Are CAI's really worth it?
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 291
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From: Huntsville AL
Are CAI's really worth it?
As the title asks are CAI's really worth the money. After reading through some threads it seems like for a '13 GS that the stock intake is better than the CAI's or did I read the thread wrong. Thanks for the help.
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Most of what I've read says the CAIs help in the 1/4 mile. A reported .1 or .2 in the ET. I'm not sure the cost is worth the gain. 
Elmer
Elmer
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No, they're not and I have real world track results to back up that claim. Just cut your shroud and save yourself a few hundred dollars.
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From: Platte City, Missouri
I'm sure you'll get differing opinions and come away with nothing truly conclusive. Even with the folks that present proof that there is a positive return, it seems marginal. I contemplated the Halltech MF103 for a while and decided against it. It looks to be well made and does seem to add a slight amount of power; partially because of increased efficiency and partially due to unreported air getting past the MAF. As I said, I eventually decided against it because of potential warranty issues and the reports of increased silicon in oil analysis after running these filters.
I decided to get the Halltech Beehive to install around the original filter housing on my Grand Sport. I think the original donaldson filters do a great job and the beehive adds a barrier to keep the intake air temperatures down. Sort of a compromise, I guess. The NACA duct should serve as the source for cooler air, so hopefully it provides some added benefit when paired with the beehive. I'll install and find out when I get home from Afghanistan in a few months.
I decided to get the Halltech Beehive to install around the original filter housing on my Grand Sport. I think the original donaldson filters do a great job and the beehive adds a barrier to keep the intake air temperatures down. Sort of a compromise, I guess. The NACA duct should serve as the source for cooler air, so hopefully it provides some added benefit when paired with the beehive. I'll install and find out when I get home from Afghanistan in a few months.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: The Woodlands TX
I have also wondered the same thing... I know a Varraram can add a couple MPH in the 1/4 but not a fan due to the drop down intake tube that could be prone to water.
I'm coming from a C5 and the LS1/LS6's had the zip tie mod. Is there a similar free mod with the LS3 air boxes?
I'm coming from a C5 and the LS1/LS6's had the zip tie mod. Is there a similar free mod with the LS3 air boxes?
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From: Short Hills, NJ
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Huntsville AL
I just am not seeing a compelling reason to get a CAI. I mean to spend a couple of hundred dollars to gain a mile or two an hour doesnt seem worth it. The only reason I say this is because I am coming from a 5th Gen Camaro and a CAI definitely helped that car out and it had an LS3 also. Kind of weird that a CAI doesn't really help this car.
Safety Car
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From: TN PA
CI 5-6-7-8-9-10-11 Vet
With the same popular aftermarket intake systems on both my completely stock 11 Camaro SS and 08 Corvette, 1/4 mile et's and mph's were slower....I'm now running a Beehive with a stock intake on the 08, I did have to cut the shroud to stop getting a "too lean both banks" SES light when at W.O.T.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Southampton NJ
I just am not seeing a compelling reason to get a CAI. I mean to spend a couple of hundred dollars to gain a mile or two an hour doesnt seem worth it. The only reason I say this is because I am coming from a 5th Gen Camaro and a CAI definitely helped that car out and it had an LS3 also. Kind of weird that a CAI doesn't really help this car.
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
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I just am not seeing a compelling reason to get a CAI. I mean to spend a couple of hundred dollars to gain a mile or two an hour doesnt seem worth it. The only reason I say this is because I am coming from a 5th Gen Camaro and a CAI definitely helped that car out and it had an LS3 also. Kind of weird that a CAI doesn't really help this car.
Simply figure out where you fit in the picture and you'll have your answer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 907
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From: The Woodlands TX
One issue I've had with CAI's before is their fitment. They install easy but they don't bolt down and don't seem secured to the shroud. The filter is just left sitting on top of the shroud to move around. Seems the factory look and fitment is the best.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
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From: Southampton NJ
WHATS WRONG WITH THE LOOK OF VARARAM
I dont want to hear it looks cheap, It's been on for years, and after all black plastic looks the same, it hooks to the maf or tb, It bolts to the front fire wall and clips into the grill with two tabs, it doesn't move, has never came unhooked, or sucked water, or let unfiltered air into the tb, it has let cold air in almost instantly upon starting, and made my car faster by a lot over the stock unit, now it doesn't show a gain on the dyno, but it surely has helped in the et and mph
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 907
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From: The Woodlands TX
I guess the C6's are different than the C5's where the C6 CAI's actually are secured to the shroud.
Is the consensus that the Vararam is the most effective CAI, or is this debated as well?
Is the consensus that the Vararam is the most effective CAI, or is this debated as well?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,164
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From: Colorado
I'm satisfied with the intake on my '13, although may open the shroud or drill some holes at the bottom to let outside air flow. Everything I read suggests the Vara-ram is an excellent choice if you want to go that way and willing to spend the money to get the gains. Just not worth it to me, although on my '06 with its poor intake system I did put in a K&N Aircharger and open the shroud. Definitely an improvement over the oem design. The new one is virtually identical to the Aircharger so see no need to shell out $400.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Maryland
You can find both time slips in the 1/4 mile section.
I converted an OEM (Z06 housing & filter, no sound box) to a CAI, it is removed same as stock.
1) The actual "conversion" cost me approx. $10 for the rubber seal striping & foam rubber, you could use your LS3 housing but I did not like the sound box.
2) Picked up 3 tenths from my best stock time to my best CAI "only" time, i.e. 12.31 stock to 12.01 CAI only.
I think the intake looks better, more of a finished look compared to the stocker hands down "if" I did not add those rubber seal strips, the shroud cut was a nice fit cut with a straight edge and razor blade. The modified housing drops through the rectangle cut shroud hole approx. 1/2". I added the rubber strips because I did not want even "dust" to get through to the engine compartment.
PS: Usually 3 tenths equals= 30 HP, I would say that is something!
1) The actual "conversion" cost me approx. $10 for the rubber seal striping & foam rubber, you could use your LS3 housing but I did not like the sound box.
2) Picked up 3 tenths from my best stock time to my best CAI "only" time, i.e. 12.31 stock to 12.01 CAI only.
I think the intake looks better, more of a finished look compared to the stocker hands down "if" I did not add those rubber seal strips, the shroud cut was a nice fit cut with a straight edge and razor blade. The modified housing drops through the rectangle cut shroud hole approx. 1/2". I added the rubber strips because I did not want even "dust" to get through to the engine compartment.
PS: Usually 3 tenths equals= 30 HP, I would say that is something!
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; Aug 18, 2013 at 02:26 PM.