Sorry to start another CAI post but i am finishing a mild cam install with headers on my 07 LS2. I don't care about all the hype of "cold air" and "ram air" but rather just concerned about getting the air the engine needs. Is leaving the stock intake on with K&N filters going to starve my engine of 20 HP or more? Is the intake that restrictive?

 

I would say, "with out log data" that it may not be that big of a decrease if at all. I use the callaway honker intake and like it. Please see this thead - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...t-run-one.html

If you are looking for good HP/TQ mods I would recommend a set of headers and a FAST 102 intake manifold.

 

Its not, and until you solve some problem downline, a new filter system is not not going to buy you much HP.

On the intake side, the LS-2 intake has some casting problems that first need to be cleaned up to allow it to flow better to its full potential. If you are not going to cam, then just have the stock intake ported to clean up the flaws instead (a lot cheaper and will end up with the same amount of power as a fast with the stock motor).

Next, have the TB ported to clean up the entry step lip to allow the TB to flow a touch better.


On the exhaust side, need to move to long tube headers for better exhaust flow, even if you are going to run high flow cats. As for muffler, the stock is not that restrictive, so if you are going to go with an after market muffler, it going to be for sound mostly.


At this point, now the stock air box becomes questionable as the choke point, and may be time to for something that will flow more air volume instead.


As for the fast over a ported LS2 stock intake, its when you are caming, alone with the rest listed above (and maybe some head work as well), that you justify the added volume of the needs intake, as well as changing out the TB to a larger size too. But even with the fast, you still need to port/plastic weld to clean it up to solve the turbulence problem of the casting flaws of the stock unit (read why the stock unit ported alone works very, very well on the cheap for the stock motor).

 

^^^First hand experiences?

My first hand experience, which is inline with member Gering's, incrementally to gauge:

1. Callaway, headers + tune = substantial from OEM.

2. Port/polish TB = no gain.

3. Fast 103 + the above with stock engine = well....suffice to say, my first hand experience concurred with reported advantages all over the forum.

 

Sounds good. I have a cam and long tube headers but i have not touched the heads or intake. I will probably leave stock for now and drive the cam a little. Next year i can go FAST 102 and new intake. Will probably make more sense to do those two together. Thanks.

 

I'm in the process of this same list of mods, should know more in 2 weeks.

Ordered Kooks with catted 3" pipe
Ported LS2 intake and TB
Honker CAI
NXT Step Catback

Cam in the fall

 

Cold air is not hype. The stock tune pulls 12 degrees of timing at IAT of 152, which is ½ of commanded timing and it starts pulling timing at 88 degrees IAT. I've scanned IAT of 150+ on a 70 degree day in a Z06 in the staging lanes.

When you provide cooler air to the engine you get a lot more power as you will get the full timing commanded or close thereto. Cutting ½ your timing cuts a lot of power.

 

It is a fairly big difference on an LS2. Those who say it isn't is because they may have had calibration issues going to a new box or this is just a way to convince themselves otherwise. Like what Joe said, you can't be cool air, not just for making more power but actually making the power it is already capable of and not handicapping it. If you can't afford or don't want to spend money on the CAI's than buy a used LS7 intake and have the mad and iat transfer function changed and you will notice a big difference just from that.
Justin