Cai recommendations
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 239
From: Colorado
I like the Halltech MF103 for a few reasons:
1. It uses a Beehive heat shield to reduce engine heat from entering the air intake.
2. It relocates the MAF sensor forward instead of sitting above the radiator hose absorbing heat.
3. Build quality is very good.
4. No tuning required, however you will achieve better results with a custom tune, as with any CAI.
5. Performance above 4k rpm felt like the car pulled a little harder, but no noticeable difference below 4k rpm. With a Diablew custom tune, the whole rpm range improved. I will not get into tuning details, but this is why I believe any time you change the fuel metering on an engine ( CAI, throttle body, headers) a tune is highly recommended to achieve maximum performance.
1. It uses a Beehive heat shield to reduce engine heat from entering the air intake.
2. It relocates the MAF sensor forward instead of sitting above the radiator hose absorbing heat.
3. Build quality is very good.
4. No tuning required, however you will achieve better results with a custom tune, as with any CAI.
5. Performance above 4k rpm felt like the car pulled a little harder, but no noticeable difference below 4k rpm. With a Diablew custom tune, the whole rpm range improved. I will not get into tuning details, but this is why I believe any time you change the fuel metering on an engine ( CAI, throttle body, headers) a tune is highly recommended to achieve maximum performance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 149
From: North Carolina
I had my doubts about CAI's but tried a Vararam with a tune and I can definitely say it provided better throttle response and power. That being said, I decided to go back to stock because I didn't like how it blocked air to the radiator and I didn't like the exposure to water, dirt, etc... I guess the moral of my story is there is a give and take for every mod and you'll just need to decide what works best for you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 82
From: Az
I'm having headers n a Dyno tune done in a week and after Much debate and reading. I decided to stick w the stock setup on my 13' GS . For the 300-500$ price tag of a Cai and most Dont provide any additional power gains I decided I'll put the $ else for a future mod like Fast intake etc where gains are better made
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 22,574
Likes: 1,696
From: South Carolina
Keep it stock, if you have to have another just get the zr1 filter and be happy with the color.
The HP gains on a stock car is all hot air, like the other smart people in this thread are saying.
The ls3 induction is quite good imo.
The HP gains on a stock car is all hot air, like the other smart people in this thread are saying.
The ls3 induction is quite good imo.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 171
From: Missouri
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Unless you're actually pulling in cold air from outside the engine bay, don't waste your money.
I recommend the Vararam or KillerBee. Anything else is no better than stock, as well as letting in far more fine dirt and dust while offering zero gains.
I recommend the Vararam or KillerBee. Anything else is no better than stock, as well as letting in far more fine dirt and dust while offering zero gains.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Track testing with the VaraRam only, no tune, produced several tenths reduction in 1/4 mile times.
If this is the kind of gains you're after, this intake is a good choice. Add headers/exhaust and a tune and the results are much more significant.
This topic has been very thoroughly discussed, repeatedly, on the Forum.
Try a Search, VaraRam/ChuckCOW for some actual 'scientific' results.
My personal experience with VaraRam has been excellent. I've had all 3 versions of their LS2 intake. Very well engineered and manufactured, and their customer service has been great.
If this is the kind of gains you're after, this intake is a good choice. Add headers/exhaust and a tune and the results are much more significant.
This topic has been very thoroughly discussed, repeatedly, on the Forum.
Try a Search, VaraRam/ChuckCOW for some actual 'scientific' results.
My personal experience with VaraRam has been excellent. I've had all 3 versions of their LS2 intake. Very well engineered and manufactured, and their customer service has been great.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 35
From: Kalifornia
Look at the intake you have right now on a GS. It is already a CAI!
Take that money and spend it on a tune and/or a better exhaust (e.g., used Z06 pull-off, maybe headers depending on your state) and you'll see a pop!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 35
From: Kalifornia
Look at the intake you have right now on a GS. It is already a CAI!
Take that money and spend it on a tune and/or a better exhaust (e.g., used Z06 pull-off, maybe headers depending on your state) and you'll see a pop!
Of course, for real power, I'd recommend a hot air intake.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,231
Likes: 451
From: Maryland
A true "CAI" will increase performance by reducing or preventing timing retard from hotter under hood air temps. Also from what I have read in the past every 10 degrees reduction in intake temps will add approx. 1% Hp naturally aspirated. The system (thread) below will not reduce the size of the grill opening or get hit by water like the vararam and most likely at speed may have some pressure build up in that area. I do not have this on my car but from what little I know this would be my pick from the aftermarket. The oem Z06 housing that I converted to a cai, something similar to the below set-up but with not as large of an intake filter area was worth 3 tenths improvement over the stock Z06 intake (best to best). It's your call but if I were to buy something I don't want "BS" and remember: Quality (performance) is long remembered after the price is forgotten.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-p...oductions.html
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; May 31, 2014 at 02:46 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I'm having headers n a Dyno tune done in a week and after Much debate and reading. I decided to stick w the stock setup on my 13' GS . For the 300-500$ price tag of a Cai and most Dont provide any additional power gains I decided I'll put the $ else for a future mod like Fast intake etc where gains are better made
A FAST is a good choice for the LS2, but makes only a small difference on a LS3. It's twice the cost of a CAI to get half the power.
Maybe all you want is more SOTP feeling and a dyno chart for car shows, but if you want more actual performance you'll need a CAI.
It's pretty simple.
Max performance - Vararam
Max filtration - OEM
Anything else is a compromise.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 379
Likes: 4
From: Rochester NY
this has been a good thread for me because I've been struggling to believe intakes do much on these cars.
I am suspecting that when people see gains with just the intake and no tuning that it's the relocation of the sensor tricking the ECU and that you could get the same results as part of a tune and just leaving it in the OEM location. If I'm right, this explains the "gains" the all the manufacturers claim and why it's a slight of hand.
I think the real test of my theory would be to tune a stock car on a dyno and run it. Then revert the ECU back to stock, install an intake run it for numbers again. Then tune it with the intake and run it again. Compare ALL the pulls and see what happened. The tuner would need to be honest enough not to manipulate the tunes to show results he wants.
thoughts?
I am suspecting that when people see gains with just the intake and no tuning that it's the relocation of the sensor tricking the ECU and that you could get the same results as part of a tune and just leaving it in the OEM location. If I'm right, this explains the "gains" the all the manufacturers claim and why it's a slight of hand.
I think the real test of my theory would be to tune a stock car on a dyno and run it. Then revert the ECU back to stock, install an intake run it for numbers again. Then tune it with the intake and run it again. Compare ALL the pulls and see what happened. The tuner would need to be honest enough not to manipulate the tunes to show results he wants.
thoughts?
Last edited by theblue; May 31, 2014 at 10:52 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
For those of you that don't pay attention;
CAI stands for COLD AIR Intake. Changing filters does NOT make it a CAI, introducing fresh air from before the radiator does.
Stock is NOT a CAI
Blackwing is NOT a CAI
K&N is NOT a CAI
Lingenfelter is
Vararam is
Hall is (if you cut the shroud)
and a VERY few others
CAI stands for COLD AIR Intake. Changing filters does NOT make it a CAI, introducing fresh air from before the radiator does.
Stock is NOT a CAI
Blackwing is NOT a CAI
K&N is NOT a CAI
Lingenfelter is
Vararam is
Hall is (if you cut the shroud)
and a VERY few others
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 379
Likes: 4
From: Rochester NY
it's all very debatable since adding ducting to a filter in a stock location is not a CAI either. physically moving the filter to a fender or some other location would be a real CAI.
the stock design is good and does have some ducting to it, plus when you're moving all the heat is back on the firewall
this is why I would like to see a test like the one I proposed done, we can answer this with science.
the stock design is good and does have some ducting to it, plus when you're moving all the heat is back on the firewall
this is why I would like to see a test like the one I proposed done, we can answer this with science.
Last edited by theblue; May 31, 2014 at 11:11 AM.
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 put a Vararam on my C6 and there is a big difference. It's sucking fresh cooler air from the front of the car, how could it not? Install takes about 3 hours, but well worth it.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 22,574
Likes: 1,696
From: South Carolina
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 239
From: Colorado
Cooler IAT means less timing is pulled and that means using more of the HP the car came with. That it improves (adds) HP simply by being cooler is a side benefit. Even if you don't change the intake filter arrangement, a heat shield like the Halltech Beehive or the stand alone advertised here on the forum simply makes sense. The heat from the engine is the big culprit, imo. In combination with getting outside air into the shroud airbox, which is what it is, by modding the Halltech Superbee, I think you get both benefits. This discussion always goes round and round. In the end, you pay your money and make your choice.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 25,105
Likes: 3,156
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Until you have to clean your throttle body due to dirt and grit getting by the filter because of its cheapness of seals material and construction...and the same three hours plus again or more and that you've hacked your shroud so you need a new one to return to stock and it cost about triple what it is worth in materials...otherwise its about 1 tenth as good as Halltech stuff. imo...
Like my Hallteck esp with the way LG did the install to get cold air and no water.
Had a buddy hydrolock and blow a hole in his block running a vararam thru 3in of water on I35 here in TX. Had it towed to LG for a new engine and Hallteck intake.