Cold Air Intakes on EBAY
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Cold Air Intakes on EBAY
Has anyone purchased the cold air intakes I see all day on ebay. They are only 70 dollars shipped. Can I expect the same HP gains as a K and N system which virtually looks exactly the same minus the aluminum housing instead of the plastic piping.
Also is the air filter element they use comparable to a company like k&n
Also is the air filter element they use comparable to a company like k&n
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
I dont believe that moto "you get what you pay for" when it comes to the C5. So many companies mark up the price of their stuff just because it is a corvette. You can get a cold air intake for an import for twenty bucks which is virtually the same thing.
I might just make my own system.......
I might just make my own system.......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
I'd love to see someone, who is not the vendor, do Dyno Testing with only changing the air filter stystems on a stock engine setup. I suspect that little or no increase will be seen with any of them. Most tests I've seen include a number of other changes like headers, etc. in addition to the filter system. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 3
From: Gilbert, AZ, USA
sxe60, years ago I dyno'd the Vortex before/after (same day, did the stock pulls, installed the intake there in the parking lot, did the after pulls) and I gained 8hp and 10tq with no relearn. Gains would be higher with relearn time, that's why my after pulls got more and more power. Completely stock car otherwise.
Sam
Sam
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Always Shiftin'
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I posted the same type question about 2 months ago and also did some asking around here at work and here is my take on these low cost systems:
You ARE actually "getting what you pay for"! Believe it or not, one of the higher cost components of these systems is the filter element. All filters are not created equal. Filtration efficiency and longetivity vary greatly between the "good" and the "bad". K&N is one of the best filters available and that is why you usually pay a premium for their products!
The one thing that you do not want to do is to reduce your filtration performance at the expense of improved air flow. Doing dyno testing will not provide you with this information. You could probably put chicken wire over a piece of tubing, hook it up to your intake system and get decent dyno numbers, but that wouldn't be very smart!!
I came to the conclusion that the induction system is a very critical component to the overall "well-being" AND performance of our Corvettes and should be treated as such! I will be purchasing a proven NAME BRAND system for my '99!
You ARE actually "getting what you pay for"! Believe it or not, one of the higher cost components of these systems is the filter element. All filters are not created equal. Filtration efficiency and longetivity vary greatly between the "good" and the "bad". K&N is one of the best filters available and that is why you usually pay a premium for their products!
The one thing that you do not want to do is to reduce your filtration performance at the expense of improved air flow. Doing dyno testing will not provide you with this information. You could probably put chicken wire over a piece of tubing, hook it up to your intake system and get decent dyno numbers, but that wouldn't be very smart!!
I came to the conclusion that the induction system is a very critical component to the overall "well-being" AND performance of our Corvettes and should be treated as such! I will be purchasing a proven NAME BRAND system for my '99!
Last edited by MacA1979; Dec 10, 2004 at 09:57 AM. Reason: Never could spell!!!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by Army Vette
I purchased the hardware, but dumped the very poor quality filters and purchased K&N for $50 or so a piece. You still save a couple hundred $$. Gotta go K&N.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
well, no one responded to determining if the intake was the twin-cone design or not.
If this is what's being offered... better read this:
http://www.crossedflags.com/nuke/htm...d19d7427da8aac
If this is what's being offered... better read this:
http://www.crossedflags.com/nuke/htm...d19d7427da8aac
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 336
Likes: 2
From: Austin TX
Best site for K&N - custom fit
http://www.performanceintl.com/
I have purchased 4 filters from these folks - best prices I have seen.
They can also get custom fitted filters.
I have purchased 4 filters from these folks - best prices I have seen.
They can also get custom fitted filters.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
There's a good reason why most aftermarket intake runners are made of plastic (besides possible cost savings). Plastic material insulates the air passageway from hot engine bay temps, wheras aluminum or other types of metal act as radiators, heating up the air that is being drawn in through the filters.
And BTW, this is NOT a cold air system unless you open your fog light covers. Using this system without further mods to bring in cold air will almost guarantee that any increase in HP will be reduced as the engine bay temps rise, in some cases, as much as 10 HP.
And BTW, this is NOT a cold air system unless you open your fog light covers. Using this system without further mods to bring in cold air will almost guarantee that any increase in HP will be reduced as the engine bay temps rise, in some cases, as much as 10 HP.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
These type of air intakes have two basic problems. First is they are using warm air from the engine bay, not cold lower ambiant outside air. The second is the air path is turbulent and the MAF is using firmware looking for a smoother airflow. This usually results in midrange performance loss/hesitation/decel surging. Eventually the PCM will make up for most of the changes but you gain nothing in the exchange.
Most C5 6 speeds will dyno 295-309 rwhp, and with proper tuning, even more. If I were to spend my money, I would opt for the tuning.
Most C5 6 speeds will dyno 295-309 rwhp, and with proper tuning, even more. If I were to spend my money, I would opt for the tuning.