my present cold air intake setup is a custom setup I built around a reversed intake. My custom carbon fiber air box is located where the glovebox used to be and its fed from the cowl, so under hood temps don't factor in. Prior to this setup, my intake was located under hood and would suck hot air to the point where my best lap would be my first, on stone cold tires. (And I mean dropping off significantly.)

Hi Volts Z06

I'd be willing to bet the weather conditions were radically different between those two days. (With your faster lap times coming on a much cooler day).

Soloontario

I understand the issues with the "flip-tie" shroud cutting mod.

Does the SLP blackwing work with a C5Z or just a plain C5 ?