Air intake and Elements
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: ocean isle beach north carolina
the factory ones are approved by the epa!!!!!!!!!! the aftermarket like k&n and others will give you more air,but don't expect to really feel the difference.as least i never did!
Last edited by 2bagger; Feb 13, 2013 at 07:28 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,798
Likes: 25
From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21
I do not think an aftermarket filter will do much with a LS3 or later. Getting cool air to the intake is more important. It's not something you stick on and feel the difference. The few horses you MIGHT get, you will not feel.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
The stock air filter is a top tier product. It is the same filter used in the 427 motor. So it does breath well.
Any significant power increase will be gained by getting cooler air ingested. Just changing the filter element is a dreamers wish for power gains and will be loosing filtration properties with any significant air intake gains. What is needed is cooler air which requires a totally different air intake system, not just the filter.
A true Cold Air Intake (cai) system can be a plus depending on design.
Usually thees cai work best under higher speeds, especially at track speeds. For the street under legal speeds I would have to say save your money.
Also consider that a tune would be necessary for optimal performance gains with a CAI, not just with a filter change though.
So adding a $500 tune to a $400-$600 cai for street use only seems a poor folly.
Any significant power increase will be gained by getting cooler air ingested. Just changing the filter element is a dreamers wish for power gains and will be loosing filtration properties with any significant air intake gains. What is needed is cooler air which requires a totally different air intake system, not just the filter.
A true Cold Air Intake (cai) system can be a plus depending on design.
Usually thees cai work best under higher speeds, especially at track speeds. For the street under legal speeds I would have to say save your money.
Also consider that a tune would be necessary for optimal performance gains with a CAI, not just with a filter change though.
So adding a $500 tune to a $400-$600 cai for street use only seems a poor folly.
Last edited by Boomer111; Feb 13, 2013 at 11:04 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 66
From: San Luis Obispo, California
Zero11, check into the Halltech MF103 & beehive for $480...as I understand it there's no tuning required, but Halltech includes his email-tune if desired. I'm running the stock LS3-7 filter/bridge on my LS3 w/ no plans to change as these are excellent filters,...but it's all personal preference. If I lived in a hotter climate where IAT's were a bigger factor I'd think serioisly @ the MF103 & beehive.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The stock air filter is a top tier product. It is the same filter used in the 427 motor. So it does breath well.
Any significant power increase will be gained by getting cooler air ingested. Just changing the filter element is a dreamers wish for power gains and will be loosing filtration properties with any significant air intake gains. What is needed is cooler air which requires a totally different air intake system, not just the filter.
A true Cold Air Intake (cai) system can be a plus depending on design.
Usually thees cai work best under higher speeds, especially at track speeds. For the street under legal speeds I would have to say save your money.
Also consider that a tune would be necessary for optimal performance gains with a CAI, not just with a filter change though.
So adding a $500 tune to a $400-$600 cai for street use only seems a poor folly.
Any significant power increase will be gained by getting cooler air ingested. Just changing the filter element is a dreamers wish for power gains and will be loosing filtration properties with any significant air intake gains. What is needed is cooler air which requires a totally different air intake system, not just the filter.
A true Cold Air Intake (cai) system can be a plus depending on design.
Usually thees cai work best under higher speeds, especially at track speeds. For the street under legal speeds I would have to say save your money.
Also consider that a tune would be necessary for optimal performance gains with a CAI, not just with a filter change though.
So adding a $500 tune to a $400-$600 cai for street use only seems a poor folly.
When I ordered my Vette, I could have had the no extra cost Victory Red, but chose the $850 option Crystal Red Metallic simply because I liked it better. That shade of red didn't improve the performance one bit, but it was my personal preferance.
A CAI and tune for the same amount of cash will improve performance, although I'd wait on the tune until after a big change in the exhaust system. (headers or Z06)
A Vararam with an Amsoil EAA-240 filter would be my choice.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I agree with most of the assessment, but the cost part becomes a personal preferance of value.
When I ordered my Vette, I could have had the no extra cost Victory Red, but chose the $850 option Crystal Red Metallic simply because I liked it better. That shade of red didn't improve the performance one bit, but it was my personal preferance.
A CAI and tune for the same amount of cash will improve performance, although I'd wait on the tune until after a big change in the exhaust system. (headers or Z06)
A Vararam with an Amsoil EAA-240 filter would be my choice.
When I ordered my Vette, I could have had the no extra cost Victory Red, but chose the $850 option Crystal Red Metallic simply because I liked it better. That shade of red didn't improve the performance one bit, but it was my personal preferance.
A CAI and tune for the same amount of cash will improve performance, although I'd wait on the tune until after a big change in the exhaust system. (headers or Z06)
A Vararam with an Amsoil EAA-240 filter would be my choice.
And I have never been one not to pay for what I want.
The questions has always been do I really need it.
After going the CAI and header route on a California car I came to the conclusion that for street only driving it is not necessary or even warranted. Granted it boost power nicely, but I found it difficult being able to use it safely.
These cars even in stock forum hit high speeds very quickly.
Now I am back to being mostly smog complaint, (Z06 manifolds and tune still) Stock air box back on too.
The best mod I did other than full window tinting is the diff change to 4:10's. This I can enjoy every shift and not necessarily at full throttle.