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Driving without air intake ?

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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 03:54 PM
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Default Driving without air intake ?

I recently removed my air intake on my 09 C6 to have it custom painted . I was wondering if anyone knew if driving the car without the intake would hurt the vehicle in any way. The intake will be back from paint in a couple of weeks but I'm sure between now and then there may be a couple of nice days here in upstate New York that I may want to take her out for a spin. I guess my main concern is there was a sensor plugged into the side of the intake , I'm not sure if this will cause the engine light to come on. Thank you in advance for any advice.
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 03:56 PM
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oh you are gonna get a CEL

other than nothing stopping dirt from directly going into the TB I see no problem
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 03:57 PM
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The MAF is needed to measure air flow and adjust fueling. I would assume it will run will rough if at all without it connected. Also, what would you use to filter the air entering the throttle body? Not a good idea.
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by giarcmo
I recently removed my air intake on my 09 C6 to have it custom painted . I was wondering if anyone knew if driving the car without the intake would hurt the vehicle in any way. The intake will be back from paint in a couple of weeks but I'm sure between now and then there may be a couple of nice days here in upstate New York that I may want to take her out for a spin. I guess my main concern is there was a sensor plugged into the side of the intake , I'm not sure if this will cause the engine light to come on. Thank you in advance for any advice.
If that sensor is not plugged in you will get a service light on. As far as the air filter you risk the potential of dirt getting into your engine. I would not run it until I get that filter back on.
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 04:04 PM
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I'm sure you're really itching to drive it while having no intake but save yourself the headache and just let her rest. No need in damaging something just for a quick spin.
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 04:25 PM
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Thanks for all the advice. This forum is an excellent tool for guys like me that love their car but don't always know how it works.... maybe I'll get lucky and we will get more snow in the great northeast LOL
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 04:28 PM
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I'd almost bet it won't run (at least run really bad). Lots of reports of the LS3 cars being finicky with after market air cleaners "disturbing" the air flow to the point of causing issues.

As others have said, the prudent thing is to just bite the bullet and let it sit 'till you get it back together.
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 04:55 PM
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Drive the hell out of it, especially down gravel roads!
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by breecher_7
Drive the hell out of it, especially down gravel roads!
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Old Mar 10, 2011 | 06:01 PM
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When I was a kid in the 50's we thought it was cool to remove the air cleaner. I now know we were damaging the engine but we were cool. I agree with the above the car probably won't run but even if it does why chance it.
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