Cold air intake
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 38
Likes: 7
From: Québec, Canada
Cold air intake
I just swap the oem mufflers for Z06 mufflers. I plan to buy a CAI for my base 09 Corvette. There are so many available I dont know which one to chose. Which one did you chose, are you satisfied would you recommend it. Any help would be appreciated.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 228
Likes: 95
From: Westminster, Maryland
The stock intake is pretty efficient for a stock unit. That being said, a good CAI, can provide between 10 and 18 hp. I bought the Calloway Honker which has been tested. It comes with a K & N filter. In fact, it requires a fan shroud modification and a retune. You will not read any increase in hp on a static dyno as the car has to actually be moving- hence the term “ram air.” Between the tune and the CAI, you should pick up 30hp on the street.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 243
From: Surprise, Az
The '09 induction system is pretty good, few vendors have been able to improve on it including Fast. Personally, I would look for a bigger bang for your buck by going with headers and a tune. I did that with my '12 and the results were quite pleasing with a pickup of 43hp.
If you look at the engines Katech build for the C-6, they will use a Halltech CAI, it seals air intake from the hot engine compartment.
As another personal note, I really don't like K&N air intake products and won't buy a vehicle that has one installed. The airflow from the stock air filter is capable of flowing enough for the LS-7 and 9 motors without issue and it does a grate job of filtering the air. Here in the SW, there is far too much dust in the air, it just isn't worth ingesting into my engine for a minimal potential increase in HP.
If you look at the engines Katech build for the C-6, they will use a Halltech CAI, it seals air intake from the hot engine compartment.
As another personal note, I really don't like K&N air intake products and won't buy a vehicle that has one installed. The airflow from the stock air filter is capable of flowing enough for the LS-7 and 9 motors without issue and it does a grate job of filtering the air. Here in the SW, there is far too much dust in the air, it just isn't worth ingesting into my engine for a minimal potential increase in HP.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 51
Likes: 24
From: Vancouver, Wa
Indeed the stock setup is more than enough 'for a STOCK LS3 engine'. Consider that the supercharged ZL1 has basically the exact same setup, except I believe the filter flows slightly more, regardless it's pulling plenty of air to keep that happy. So if you're keeping it 'fairly stock', and maybe headers, let it be. Now if you modify your LS3 (don't go cheap!) by installing good headers & X-pipe, and install an NPP, install a nice cam (Spin Monster), BTR 660 dual Springs, CNC port the heads or go with Trick Flows...etc, she's going to be sucking a lot more air at WOT than the stock engine, and THEN, yes, a better filter setup is called for (Halltech Killer Bee MF103, Vararam...etc).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 243
From: Surprise, Az
Indeed the stock setup is more than enough 'for a STOCK LS3 engine'. Consider that the supercharged ZL1 has basically the exact same setup, except I believe the filter flows slightly more, regardless it's pulling plenty of air to keep that happy. So if you're keeping it 'fairly stock', and maybe headers, let it be. Now if you modify your LS3 (don't go cheap!) by installing good headers & X-pipe, and install an NPP, install a nice cam (Spin Monster), BTR 660 dual Springs, CNC port the heads or go with Trick Flows...etc, she's going to be sucking a lot more air at WOT than the stock engine, and THEN, yes, a better filter setup is called for (Halltech Killer Bee MF103, Vararam...etc).
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 51
Likes: 24
From: Vancouver, Wa
No offense taken, mikeCsix, none at all. This place is loaded with opinions, which we've both now made our mutual contribution. An engine builder (that I respect) put it this way: The FILTER isn't really the restriction, but rather it's the internal dimensions of the stock air-plenum or filter intake or CAI as people are calling it. Point being he has 'consistently' seen hp & tq increases from larger volume filter housing designs.... BUT, as we all know, the flow strain on that setup only occurs at wide open throttle (WOT), but on a stock engine or mildly modified = the stock setup is more than adequate.
So when does that stock setup become a choke point? Recall we're talking about an LS3... basically a big small block, and this exact same filter intake is found on every Z06 = That's a 427, and I've NEVER seen a built 427 retain the stock filter intake system, not ever. Thus it would take some serious upgrades to all thing related to air on an LS3 before moving away from the stock setup. All of this is just sharing info from what I've seen, &/or been told (repeatedly) by those in the LS build industry. Let the flames begin, ha, ha... .
So when does that stock setup become a choke point? Recall we're talking about an LS3... basically a big small block, and this exact same filter intake is found on every Z06 = That's a 427, and I've NEVER seen a built 427 retain the stock filter intake system, not ever. Thus it would take some serious upgrades to all thing related to air on an LS3 before moving away from the stock setup. All of this is just sharing info from what I've seen, &/or been told (repeatedly) by those in the LS build industry. Let the flames begin, ha, ha... .
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Just as a reference to a similar question asked years ago, I checked what CAI was being used by the quickest 1/4 mile times that were posted on the performance sticky. Vararam was the overwhelming choice by something around 80% of the racers.
That's what works for drag racing, which only slightly affects a small portion of a normal performance drivers' usage. Straight line speed contests are the only events that use time to evaluate the cars' performance vs the drivers' abilities.
The bottom line remains, that if you don't intend to compete in any form, then any mods you do are purely for your own satisfaction, where anything and everything is acceptable.
That's what works for drag racing, which only slightly affects a small portion of a normal performance drivers' usage. Straight line speed contests are the only events that use time to evaluate the cars' performance vs the drivers' abilities.
The bottom line remains, that if you don't intend to compete in any form, then any mods you do are purely for your own satisfaction, where anything and everything is acceptable.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 38
Likes: 7
From: Québec, Canada
Does anyone tried this :
https://store.corvetteforum.com/p-46...2-ls3-ls7.aspx
Corvette VR "Power Wedge" : LS2, LS3 & LS7
https://store.corvetteforum.com/p-46...2-ls3-ls7.aspx
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,849
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
Does anyone tried this :
https://store.corvetteforum.com/p-46...2-ls3-ls7.aspx
Corvette VR "Power Wedge" : LS2, LS3 & LS7
https://store.corvetteforum.com/p-46...2-ls3-ls7.aspx
As others have stated, the stock intake is great. It can be improved by installing a shroud around it to isolate engine bay heat from it. You can purchase a shroud from Halltech; https://www.halltechsystems.com/Hall...beehive400.htm But you will have to modify it to fit the stock intake.
The only aftermarket intake I would recommend would be the Callaway Honker. It requires cutting the stock radiator shroud but it always pulls cool air from outside of the car. And it is well made.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 5
From: Kingsport TN
I thought I read somewhere on this forum that you could just get some all thread, washers and nuts and prop open the air intake from the bottom to gain more air flow. Is this something that can be done for almost zero expense? I could be wrong.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 491
From: South Florida
Easiest way to remember it, they add very little power (if any). The hot air intakes seem like they actually make gains on the dyno, and sometimes the track. The vararam doesnt really pick anything up on the dyno, but I personally went 3 tenths quicker trapped an extra 2-3mph just by adding one to my c5 (untuned at that time). The c6 has a better intake than the C5, so there are definitely track gains to be had. If you want the car to perform, and don't care about dyno numbers, vararam is king. This has been proven on the forums by quite a few guys. Halltech makes a good unit for the C6's too, that would be my second choice.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Try search terms $2 HOXXOH