Cold Air Intake ?
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia SC
Cold Air Intake ?
I was inquiring from some more experienced c4 folks. I have a '94 LT1, and have had people talking about cold air intake systems. Anyone installed their own....recommendations?? suggestions?? successes??
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 383
Likes: 21
From: Tulsa, OK
I'm curious as to wether there is a noticable improvement in horsepower to those that have installed cold-air intakes on a stock LT1? If so, which brand or does it matter?
The thing that has caused me reservation on this is because you get locked into a certain air filter type when you install these rather than being able to buy a stock air filter at local parts stores.
The thing that has caused me reservation on this is because you get locked into a certain air filter type when you install these rather than being able to buy a stock air filter at local parts stores.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,678
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Georgia
I have seen a few kinds. Most notably the triple intake by SLP. I have found that the most common. I do not believe it is hard to install but ive never done it so dont take my word. You will not really feel the difference honestly unless you have some big mods ie: heads, cam, supercharge etc
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 5
From: Daleville Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08
You don't notice the improvement much(2-3hp), but is does look and sound better then stock. Also the SLP is not a real cold air intake, you have to cut your radiator shroud to get some cold air in.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,196
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From: Orlando FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Over stock, I've heard over and over and over again (theres 100 posts on this) that about the best you can do is cut the air lid and install a better filter and save yourself a few hundred bucks.
I am about to modify my "short ram" idea to a CAI here soon.
Rubber hose off the MAF (not sure what is on an LT1, this is for my L98) then run some truck radiator hose (3" dia or so) down to the stock filter area, cut the radiator shroud a bit and shove the hose and filter through. A splash guard will have to be constructed around it as that area gets a LOT of water intake from the big air dam opening.
BUUUTTT... all that said.. you really aren't gaining any HP that will be noticable at all unless like the guys above said, you have BIG time mods that can utilize the air intake.
I am about to modify my "short ram" idea to a CAI here soon.
Rubber hose off the MAF (not sure what is on an LT1, this is for my L98) then run some truck radiator hose (3" dia or so) down to the stock filter area, cut the radiator shroud a bit and shove the hose and filter through. A splash guard will have to be constructed around it as that area gets a LOT of water intake from the big air dam opening.
BUUUTTT... all that said.. you really aren't gaining any HP that will be noticable at all unless like the guys above said, you have BIG time mods that can utilize the air intake.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 1
From: South Amboy NJ
I have seen a few kinds. Most notably the triple intake by SLP. I have found that the most common. I do not believe it is hard to install but ive never done it so dont take my word. You will not really feel the difference honestly unless you have some big mods ie: heads, cam, supercharge etc
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,196
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Does not do much on a stock engine, and many for the LT1 are not true cold-air systems.
Would never show on a dyno either, has to be tested on a track.
Save your money.
Would never show on a dyno either, has to be tested on a track.
Save your money.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
I installed this one in my 95. It's the hardest to install. I thought it was pretty easy though. It just took patience and a lot of cutting. We had some C5 poeple stop over that day from the local Vettte club. They must have thought I was nuts going at my front bumper with a hole saw, recipricating saw, and dremel tool. I'm surprised no one had a heart attack. 
A/O Ram Air (I had to cut out more than what is shown here.)
This was the original air box mod I had done.
A/O Ram Air (I had to cut out more than what is shown here.)
This was the original air box mod I had done.
Last edited by rickneworleansla; Aug 16, 2007 at 03:58 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 383
Likes: 21
From: Tulsa, OK
Not sure if this is true, but someone told me to be careful with K&N air filters because they allow more air through which, in turn, also allows more dirt/dust/debris into the engine.
Would this be
??
Would this be
??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 36
From: Jenks OK
There's discussion on both sides of the line. After years with a K&N I switched back to a paper filter because there is just to much dirt in the wind here to keep a K&N clean (On my chase truck I have to replace the air filter almost every six months) Plus the gains seemed so incremental and dropped off so much as it got dirty that it just wasn't worth it anymore for me. As for allowing more dirt in, probably a little bit, but if you maintain it and keep it well oiled it shouldn't be a significant difference on a well maintained engine.
