CAI Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Lake Worth Florida
CAI Question
I was taking to a friend who is a mechanic. He is not a racing mechanic, but he does know how to fix engines.
I was telling him that I was looking for a CAI, Halltech or maybe Vararam. He made a comment that I would not really see much if any improvement. Here's his logic;
1. Aftermarket intakes can help most cars. Unlike most cars, the factory system on the Corvette is already extremely efficient. The engine will only suck in so much air and he doesn't think these systems flow $500+ better then the stock system.
2. Since most of the after market systems are located in the same location as stock or close to it, you are not really getting any colder air then with stock and therefore the air would not be any denser.
3. Some of the filters used on aftermarket system actually don't filter all that well and you could actually be doing harm to the engine.
I don't know enough about all the CAI's out there, but my friend's logic seems to make sense.
My questions are, will I see any real improvements by just installing an aftermarket CAI, and which one is "best". I know best is subjective, but I value the opinons on the forum.
I was telling him that I was looking for a CAI, Halltech or maybe Vararam. He made a comment that I would not really see much if any improvement. Here's his logic;
1. Aftermarket intakes can help most cars. Unlike most cars, the factory system on the Corvette is already extremely efficient. The engine will only suck in so much air and he doesn't think these systems flow $500+ better then the stock system.
2. Since most of the after market systems are located in the same location as stock or close to it, you are not really getting any colder air then with stock and therefore the air would not be any denser.
3. Some of the filters used on aftermarket system actually don't filter all that well and you could actually be doing harm to the engine.
I don't know enough about all the CAI's out there, but my friend's logic seems to make sense.
My questions are, will I see any real improvements by just installing an aftermarket CAI, and which one is "best". I know best is subjective, but I value the opinons on the forum.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 3
From: Penn Valley California
The cold air systems like the Vortex Rammer and the Vararam have solid records of increasing horsepower. It is not always apparent on a dyno,but you can feel it seat of the pants on the road manifested as increased throttle response and drivability. It would be similar to driving your car on a cool clear Autumn morning with fairly high humidity or driving your motorcycle in the rain. Dragstrip stats show a definite performance gain on the ram air style cold air systems. I love mine and wouldn't go back!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
I was taking to a friend who is a mechanic. He is not a racing mechanic, but he does know how to fix engines.
I was telling him that I was looking for a CAI, Halltech or maybe Vararam. He made a comment that I would not really see much if any improvement. Here's his logic;
1. Aftermarket intakes can help most cars. Unlike most cars, the factory system on the Corvette is already extremely efficient. The engine will only suck in so much air and he doesn't think these systems flow $500+ better then the stock system.
2. Since most of the after market systems are located in the same location as stock or close to it, you are not really getting any colder air then with stock and therefore the air would not be any denser.
3. Some of the filters used on aftermarket system actually don't filter all that well and you could actually be doing harm to the engine.
I don't know enough about all the CAI's out there, but my friend's logic seems to make sense.
My questions are, will I see any real improvements by just installing an aftermarket CAI, and which one is "best". I know best is subjective, but I value the opinons on the forum.
I was telling him that I was looking for a CAI, Halltech or maybe Vararam. He made a comment that I would not really see much if any improvement. Here's his logic;
1. Aftermarket intakes can help most cars. Unlike most cars, the factory system on the Corvette is already extremely efficient. The engine will only suck in so much air and he doesn't think these systems flow $500+ better then the stock system.
2. Since most of the after market systems are located in the same location as stock or close to it, you are not really getting any colder air then with stock and therefore the air would not be any denser.
3. Some of the filters used on aftermarket system actually don't filter all that well and you could actually be doing harm to the engine.
I don't know enough about all the CAI's out there, but my friend's logic seems to make sense.
My questions are, will I see any real improvements by just installing an aftermarket CAI, and which one is "best". I know best is subjective, but I value the opinons on the forum.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 873
From: Bay Area CA
The stock LS3 filter is a good filter. What it lacks is cold air. Their are several methods of getting cold air for the stock LS3 filter, i.e. air scoops, spacing the bottom of the radiator shroud with toggle bolts or just cut two open slots at the bottom ends of the shroud. The last method is Jim Halls of "Halltech" which is designed for "Killer Bee Filter" and "Beehive shroud," but the cut outs can be used with the stock LS3 filter. Cold air intakes help keep the IAT's down which prevents the ECM from pulling timing back. Once the intake air reaches 86 degrees F, the ECM starts to pull timing back. It's not so much what you gain, but what CAI do to prevent from losing hp. CAI will also improve throttle response. Look for 10 - 15 hp. gains with stock tune.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; Mar 10, 2009 at 10:16 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,083
Likes: 1,593
From: Edmond Oklahoma
LSX engines like cool air from outside the hot engine compartment. The cooler the air the denser the fuel charge. Every racer tries to get the intake air as cool as possable. Just look at any professional race car. CAI's won't show much on the dyno but on the track they do make horsepower and make the rest of the symphony sound better. Just proven race experience. 
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Surgeon General never said anything about smokin' tires! Pigeon Forge, Tn.
IMO it won't make a difference unless you go with a system that pulls cold air in from outside the engine compartment. Even if it doesn't get more air flow, (which it will) it will be cooler air than what you are sucking in your engine bay.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 4
From: LINCOLN RI - 2010 GS Coupe - 2007 Coupe
To those of you who say "no difference" 
While I agree that there are a lot of CAI systems that are posers, there are a few out there that actually do pull in cold air from outside the engine compartment.
This does result in better throtle response when the car is moving.
The reason it dosen't show up on the dyno is because the car is stationary. Some place a blower or a high powered fan in front of the car to simulate the car moving to get a more acurate measurement of HP gains.
No complaints with my Vararam.
While I agree that there are a lot of CAI systems that are posers, there are a few out there that actually do pull in cold air from outside the engine compartment.
This does result in better throtle response when the car is moving.
The reason it dosen't show up on the dyno is because the car is stationary. Some place a blower or a high powered fan in front of the car to simulate the car moving to get a more acurate measurement of HP gains.
No complaints with my Vararam.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 4
From: LINCOLN RI - 2010 GS Coupe - 2007 Coupe
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,332
Likes: 0
From: Kuwait
The cold air systems like the Vortex Rammer and the Vararam have solid records of increasing horsepower. It is not always apparent on a dyno,but you can feel it seat of the pants on the road manifested as increased throttle response and drivability. It would be similar to driving your car on a cool clear Autumn morning with fairly high humidity or driving your motorcycle in the rain. Dragstrip stats show a definite performance gain on the ram air style cold air systems. I love mine and wouldn't go back!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
1. Aftermarket intakes can help most cars. Unlike most cars, the factory system on the Corvette is already extremely efficient. The engine will only suck in so much air and he doesn't think these systems flow $500+ better then the stock system.
2. Since most of the after market systems are located in the same location as stock or close to it, you are not really getting any colder air then with stock and therefore the air would not be any denser.
3. Some of the filters used on aftermarket system actually don't filter all that well and you could actually be doing harm to the engine.
2. Since most of the after market systems are located in the same location as stock or close to it, you are not really getting any colder air then with stock and therefore the air would not be any denser.
3. Some of the filters used on aftermarket system actually don't filter all that well and you could actually be doing harm to the engine.
There is some advantage to switching out the OEM paper filter which won't do well if ever wet. Also, cutting the shroud to install the bottom-feeder style air intakes is a really bad idea IMO. All it takes is coming 'round a corner an hitting an unexpected pool of water to lock up an engine.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,373
Likes: 6
From: Chatsworth California
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
The term CAI is supposed to stand for COLD AIR INTAKE but some of the aftermarket Manufacturers and Retailers use the term CAI for any filter/filter box change. Just an "Advertizing" game by the sellers hoping that the buyers ignorance will result in a sale of a filter and filter box.
The stock filter/filter box is NOT a CAI and any replacement that doesn't use a cut shroud or ducting to allow Fresh air to the filter is not a CAI. The aftermarket filter/filter box may allow less restrictive air flow and use a cleanable filter but it is NOT a CAI regardless of the advertizing.
The stock filter/filter box is NOT a CAI and any replacement that doesn't use a cut shroud or ducting to allow Fresh air to the filter is not a CAI. The aftermarket filter/filter box may allow less restrictive air flow and use a cleanable filter but it is NOT a CAI regardless of the advertizing.