cold air intake???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Ill
cold air intake???
I have an 08 vert,considering a cold air intake...what kind of results or improvements should I expect, and any recommendations on brand??
Vararam Snake-charmer,K&N,or others...any help would be appreciated
Vararam Snake-charmer,K&N,or others...any help would be appreciated
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 0
From: DFW TX
the stock air intake on 2008 and newer LS3 vettes is pretty well designed and flows almost as well as an aftermarlet CAI. You can shell out 350 - 500 bones on a good aftermarket unit but the improvement will be negligible. 
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
The results won't be dramatic but the benefits of going to a true, bottom-feeding cold air intake are undeniable...sucking-in cooler air does help. On its own don't expect miracles. I look at a CAI in the context of it being one component in your overall modification plan.
There are several well respected and popular brands. Vararam is a popular intake. I prefer the Lingenfelter high-flow intake.
As with any mod, there are pros and cons. Not only are there warranty considerations but you will have to be especially cautious when driving through deep standing water. The owner’s manual cautions against driving through deep standing water with the stock intake but a bottom-feeding CAI will make your car even more susceptible to ingesting water and risking hydrolock. My LPE intake handles heavy rain without a problem but I avoid fording any streams.
There are several well respected and popular brands. Vararam is a popular intake. I prefer the Lingenfelter high-flow intake.
As with any mod, there are pros and cons. Not only are there warranty considerations but you will have to be especially cautious when driving through deep standing water. The owner’s manual cautions against driving through deep standing water with the stock intake but a bottom-feeding CAI will make your car even more susceptible to ingesting water and risking hydrolock. My LPE intake handles heavy rain without a problem but I avoid fording any streams.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Cold air Intake
I like the K&N air charger,more HP & i gained about 3 mpg & you do not have to worry about WATER plus K&N has been around for a long long Time & they do guarantee that you will get the HP that they say.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,836
Likes: 9
From: Rushsylvania Ohio
I keep saying over and over that the stock 08/09 air filter intake is the same as what is used on the 505 hp Z06. That makes it good enough for me. Much better mods you can spend your money on for what they are getting for these things.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Rochester New York
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
The stock LS3 intake is an excellent piece, except for one problem. It does not take in cold air. You can do the free mod by propping the radiator shroud open and that helps some. Then you can put on a cover to segregate the engine air from the air coming in through the propped open shroud.
It's my opinion that the aftermarket inlets are ONLY better because of cold air, not due to lower pressure drops. But cold air is worth a lot. If you lower your inlet air by only 30 degrees, you will pick up approximately 18 hp.
It's my opinion that the aftermarket inlets are ONLY better because of cold air, not due to lower pressure drops. But cold air is worth a lot. If you lower your inlet air by only 30 degrees, you will pick up approximately 18 hp.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Kuwait
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
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From: Makena, Maui & NM
The stock LS3 intake is an excellent piece, except for one problem. It does not take in cold air. You can do the free mod by propping the radiator shroud open and that helps some. Then you can put on a cover to segregate the engine air from the air coming in through the propped open shroud.
It's my opinion that the aftermarket inlets are ONLY better because of cold air, not due to lower pressure drops. But cold air is worth a lot. If you lower your inlet air by only 30 degrees, you will pick up approximately 18 hp.
It's my opinion that the aftermarket inlets are ONLY better because of cold air, not due to lower pressure drops. But cold air is worth a lot. If you lower your inlet air by only 30 degrees, you will pick up approximately 18 hp.
Really? I never saw a guarantee on the Vararam web site that you will get "guaranteed .30 in the quarter mile". 
Do you get double your money back if you only pick up one or two tenths?
How do you know what hp you pick up from the VR when it cannot be measured on a dyno?
Last edited by siffert; Feb 12, 2009 at 11:36 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 2
The stock LS3 intake is an excellent piece, except for one problem. It does not take in cold air. You can do the free mod by propping the radiator shroud open and that helps some. Then you can put on a cover to segregate the engine air from the air coming in through the propped open shroud.
It's my opinion that the aftermarket inlets are ONLY better because of cold air, not due to lower pressure drops. But cold air is worth a lot. If you lower your inlet air by only 30 degrees, you will pick up approximately 18 hp.
It's my opinion that the aftermarket inlets are ONLY better because of cold air, not due to lower pressure drops. But cold air is worth a lot. If you lower your inlet air by only 30 degrees, you will pick up approximately 18 hp.
In stock form, the PCM starts pulling timing at 86 degrees Inlet Air Temp.. If you are not going to do more mods, ie. headers/cam..The stock filter assy will be fine if you get cooler air to it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,714
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From: Providence RI
Thru on a VARARAM and this was a difference you could feel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Rochester New York