Why a CAI
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 63
From: Matamata, NZ
Why a CAI
All the posts about increasing HP say to put in a CAI, but my question is why? it places the air filter in the same place as the original so why is it better? I can understand changing from a paper to a K&N.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
The other knockoffs that do not actually pull cold air do nothing ... if you have an LS3 and are not doing a VARARAM or other TRUE cold air intake ... keep your stock intake and don't waste your money on the imposters
Dave
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 128
Likes: 20
From: Panama City FL
I think there's more to it than just inlet location. An increase in air flow as well as the management of that air is crucial, particularly around the MAF sensor and into the throttle body. As you can imagine, the amount of improvement is proportional to how well or poor the factory unit performs, as it is with exhaust systems, intakes, heads, etc.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 63
From: Matamata, NZ
Cold air intakes like a VARARAM that truly bring in air from outside ( the Vararam pulls cold air from just under the bumper in the front ) instead of breathing the hot under the hood air thereby lowering IAT ( Intake Air Temp) which in turn keeps your car from pulling timing especially when it is extremely hot out
The other knockoffs that do not actually pull cold air do nothing ... if you have an LS3 and are not doing a VARARAM or other TRUE cold air intake ... keep your stock intake and don't waste your money on the imposters
Dave
The other knockoffs that do not actually pull cold air do nothing ... if you have an LS3 and are not doing a VARARAM or other TRUE cold air intake ... keep your stock intake and don't waste your money on the imposters
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,984
Likes: 380
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I like K&N filters for flow and reuse. They can pick up a couple of horsepower on motorcycles. Doubtful it will make any power difference in a stock LS3. The reuse factor makes sense.
Some of the folks here that have mod'd their cars will tell you that an air intake mod won't make any difference until you cam and header it. I have no first hand experience.
Some of the folks here that have mod'd their cars will tell you that an air intake mod won't make any difference until you cam and header it. I have no first hand experience.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I like K&N filters for flow and reuse. They can pick up a couple of horsepower on motorcycles. Doubtful it will make any power difference in a stock LS3. The reuse factor makes sense.
Some of the folks here that have mod'd their cars will tell you that an air intake mod won't make any difference until you cam and header it. I have no first hand experience.
Some of the folks here that have mod'd their cars will tell you that an air intake mod won't make any difference until you cam and header it. I have no first hand experience.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I think there's more to it than just inlet location. An increase in air flow as well as the management of that air is crucial, particularly around the MAF sensor and into the throttle body. As you can imagine, the amount of improvement is proportional to how well or poor the factory unit performs, as it is with exhaust systems, intakes, heads, etc.
The LS3 flows just find the key here is the cooler air being added.
Also the maf sensor is very finicky on air flow changes.
It is not uncommon to experience some surging however slight.
Last edited by Boomer111; Dec 13, 2016 at 04:56 PM.
if it flows more air it flows more dirt into your engine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 565
From: Mesquite NV
I like and have been using K&N for decades on my vehicles, both filters and CAI systems. I have NEVER had a problem and like their 'reusability'. As far as getting anymore/less 'dirt' in the engine, I would like to see one factual piece of proof of this when used properly (i.e. not over oiled). I have never had any engine issues with any of the vehicles I've used them on; some of these vehicles have had in excess 150K miles on them with the K&N filters/CAI when I sold them in great shape. 
Last edited by Welker1; Dec 13, 2016 at 11:19 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,984
Likes: 380
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I sold my Camaro with 165k miles on it with a K&N prochrager kit, the engine was strong and didn't burn oil.
I have three bikes with K&N filters, 80K, 62K and 34K miles respectively and I haven't seen any detrimental effects.
Now do you have any evidence to the contrary or is this supposition? And by your logic as the filter gets dirtier it filters more dirt.
I have three bikes with K&N filters, 80K, 62K and 34K miles respectively and I haven't seen any detrimental effects.
Now do you have any evidence to the contrary or is this supposition? And by your logic as the filter gets dirtier it filters more dirt.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 874
From: Bay Area CA
As "Dcasole" already mentioned, a true CAI brings in ambient air preventing engine temps from entering the air intake which will pull timing.
K&N filter media may vary depending on the aftermarket CAI manufacturer's required specs. In other words, CAI brand "X" with a K&N filter may have different media requirements than CAI brand "Y".
K&N filter media may vary depending on the aftermarket CAI manufacturer's required specs. In other words, CAI brand "X" with a K&N filter may have different media requirements than CAI brand "Y".
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,590
Likes: 1,669
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
Poor man's CAI that my tuner says is just as effective as the $300 model.
6 bucks.
1) pry open bottom of shroud and add pvc pipe and longer bolts to maintain gap.
2) fabricate a scoop to mount there to force air into gap. Don't laugh at my black office trash can scoop....you can't see it.
3) cut a windshield sunscreen to cover the filter box area to separate engine compartment heat from scooped up air.
4) wrap a left-over piece of sunscreen around the intake tube at the MAF. Insulates intake air all the way to the throttle body.
6 bucks.
1) pry open bottom of shroud and add pvc pipe and longer bolts to maintain gap.
2) fabricate a scoop to mount there to force air into gap. Don't laugh at my black office trash can scoop....you can't see it.
3) cut a windshield sunscreen to cover the filter box area to separate engine compartment heat from scooped up air.
4) wrap a left-over piece of sunscreen around the intake tube at the MAF. Insulates intake air all the way to the throttle body.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Dave
Last edited by Dcasole; Dec 13, 2016 at 07:56 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 24,035
Likes: 2,342
From: Gilbert AZ
Ohh, don't get me wrong, air temps effect timing, but calling an air intake system a cold air intake is a bit of a stretch. The stock intake, haltech, etc etc etc all have similar IATs. There is other reasons besides IATs to do an aftermarket intake. So look at it as an intake system, not a "cold air" intake.