Any felt difference after CAI mod
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 547
From: Orlando & Flagler Beach FL
Any felt difference after CAI mod
Im aware most folks do the CAI mod while adding others at the same time. My question is just for folks that add the CAI as a stand alone mod - did you feel any difference before & after?
Thanks
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 232
From: Youngstown Ohio
For me I feel that throttle response improved a bit, fells a bit quicker, more responsive. Nothing dramatic just better, I have a Calloway Honker btw.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 7
From: Sandy Ego Ca.
SOTP dyno is good for these small changes.. Hp wise... less that what the Mfg advertises
Bottom line.. find one used Vs new.. or search out the "zip tie mod" and try that.. its about the same.. better throttle responce "seems peppier" nothing drastic
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
That statment is, quite simply, nonsense.
You need a certain amount of air to drive the car at highway speed. If you have less restriction in the air cleaner, or a bit cooler air going into the engine, you will have to close the throttle body a bit more to get the same airflow.
If the throttle isn't wide open, the amount of air cleaner restriction and air temp is meaningless. (assuming that the air going into the engine isn't really hot, which, it isn't since the stock air inlet is ahead of the radiator).
If you think you got better highway mileage, it was just wishful thinking, a tailwind, or a flatter piece of highway. It has nothing to do with the inlet, air cleaner or the restriction. If you think it was better, you are just kidding yourself.
You need a certain amount of air to drive the car at highway speed. If you have less restriction in the air cleaner, or a bit cooler air going into the engine, you will have to close the throttle body a bit more to get the same airflow.
If the throttle isn't wide open, the amount of air cleaner restriction and air temp is meaningless. (assuming that the air going into the engine isn't really hot, which, it isn't since the stock air inlet is ahead of the radiator).
If you think you got better highway mileage, it was just wishful thinking, a tailwind, or a flatter piece of highway. It has nothing to do with the inlet, air cleaner or the restriction. If you think it was better, you are just kidding yourself.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 103
Likes: 4
From: Galt CA
Vararam
installing a vararam with the power duct was one of the first mods I made to my car and I could definitely tell a difference. The car was More responsive and pulled harder through the gears. Was it a mind blowing difference?..No but it does make a difference especially if you install other mods I have been racing my whole life so I am not impresses by all of the claims manufacturers make on there products until I see for myself but if you read the posts on this site you will see that most people say they can feel a difference with the Vararam
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
The wallet is usually a lot lighter. Less weight is almost as good as more horsepower. Most owners equate more intake noise with more power, which isn't necessarily accurate... 
Last edited by hotwheels57; Feb 2, 2011 at 05:53 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 103
Likes: 4
From: Galt CA
C.a.i
I agree but some C.A.I have been proven to work by 1/4 mile times before and after installation. Forum members have seen 1/4 mile times reduced by up to 3 tenths usually a tenth or two and an M.P.H or two by installing the Vararam unless they are all exaggerating which I doubt. The stock C5 air box leaves a lot to be desired . The C5 air box was modified to support the LS6 intake needs I doubt G.M changed it for no reason. Also if you look at the C5 it is basically drawing in hot air from the engine compartment especially at lower speeds. The vararam brings in fresh air from the front to the vehicle fresh pressurized air helps make horsepower. Like I said it's not like you just did a heads and cam package but in my opinion it's worth doing especially if you are going to do further upgrades I think I got the whole system with the power duct for 330 dollars...just my two cents
Last edited by R CRYSIS; Feb 2, 2011 at 06:29 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: New Bern N.C.
Before you go out and buy a CAI,I took the stock air box and drilled 1" holes with a hole saw.I drilled about 20 holes in the cover,I agree the increased air flow will only help at FULL throttle.Also added a smooth couple before the throttle body.Had the stock engine tuned,and it turned 325 RWHP.I could fell the difference at full throttle after the air box mod.My next step will be headers and exhaust.Ed
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: ST. LOUIS MO
installing a vararam with the power duct was one of the first mods I made to my car and I could definitely tell a difference. The car was More responsive and pulled harder through the gears. Was it a mind blowing difference?..No but it does make a difference especially if you install other mods I have been racing my whole life so I am not impresses by all of the claims manufacturers make on there products until I see for myself but if you read the posts on this site you will see that most people say they can feel a difference with the Vararam
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville Florida
That statment is, quite simply, nonsense.
You need a certain amount of air to drive the car at highway speed. If you have less restriction in the air cleaner, or a bit cooler air going into the engine, you will have to close the throttle body a bit more to get the same airflow.
If the throttle isn't wide open, the amount of air cleaner restriction and air temp is meaningless. (assuming that the air going into the engine isn't really hot, which, it isn't since the stock air inlet is ahead of the radiator).
If you think you got better highway mileage, it was just wishful thinking, a tailwind, or a flatter piece of highway. It has nothing to do with the inlet, air cleaner or the restriction. If you think it was better, you are just kidding yourself.
You need a certain amount of air to drive the car at highway speed. If you have less restriction in the air cleaner, or a bit cooler air going into the engine, you will have to close the throttle body a bit more to get the same airflow.
If the throttle isn't wide open, the amount of air cleaner restriction and air temp is meaningless. (assuming that the air going into the engine isn't really hot, which, it isn't since the stock air inlet is ahead of the radiator).
If you think you got better highway mileage, it was just wishful thinking, a tailwind, or a flatter piece of highway. It has nothing to do with the inlet, air cleaner or the restriction. If you think it was better, you are just kidding yourself.
I was just sharing my experience. I drive from North Florida to South Carolina once a month and I have been doing that for 3 years. Prior to installing the CAI the DIC would display an average around 28 mpg, after the install the DIC displayed 30. I doubt I actually picked up 2mpg, if any at all.....just passing on an observation.
I did not buy it to get better gas mileage, I bought for the 140 rwhp I picked up after I bolted it on. < --- Wishful thinking and kidding myself again.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville Florida
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
I went from a blackwing to a Vararam and my ET dropped from consistant 13.16's to consistant 12.92's.My MPG did drop a couple of MPG though.Throttle response was crisper and the drop in MPG may have been because it felt better to get on it!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Baldwin Park Ca
i just installed the K&N fipk II on a c5 2002. I was surprised that i felt a difference in throttle response was not expecting any. and it does sound nicer hearing the air sucked in lol. top end feel it pick up a bit but it may just be the sound lol.
overall it looks good and i know it will give me more power as i go modding other things exhaust, tune, ect
overall it looks good and i know it will give me more power as i go modding other things exhaust, tune, ect
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 4
From: Columbia SC
If you want most if not all of whatever performance improvement a cold air intake brings without spending much if any $, do this to your Coupe or Convertible. Remove the fog light housings and cut slots in the upper (horizontal) section, towards the center of the car. Use common sense in choosing the location/size of the slots and make sure you are not weakening or compromising any mounting tabs, etc. This mod is totally invisible from looking at the car; air at speed flows into the fog light housing recess, looks for a place to escape, and goes out the slots up into the airbox area. Yeah, there are still some obstructions but your airbox will get pretty much all the ambient air it can handle. Finish off by buying a used or new Z06 airbox cover--used are very cheap--and you've got cold air benefits without having to pay a lot of money(on some cold air systems) or struggle with crappy parts quality/fitment(on others).
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 293
Likes: 8
From: South Bend IN
You're brain will tell you all kinds of crazy things after you have just spent $500. Not saying they don't work, just saying you can't really feel a CAI in the seat of the pants. I bought my Callaway Honker used. There's no way that little horse power is worth that much money (new cost), IMHO.