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I was all excited to install my new CAI system, but am stumped right off the bat. After removing the MAF sensor, and loosening the clamp to the TB, I discover, as I'm pulling up on the air bridge, it has a big buddy holding on. What the heck is that and what impact will it have for it to be gone? I've attached an image below. The part within the green circle is what's in question. Most example videos I have seen have not shown this extra element. It is exactly across from the MAF sensor and looks to be some kind of odd shaped air chamber. Something this specific wasn't crafted and included for no purpose, so I am trying to understand . . . .
Last edited by Midnight08; 10-23-2016 at 07:11 PM.
expansion chamber, it helps with dampening out the air pressure pulses and improve air flow measurements.
Thanks for the quick reply!!
So, what would be the impact of it being gone, since the new air bridge (Ram Air SS CAI), as is the case with others, has no connection for this? And, it doesn't seem like it would come off, either, without cutting and then adding it into the new bridge.
Its more or less a sound deadening device used on many GM products so when you stepon the gas it does not go bwwaaaahhh real loud.
Nothing performance minded at all
Yeah, from all that I read, this is kinda true, but it also has some performance impact, too. How much is up for debate in this application, which seems to be a part of why it's not included in all Corvette models.
Yeah, from all that I read, this is kinda true, but it also has some performance impact, too. How much is up for debate in this application, which seems to be a part of why it's not included in all Corvette models.
No performance gains, Z06 does not have one. Not really even a drivability gain either.
If it did aftermarket CAI would all develop an add on box and sell the hell out of it.
Its so people/consumers have less to complain about noise wise.
No performance gains, Z06 does not have one. Not really even a drivability gain either.
If it did aftermarket CAI would all develop an add on box and sell the hell out of it.
Its so people/consumers have less to complain about noise wise.
I would tend to agree with most of this accept for one thing. It's too much time and effort to design, develop, test, mass produce, and install it for all that to be true. No company goes to all that trouble and expense if there isn't a real world reason(s) behind it - whether the average customer picks up on it's benefit or not.
Clearly, by the time you get to more powerful engines, whatever this was doing no longer makes sense, or they addressed their concerns in other ways.
At this point, I'm content to install the CAI without it, trusting that the gains outweigh the losses overall, since now I'll really have access to much colder air and that alone should help address any "flat spots at lower rpm" that may have been present with the stock air intake setup.
Clearly, by the time you get to more powerful engines, whatever this was doing no longer makes sense, or they addressed their concerns in other ways.
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Noise is not a factor in a 505hp engine.
For a base rig as a DD noise is more of a concern.
Years ago I had a 93 Z28 and then a 94 Z28. I put CAI's and headers on both of them and chunked the silencer box and Cats and added skip shift eliminators on both cars. Boy, did that wake up those LT1's. I didn't care about a little increase in the noise from the CAI.
Last edited by 69 L46 4 Speed; 10-25-2016 at 08:26 AM.
I got everything back together yesterday, obvious lacking the extra appendage. Was glad to fire up the beast, take it for a quick drive, and I didn't notice any noise I didn't care to hear, nor any pauses in throttle response. I'm a noise guy, too, most of the time, so I wasn't concerned about that. That said, it's nice to have the NPP butterfly flaps on road trips, and should I need to quiet down LT headers, in some situations, once I get them, in the months to come.
Tadge replied in a thread that it has something to do with air pulses across the MAF. The reason the LS3 has it and the others do not is that the other engines suck in air differently and do not need it. For the LS3, it smooths air over the MAF. At least that's what I took away from his comments.
Its more or less a sound deadening device used on many GM products so when you stepon the gas it does not go bwwaaaahhh real loud.
Nothing performance minded at all
no not really lol , it is a Helmholtz resonator and the reason for it is to even out the airflow over the senor and stop the SURGE that some folks experience with the old style air cleaner that was on the LS2
I put a Vararam on my car and di not experience surge so I am confident that you will be OK
10-23-2016, 01:03 PM
Air Intake - What the heck??
