K&n Cai
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 55
From: PA
St. Jude Donor '21 thru '26
K&n Cai
Has anyone tried a K&N CAI.? If so how does it work, did you see any performance improvements? How does it compare to the Vortex and Varaam. Thanks Leif
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
I just got one for 150 used....I didnt want a vararam because they look like crap and I didnt want a vortex because it was more money than I wanted to pay for an intake setup even though they look really nice.
i havent installed it yet, but with the shroud propped open it scoops up a considerable amount of air for the k&n to take in. If you prop th shroud open ~3inches on both sides it actually form a scooping shape that you can see just by getting down and looking into the grill on the front of the car....is it as good as the vortex or vararam? probably not...is it a lot better than stock? probably.
I'm going to be going to the track this weekend to test the differences (assuming it's open to the public...they may have some big event going on) and will see what I pick up. My car is VERY consistant and very predictable, so I will have a good idea what it gains.
i havent installed it yet, but with the shroud propped open it scoops up a considerable amount of air for the k&n to take in. If you prop th shroud open ~3inches on both sides it actually form a scooping shape that you can see just by getting down and looking into the grill on the front of the car....is it as good as the vortex or vararam? probably not...is it a lot better than stock? probably.
I'm going to be going to the track this weekend to test the differences (assuming it's open to the public...they may have some big event going on) and will see what I pick up. My car is VERY consistant and very predictable, so I will have a good idea what it gains.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
From: The best one
I got great results from a K&N, trapped 119.5mph with CAI only, watch out for K&N haters on this site though. My shroud was propped open.
Actually many of the best bolt on dyno numbers have been had with the K&N and MOST of the fastest Z06 bolt on owners use the K&N intake.
Actually many of the best bolt on dyno numbers have been had with the K&N and MOST of the fastest Z06 bolt on owners use the K&N intake.
Last edited by 11secondGP; Nov 14, 2007 at 05:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
Excuse me,but K+N is not a CAI.They can call it whatever they want,but it's a big air filter that sucks up the hot air under the hood.
If you want a true CAI,you'll need to get a VARARAM,CALLAWAY,LPE or the like.You will also get the added benefit of more power at speed. Proven on the strip in both C5's and C6's.By they way,I've had K+N+SLP big filters,and once I stuck VARARAM on the car,the difference was immediate and undeniable.
If you want a true CAI,you'll need to get a VARARAM,CALLAWAY,LPE or the like.You will also get the added benefit of more power at speed. Proven on the strip in both C5's and C6's.By they way,I've had K+N+SLP big filters,and once I stuck VARARAM on the car,the difference was immediate and undeniable.
Last edited by not08crmanymore; Nov 14, 2007 at 11:01 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
From: The best one
Statements/Claims without evidence to back them up are not helpful. My intake gets cold air, verified by IAT readings, and yes it is a K&N.
I guess most of the fastest Z06 guys are doing the wrong thing using a K&N.
I guess trapping 119mph in an auto with only a K&N CAI is not enough proof.
Based on the Z06 bolt on fastest times, many of the best dyno numbers, and in my own trials, K&N works plain and simple. Measure your IATs and you will see the truth. My TB is ice cold after my runs and regular driving...
I guess most of the fastest Z06 guys are doing the wrong thing using a K&N.
I guess trapping 119mph in an auto with only a K&N CAI is not enough proof.
Based on the Z06 bolt on fastest times, many of the best dyno numbers, and in my own trials, K&N works plain and simple. Measure your IATs and you will see the truth. My TB is ice cold after my runs and regular driving...
Last edited by 11secondGP; Nov 14, 2007 at 11:12 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
K&N is an excellent warm air inlet. You can get cold air to it by propping open the hood, but if you have heat soaked at all it will take some time to get the cold air into the engine.
Averaging a number of runs that were corrected for conditions I gained .8 mph in trap speed with a cold air inlet (Xcelerator, the Honker copy) as compared to my K&N inlet with an open shroud.
Take it for what it's worth, but I just gave you some data that shows the K&N even with a propped open shroud is not as good as a cold air inlet. And believe me, I have no beef over K&N, I am not a K&N "hater." K&N is an outstanding company and it's an excellent inlet. But for max performance get a true cold air inlet. I made the mistake of going with the K&N first.
Averaging a number of runs that were corrected for conditions I gained .8 mph in trap speed with a cold air inlet (Xcelerator, the Honker copy) as compared to my K&N inlet with an open shroud.
Take it for what it's worth, but I just gave you some data that shows the K&N even with a propped open shroud is not as good as a cold air inlet. And believe me, I have no beef over K&N, I am not a K&N "hater." K&N is an outstanding company and it's an excellent inlet. But for max performance get a true cold air inlet. I made the mistake of going with the K&N first.
Last edited by glennhl; Nov 14, 2007 at 11:17 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
From: The best one
If you want to avoid heat soak you can just block off the filter area from the engine. My IATs are low right off the line. Not sure how I could be losing power if I am pulling in ambient air temps.
Definition of a cold air intake = One that instantly pulls in ambient air temps.
Fair enough? Well that is what mine does therefore it would be a CAI.
Definition of a cold air intake = One that instantly pulls in ambient air temps.
Fair enough? Well that is what mine does therefore it would be a CAI.
Last edited by 11secondGP; Nov 14, 2007 at 11:30 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 16
From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
K&N is an excellent warm air inlet. You can get cold air to it by propping open the hood, but if you have heat soaked at all it will take some time to get the cold air into the engine.
Averaging a number of runs that were corrected for conditions I gained .8 mph in trap speed with a cold air inlet (Xcelerator, the Honker copy) as compared to my K&N inlet with an open shroud.
Take it for what it's worth, but I just gave you some data that shows the K&N even with a propped open shroud is not as good as a cold air inlet. And believe me, I have no beef over K&N, I am not a K&N "hater." K&N is an outstanding company and it's an excellent inlet. But for max performance get a true cold air inlet. I made the mistake of going with the K&N first.
Averaging a number of runs that were corrected for conditions I gained .8 mph in trap speed with a cold air inlet (Xcelerator, the Honker copy) as compared to my K&N inlet with an open shroud.
Take it for what it's worth, but I just gave you some data that shows the K&N even with a propped open shroud is not as good as a cold air inlet. And believe me, I have no beef over K&N, I am not a K&N "hater." K&N is an outstanding company and it's an excellent inlet. But for max performance get a true cold air inlet. I made the mistake of going with the K&N first.
As Glen has stated....... Several of us have run scans with HP Tuners and have verified results that cold air (CAI) works better than warm air (K&N). Moreover, just use some common sense...... Notice your car feels much quicker on a cool crisp day than on a hot humid day
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
Statements/Claims without evidence to back them up are not helpful. My intake gets cold air, verified by IAT readings, and yes it is a K&N.
If you're not propping open your shroud,or something under there,the only cold air that thing is getting is in your dreams!AND VARARAM INTAKES have been proven time and time again!K+N is a good quality intake But it is NOT A COLD AIR INTAKE.PERIOD!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Well why WOULDNT someone prop open their shroud? It takes 5 seconds, lol.
I will scan with HPtuners the next time I am at the track with my K&N and open shroud and will report back with the IATs that it reads off the line and throughout the run.
Last night was my first run with the K&N and seriously opened shroud...it was a big difference going from a 30 roll. Obviously not a huge difference, but it was noticeable.
I will scan with HPtuners the next time I am at the track with my K&N and open shroud and will report back with the IATs that it reads off the line and throughout the run.
Last night was my first run with the K&N and seriously opened shroud...it was a big difference going from a 30 roll. Obviously not a huge difference, but it was noticeable.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
I have a propped open shroud (3.25") with the stock filter. Just purchased a Xcelerator Cold Air Inlet (Honker clone) and will compare with my HP Tuner too. I got the Xcel as it finally made sense to me that a) my propped shroud/stock filter has a mix of hot and cold air going to the intake and with little to no "ram" effect while b)the Cold Air Inlets have strictly cold air going to the intake and moving at higher speeds with ram effect via modifying the shroud.
The proof of the pudding of course will be at the strip (and street
) but I am confident of some improvement over the propped shroud only.
The proof of the pudding of course will be at the strip (and street
) but I am confident of some improvement over the propped shroud only.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
I know that's not what K&N will tell you, but I got nothing agains K&N. I use and swear by their oil filters on my C6 and my Kohler generator and nothing else!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
I was at the track twice recently. In same weather I did a 12.69 (113.01) with shroud closed and a 12.54 (114.10) with shroud opened and TM "upshifts" disabled. I figure the TM was worth about .10 (confirmed by 8850 too) and the open shroud was worth .05. I also figure a cold air inlet (Xclerator) will pick me up another .05 and .8 mph over the propped shroud and stock filter . I have my doubts of any more than that with any CAI. I think its definately worth opening the shroud and didnt find any dirt etc. getting in under the hood with it opened. Not to mention its a snap to close it.
Last edited by siffert; Nov 15, 2007 at 04:50 PM.