Intake Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 96
From: Asheville NC
Intake Question
I'm getting a VMAX ported throttle body and was thinking that now is a good time to make any CAI changes. I currently have a stock intake with an oiless, less restrictive filter. I can get an LS7 intake cheaply and cut the plastic off the top so more of the filter shows? Or I was thinking of buying a raid. I like the Haltech best but they are close to 500.00 and the Vararram requires cutting the readiator shroud which I don't want to do since I still have a warranty. Kinda hard to hide that. Would I gain anything with an aftermarket CAI or should I just keep what I have?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
Keep what you have if you're not willing to cut the shroud.The whole point of "CAI" is cold air induction.If you're not introducing cooler outside air into the area,you defeat the purpose.Just because something is named "CAI" doesn't mean it is. Replacing one big filter for another will not gain you anything worth 500 bucks!If it did,GM would have done it.Your OEM is good for 436 HP,The Z06 filter is good for 505,the ZR1 is good for 638 hp.What more do you need?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Keep what you have if you're not willing to cut the shroud.The whole point of "CAI" is cold air induction.If you're not introducing cooler outside air into the area,you defeat the purpose.Just because something is named "CAI" doesn't mean it is. Replacing one big filter for another will not gain you anything worth 500 bucks!If it did,GM would have done it.Your OEM is good for 436 HP,The Z06 filter is good for 505,the ZR1 is good for 638 hp.What more do you need?
Cutting the filter housing to expose more filter is a really bad idea too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 329
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Keep what you have if you're not willing to cut the shroud.The whole point of "CAI" is cold air induction.If you're not introducing cooler outside air into the area,you defeat the purpose.Just because something is named "CAI" doesn't mean it is. Replacing one big filter for another will not gain you anything worth 500 bucks!If it did,GM would have done it.Your OEM is good for 436 HP,The Z06 filter is good for 505,the ZR1 is good for 638 hp.What more do you need?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 96
From: Asheville NC
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 329
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
this intake seems promising i wont be removing my carbon halltech to install it but if i was looking to buy a intake i think i would certainly give this a try.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 2
From: Florida
I think after mkt filter in oem box is gonna be pretty close to after mkt setups.
If you just want a few extra hp, the aftermkt filter in the oem box is gonna give you a fair amount.
My attack blue filter in the oem box, with dynotune made 386rrwhp.
I really doubt an expensive aftermkt setup will make that much more hp.
Dollar for dollar, does the extra $400 produce enough extra hp vs your setup to be a good expense ?
My attack blue filter in the oem box, with dynotune made 386rrwhp.
I really doubt an expensive aftermkt setup will make that much more hp.
Dollar for dollar, does the extra $400 produce enough extra hp vs your setup to be a good expense ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 329
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
If you just want a few extra hp, the aftermkt filter in the oem box is gonna give you a fair amount.
My attack blue filter in the oem box, with dynotune made 386rrwhp.
I really doubt an expensive aftermkt setup will make that much more hp.
Dollar for dollar, does the extra $400 produce enough extra hp vs your setup to be a good expense ?
My attack blue filter in the oem box, with dynotune made 386rrwhp.
I really doubt an expensive aftermkt setup will make that much more hp.
Dollar for dollar, does the extra $400 produce enough extra hp vs your setup to be a good expense ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 234
From: Colorado
Keep what you have if you're not willing to cut the shroud.The whole point of "CAI" is cold air induction.If you're not introducing cooler outside air into the area,you defeat the purpose.Just because something is named "CAI" doesn't mean it is. Replacing one big filter for another will not gain you anything worth 500 bucks!If it did,GM would have done it.Your OEM is good for 436 HP,The Z06 filter is good for 505,the ZR1 is good for 638 hp.What more do you need?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 44
From: If you wanna live life on your own terms, you gotta be willing to crash and burn Florida
I'm buying the callaway honker for my 05 it looks like the same one featured in the video, but obviously a different brand.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
They are very similar, but.... the LS7 has no silencer chamber attached to the side like the LS3 does. It's possible to cut off the silencer and seal the hole, but it makes zero difference in performance.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
If you just want a few extra hp, the aftermkt filter in the oem box is gonna give you a fair amount.
My attack blue filter in the oem box, with dynotune made 386rrwhp.
I really doubt an expensive aftermkt setup will make that much more hp.
Dollar for dollar, does the extra $400 produce enough extra hp vs your setup to be a good expense ?
My attack blue filter in the oem box, with dynotune made 386rrwhp.
I really doubt an expensive aftermkt setup will make that much more hp.
Dollar for dollar, does the extra $400 produce enough extra hp vs your setup to be a good expense ?
Prop open the shroud to the stock intake and you pick up excellent power from only outside air to the filter. I did it on my '06--although replaced the pos intake with an Aircharger. Did it on the '13 with the stock intake which is excellent. Cold air isn't any colder on any CAI than what comes through the grill with the shroud open.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,441
Likes: 3,926
From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I did a lot of searching on here about his, and basically what it boils down to is that the stock LS3 intake is already VERY good, and you really aren't likely to gain much from an air intake. If you want to upgrade, get an LS9 air filter (although the 12 and 13 models came with these stock). You could also do the LS7 intake, but it's pretty much just for looks (same as an LS3 without the baffle, which is just there to quite it down a little).
Personally, I'd save the money from the ported throttle body and air intake, and put it towards a cam. You can get a cam package installed for about $2K, and will get a LOT more performance from that.
Personally, I'd save the money from the ported throttle body and air intake, and put it towards a cam. You can get a cam package installed for about $2K, and will get a LOT more performance from that.