Air intake help please
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 147
Likes: 45
From: Highland Lakes NJ
Air intake help please
I know. There's a LOT on this topic but I could use a little help.
Not looking to gain gobs of power and I don't want to make a lot of mods.
Had my oil changed and the mechanic noticed the flip latches on the box that holds the air filter are shot.
I've seen those "ram" style intakes with 2 conical filters ant thought they looked kinda cool. Can I just bolt one of those on with no other mods?
Also--I've seen them for as little as $80. Anything wrong with those? And if so, what's a good & easy replacement for the stock box/filter?
Thanks
Not looking to gain gobs of power and I don't want to make a lot of mods.
Had my oil changed and the mechanic noticed the flip latches on the box that holds the air filter are shot.
I've seen those "ram" style intakes with 2 conical filters ant thought they looked kinda cool. Can I just bolt one of those on with no other mods?
Also--I've seen them for as little as $80. Anything wrong with those? And if so, what's a good & easy replacement for the stock box/filter?
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 776
Likes: 246
From: KY
They tend to be direct bolt on and if not they typically come with the adapters to make them work. So now to the gist of your question. You may notice a change in tone and it may feel like a slight seat of your pants increase but you would be lucky to gain anymore than 5HP. These "cold air intakes" aren't drawing any cold air in anymore than the stock airbox does. They are trapped in a box created by the radiator shroud and front panel so that there is no fresh air available to them. Want to do the same thing for $0? Take the top off of your airbox and ziptie the filter to the bottom (plenty of threads on how to do this). It will be EXACTLY THE SAME as the CAI that you are thinking of buying. There are at least 2 CAI that require mods to the air box either by cutting a square into the back of the box in front of the radiator to let cold air in or by adding duct work in place of the fog lights to bring in cold air. They cost considerably more than $80 and for the one with duct work are hard to install. Net gain, maybe 10-15hp.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 147
Likes: 45
From: Highland Lakes NJ
Thanks Autoeng.
I have seen references to the Zip Tie Mod and maybe that's the way to go, since the presenting problem is the latches on the stock box not working. Just to clarify--I wasn't looking for a true CAI, I just thought those chrome ram's horn deals with the red cone filters "look" cool and was wondering if there is a downside. Maybe something like this: https://www.corvettecentral.com/c5-9...1%26count%3d18
I have seen references to the Zip Tie Mod and maybe that's the way to go, since the presenting problem is the latches on the stock box not working. Just to clarify--I wasn't looking for a true CAI, I just thought those chrome ram's horn deals with the red cone filters "look" cool and was wondering if there is a downside. Maybe something like this: https://www.corvettecentral.com/c5-9...1%26count%3d18
Last edited by J. Kent; Oct 15, 2020 at 11:34 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 776
Likes: 246
From: KY
The downsides are that the filters cost more than the stock one does, that you must add the seal to the front of the engine opening to prevent water intrusion, and you have to clean and oil them. Yes, they look cool, when you have your hood open... And once you show off your car a few times to friends the only person that will see them is you and your mechanic.
Truthfully, the car was designed with the stock air box and is meant to perform well with it. Chevy probably knew they could design a true CAI that may have made it run better but for whatever reason they chose not to. Maybe cost, lack of design time, complexity, supplier capability and capacity, maybe it really doesn’t do anything markedly without also using a bigger throttle body.
It is also true that engine designers make your car run 190-230 degrees so that it lasts but they would actually like to have it run hotter as it is more efficient but won’t last as long.
The important thing is “Do what you want to”. It’s your car so make it “your” car and if that is a cool CAI and you like it who cares what other people thing. “Walk your own walk” as they say on the trail.
Truthfully, the car was designed with the stock air box and is meant to perform well with it. Chevy probably knew they could design a true CAI that may have made it run better but for whatever reason they chose not to. Maybe cost, lack of design time, complexity, supplier capability and capacity, maybe it really doesn’t do anything markedly without also using a bigger throttle body.
It is also true that engine designers make your car run 190-230 degrees so that it lasts but they would actually like to have it run hotter as it is more efficient but won’t last as long.
The important thing is “Do what you want to”. It’s your car so make it “your” car and if that is a cool CAI and you like it who cares what other people thing. “Walk your own walk” as they say on the trail.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Rotonda West, Florida
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I had one like that before my Veraram, day and night difference. Veraram wont show on the dyno but nothing performs like it.
Last edited by Antz97znj; Oct 15, 2020 at 04:59 PM.
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Better is better.
Not groundbreaking but most aftermarket intakes (air intakes really) will allow more air in.
Now, will that knock your socks off? Nope. But......what else do we have to do :-)
Get what you like the look of......be happy..... its all good :-)
Not groundbreaking but most aftermarket intakes (air intakes really) will allow more air in.
Now, will that knock your socks off? Nope. But......what else do we have to do :-)
Get what you like the look of......be happy..... its all good :-)
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Melting Slicks
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From: Northville, MI
The dual cone type air cleaners may actually loose a few HP than a stock one. When more air is entering the MAF than its opening it actually slows down the velocity of the air and the MAF sends the info to the PCM which adjusts the spark, fuel, etc for the engine. The only way to gain a few HP is to use cooler, more dense, air such as ambient temperature vs heated engine air. In the early days of the C5 there were several Corvette engineers who were road racers and they convinced the SCCA to allow an aftermarket Air Cleaner to be used in the T-1 class. They almost all went with the Blackwing because it was the best filter available at that time. When the SCCA opened up the restrictions, they all went to an outside air system--removed the front license plate, cut out the opening and piped it to the air filter and to the MAF. They made about 8-9 flywheel hp and started to beat the rest of the class. Eventually everyone followed.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,420
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From: CSRA, SC
The dual cone type air cleaners may actually loose a few HP than a stock one. When more air is entering the MAF than its opening it actually slows down the velocity of the air and the MAF sends the info to the PCM which adjusts the spark, fuel, etc for the engine. The only way to gain a few HP is to use cooler, more dense, air such as ambient temperature vs heated engine air. In the early days of the C5 there were several Corvette engineers who were road racers and they convinced the SCCA to allow an aftermarket Air Cleaner to be used in the T-1 class. They almost all went with the Blackwing because it was the best filter available at that time. When the SCCA opened up the restrictions, they all went to an outside air system--removed the front license plate, cut out the opening and piped it to the air filter and to the MAF. They made about 8-9 flywheel hp and started to beat the rest of the class. Eventually everyone followed.
Last edited by oharal; Oct 16, 2020 at 09:06 AM.
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A good, non-cold air intake is a Blackwing. Had it on my last two C5s and it works well filtering the air and looks good to boot.