HP increase from a CAI?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 87
Likes: 10
From: Midwest
HP increase from a CAI?
I see claims from vendors of 5-15 HP increase using a aftermarket CAI.
Is the stock CAI really that bad or are the aftermarkets the cats mewo? 22-64 bucks per HP increase seems like a bargain.
Considering picking one up for my 07.
Is the stock CAI really that bad or are the aftermarkets the cats mewo? 22-64 bucks per HP increase seems like a bargain.
Considering picking one up for my 07.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,299
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From: Mead Wash
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Unless you change the OEM for a true CAI at the dragstrip and convert the MPH to HP, you'll never know how much one will gain. I can tell you my racing buddy Bob (RIP) gained .15 seconds with his LS2 after I did the $2 shroud prop at the track. He also gained 2 MPH. I don't have his timeslips to confirm the exact MPH difference. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1586336347
From a few years ago. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...omparison.html
From a few years ago. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...omparison.html
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,849
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
No real benefits in power from an airflow perspective as the factory C6 intake flows plenty from the factory. Most cars mainly benefit from intakes that have a shroud to isolate the intake from sucking in heated air from the engine bay or those intakes that pull air from outside the engine compartment. But it really isn't a power gain, it is just preventing power from being robbed because of ingestion of hot engine compartment air.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 35
Likes: 3
From: Myrtle Beach, SC
No real benefits in power from an airflow perspective as the factory C6 intake flows plenty from the factory. Most cars mainly benefit from intakes that have a shroud to isolate the intake from sucking in heated air from the engine bay or those intakes that pull air from outside the engine compartment. But it really isn't a power gain, it is just preventing power from being robbed because of ingestion of hot engine compartment air.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 199
From: TX
LS2 - you will likely gain a little power but a tune will really unlock the gains.
LS3 - waste of money until your going throttle body, intake manifold, headers, cam, etc...
Headers will give you a better bang for the buck, even going with a complete Z06 header back exhaust is a great option for power with "minimal" money spent.
LS3 - waste of money until your going throttle body, intake manifold, headers, cam, etc...
Headers will give you a better bang for the buck, even going with a complete Z06 header back exhaust is a great option for power with "minimal" money spent.
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 87
Likes: 10
From: Midwest
LS2 - you will likely gain a little power but a tune will really unlock the gains.
LS3 - waste of money until your going throttle body, intake manifold, headers, cam, etc...
Headers will give you a better bang for the buck, even going with a complete Z06 header back exhaust is a great option for power with "minimal" money spent.
LS3 - waste of money until your going throttle body, intake manifold, headers, cam, etc...
Headers will give you a better bang for the buck, even going with a complete Z06 header back exhaust is a great option for power with "minimal" money spent.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 199
From: TX
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
CAI are one of those supporting mod things you do, an "every bit helps" type deal. Dont count on really feeling it and hoping it was worth it
There are simple things that work, and others that work in theory or in a dyno cell but dont do anything in real life pulling a car behind it.
There are simple things that work, and others that work in theory or in a dyno cell but dont do anything in real life pulling a car behind it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 185
From: Erie PA
CAI = $300 ish and you won't notice much gain
Diablosport Trinity Tuner = $300 ish (used or refurb) and will see a difference
I did both of the above and noticed a difference, but I have A6 trans.
this winter, i installed headers and will be getting a better tune in the spring. I can't wait to see the difference the headers make.
Diablosport Trinity Tuner = $300 ish (used or refurb) and will see a difference
I did both of the above and noticed a difference, but I have A6 trans.
this winter, i installed headers and will be getting a better tune in the spring. I can't wait to see the difference the headers make.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 12,411
Likes: 4,217
From: Huskerland
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Halltech is the only product line that has documented gains on a dyno as far as I know. Most of that is from moving the MAF forward and the Beehive heat shield to keep the hot engine air out of the intake. As stated before this is done due to the fact that the intake temps go beyond 86 degrees the engine starts to pull timing. That is not a good thing for performance. Katech and others use these on their performance builds so they must have some merit.......
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 874
From: Bay Area CA
As mentioned, the LS2 will benefit more with an aftermarket CAI than the LS3. The LS2 air intake is much more restrictive than the LS3. A tune after a CAI will benefit both the LS2 and LS3. If you decide to go with headers or Z06 exhaust, then install the CAI, exhaust and tune last. If you go with all three, your tuner will most likely recommend a 160* t-stat and reprogram the fan duty cycle to help keep the average coolant temps down. So what you are trying to accomplish is more cooler air into the engine while keeping combustion chamber temps down and allowing more exhaust out. These changes will maximize the benefits of a tune. Expect around 28+ rwhp for all three mods, depending on the dyno.