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Saw this but no post on here from C5 owners reviewing it. Considering getting one after the post of dyno sheet. Looks to be a 15hp gain on 01 to 04 C5s and more on the 97 to 01s. Anyone own one that can give feedback?
More than likely no gains, the engine they used as a test was only putting out 280 hp on their dyno, most stock engines were around 300 hp. You do not know if they did any tuning after the install--usually done to show better gains. It is still using heated engine air for the intake, so how can it be able to induce more oxygen into the cylinder. When looking at many of the adv. for hp gains the devil is in the details.
More than likely no gains, the engine they used as a test was only putting out 280 hp on their dyno, most stock engines were around 300 hp. You do not know if they did any tuning after the install--usually done to show better gains. It is still using heated engine air for the intake, so how can it be able to induce more oxygen into the cylinder. When looking at many of the adv. for hp gains the devil is in the details.
No CAI will give 15 HP all by itself. When combined with lots of other mods, in perfect conditions, a CAI can add 15-20HP. However, this is not going to happen on an otherwise stock car with a stock tune. It is likely to improve airflow over stock. It can also (as I've mentioned ) have a bigger impact when combined with other mods. I don't want to suggest that it won't do anything at all. However, it won't make enough difference by itself for you to feel it at all in the butt dyno. If you want a CAI, pick whichever one you want as there's not enough difference between them to matter.
NOTE: The one exception to this is the Vararam system. This is because it is not just a CAI. It is actually a ram air system that actually pushes cold air into the intake.
The ram effect is considered effective only at very high speeds. I don’t recall the exact number, but something like 120 mph or more is where it begins. Seems to have a narrow application.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Nov 25, 2021 at 08:35 AM.
It still makes it one of the better systems available, especially since even at lower speeds it is actually drawing in cold outside air, instead of warm air from the engine bay. Regardless, I stand by my post from a year and a half ago which is that most CAI don't really make a significant difference by themselves.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Nov 25, 2021 at 08:36 AM.
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