When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
When I put a K&N FIPK on my LS1 z28, I gained an average .2 sec at the drag strip. It's no secret that the LS engines respond well to CAI's. But it's also no secret (to us LT4 owners) that the LT4 will hold it's own against the LS1.
That has nothing to do w/cylinder head design; it has to do w/the factory air filtering system. Obviously, on the LS1 F-bod, it's a restriction -there is room for improvement.
In the LT1/LT4/LT5, the air intake is more than sufficient for stock, stockish and beyond, engines. My guess is that the filter system and ducting on the C4 would outflow that of a LS1 F-body.
I have the claw, but, I have cut a patch out of my radiator shroud to allow the cooler air into the filters. After cruising around or racing at the track, the tubing of the claw(all of the way back to IAT censor) is cool to the touch. Throttle response was also better after the fab on the shroud.
Not to mention the sucking sound it makes. Some mistake it for a blower. Maybe that's why I can't get anyone to race.
That has nothing to do w/cylinder head design; it has to do w/the factory air filtering system. Obviously, on the LS1 F-bod, it's a restriction -there is room for improvement.
In the LT1/LT4/LT5, the air intake is more than sufficient for stock, stockish and beyond, engines. My guess is that the filter system and ducting on the C4 would outflow that of a LS1 F-body.
That has nothing to do w/cylinder head design; it has to do w/the factory air filtering system. Obviously, on the LS1 F-bod, it's a restriction -there is room for improvement.
In the LT1/LT4/LT5, the air intake is more than sufficient for stock, stockish and beyond, engines. My guess is that the filter system and ducting on the C4 would outflow that of a LS1 F-body.
True, I had that thing on there for so long that I had forgotten what the stock air box looked like. It was pretty restrictive.
There is the claw, if you can find one. But from what I've read, it doesnt really offer enough of an increase in airflow to make me want to spend $300 on it. Plus the tubes are metal (heat).
I have $160 in it
It's also connected to a LSX on the other end so I couldn't tell you what kind of difference it would make on an L98. I always wanted one but like you I did not want to spend $300. I waited for a used one and put new filters on it. It may get powder coated red someday.
IIRC you can get a cold air system for the car for like 200 bucks for a TPI car. How much bang for the buck that is I'm not sure, but having had my stocker airbox off recently looking at it, I could see plenty of room for improvement on the internals of the air box. It's both ribbed inside (even more unfortunately the ribbing is right where the air begins making the transition from the air box to the mass air flow sensor. Right where the air induction is at it's most thin), and has 3 thick large pillars inside which would cause airflow restrictions. http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-3-135-732.html
I'm getting mine after I do the exhaust, and intake manifold swap on my vette.
As far as the LT1 goes I'm not sure, as I do know the induction system is a little different. http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-3-135-733.html I will say this though, the metal isn't a bad thing really. I've had some experience with metal cold air kits in the past, and I've just not seen significant build up. You also know that in 24 years it won't be brittle and ready to snap into pieces should your induction get dropped on the floor.
Not that I know from experience or anything *shifty eyes*
Last edited by Aaron Keating; Feb 27, 2013 at 01:38 PM.
The other thought I had/have, if I ever stroke the engine and need more air, would be to get an aftermarket CAI designed for the C6. Fitting this will require cutting the radiator shroud, as the air bridge on C5/C6 cars had a much steeper slope. I believe that because the C6 bridge couples more directly to the intake on those cars, the space between the MAF over the radiator would be similar on ours, allowing the C6 airbridge to fit. But until, I have more cubes, I can't see the cost/effort being worth it.
Originally Posted by ch@0s
I have $160 in it
It's also connected to a LSX on the other end so I couldn't tell you what kind of difference it would make on an L98. I always wanted one but like you I did not want to spend $300. I waited for a used one and put new filters on it. It may get powder coated red someday.
I suprised that you didn't try and go with one of the C6 CAI's like the Airaid, or Blackwing. Or perhaps you did and it couldn't fit, I would just think that an LSx engine would benefit tremendously with that set up. Perhaps I'm mistaken.
My custom coldair intake. Cut lid, K&N filter, cut out bumper.
I've unfortunately never taken newer photos after I boxed in the bumper. You don't want air getting trapped in the front bumper cover as it'll cause lift at higher speed.
I suprised that you didn't try and go with one of the C6 CAI's like the Airaid, or Blackwing. Or perhaps you did and it couldn't fit, I would just think that an LSx engine would benefit tremendously with that set up. Perhaps I'm mistaken.
I havent tried anything else, I already had this from my previous set up ,Vortec head and HSR combo. I will tell you this the engine that is in my car made 380 RWH in the 99 Camaro it was in.The only difference is my stock 98 vette exhaust and this intake. My tuner had to add 10% fuel across the board so it is breathing a lot better in my car.We also haven't fine tuned it yet so it may make a lot more power. (crossing fingers)
not really possible unless the inlet is outside of the combo air-box that houses the condensor and radiator with that fan system that pulls air thru...not a high pressure area to induce the ram air effect. The only other way is to catch the negative airstream behind an obstruction...where? install a shaker hood and go for it.
One interesting idea that I never saw developed was to flip the stock style air cleaner, cut an opening in the shround so the air cleaner opening was facing into the airbox ahead of the condensor,, mfg new duct to get back to the MAF and TB, and install a baffle or airfoil in the nose to direct high speed air flow at the open air cleaner intake. Viola ! cram-air.
never saw anyone do that but it was discussed somewhere many yrs ago,... I guess there were too many off the rack systems available for anyone to experiment..
No one has mentioned the sound. My 'vette still has the stock air box with a K&N. Years ago when I got my '96 Impala SS I added what's known as the "Home Depot" cold air system. It consists of a Camaro elbow, a piece of 3.5" exaust pipe, a sewer pipe clamp (from HD) and a cone shaped K&N. I'm pretty sure it has little effect on engine performance but it sounds awsome. At cruising speed it's quiet but at WOT the sound of the air rushing into the engine is really cool.
Do any of the systems mentioned above change the sound at WOT?
COPO had mentioned doing a 'ram air' style intake similar to this after adding that scoop to that bitchin' hood of his. Perhaps he'll see this thread and chime in.
Hello all, my 85 C4 has a broken bracket on the passenger side where the air filter lives. I have it held together with zip ties for now. I am planning to upgrade but based on this thread it seams like a stock intake with a smooth surface connector to the throttle body and a good K&N filter is the way to go. I have had great results on my imports with CAIs. Thoughts? My name is Mark BTW