Hello Forum members...Happy New Year! I am hoping you can give me some insight please. I have been wavering on getting an AFE CAI for some time now for my 2104 Z51 M7. Every time I get ready to pull the trigger, I always talk myself out of it. I am hesitant to pull the trigger because I am unsure they truly perform as described by AFE.

So here in lies my questions. Please answer honestly.

1. Are they worth it?
2. Is the 18-22 HP increase noticeable?
3. Will installing one void the warranty?
4. Will installing one require a tune?
5. I have an Elite E2 Catch can...Will this complicate the installation of the intake?
6. Oil filter versus dry filter?
7. Could upgrading the OEM filter provide the same affect as replacing the entire unit?

Thank you for your time...I look forward to your responses.

Fred

 

aFe is a great product.
Really wakes up the Z 06.
Will not void warranty but your catch can could.
Doesn’t need a tune.
I use the oiled filter
Cheap cost for the horse power gains.

 

What is the difference or reason why one uses the Dry vs Oiled Filter or Pros vs Cons.

 

Dry is less messy and doesn’t really need to be maintained
Oil needs to be cleaned and maintend once in a while, can cause oil to go inside the intake causing a cel. But from what I’ve read on, oil filter is better performance wise
Personally my choice was the dry filter afe intake system
Best bang for buck horse power and sounds nice when you give it WOT

 

I have a 2017 Z51 with 5400 mi on it before I put it in winter hibernation.


I bought my AFE system when I ordered the car. I have the oiled version complete system. It is not messy since it comes oiled from factory! The mistake many people do with these oiled filters is when they clean it they apply too much oil afterwards. It requires very little!


I instantly noticed the difference in sound and even under load on low revs there is a deeper "base resonance" which is pleasant. More encouraging is that when I was tracking the car and there were an identical 2016 Z51 with stock intake I got comments on that mine sounded much better and louder from the outside


1. Are they worth it?
AFE rate 18-22 hp which is high but it is also a big engine! Even if it would give 13-15 hp the cost per hp is still relatively good compared to adding a supercharger, or headers with tuning. Also if you want to add headers etc later this is a must!
2. Is the 18-22 HP increase noticeable?
Difficult to tell since I put min on almost immediately after the 500 mi oil change but I think you will feel it if you had yours stock longer.
3. Will installing one void the warranty?
Apparently not according to others in this thread.
4. Will installing one require a tune?
No, AFE does not require remapping/tuning! It is plug and play and I have not got any error codes. It works within the limits/tolerances set by GM. However when you install it, it takes 2-3 hours of driving for the system to recalibrate to the new increased flow.
5. I have an Elite E2 Catch can...Will this complicate the installation of the intake?
If you have a 2017 or later model you don't have to worry about catch can since the tubing is different and leading to the dry sump return can (used like a catch can)! Perhaps there is an upgrade kit available for this on previous models. I think this is brilliant since it is engine oil after all and to take it back is good and does no harm as long as you change it regularly!
6. Oil filter versus dry filter?
Oil gives more power and can be cleaned oiled and reused. Dry is a good alternative if you don't want to clean. I would doubt you feel the difference between these two when driving on normal roads.
7. Could upgrading the OEM filter provide the same affect as replacing the entire unit?
No, AFE and other aftermarket has a different design and especially the "rubber spring" close to the throttle body creates a lot of turbulence and reduce flow. On the stock system GM tries to get as much resonances away to get it to be quiet. This is not what we want, we want this nice sucking sound with all the wonderful resonances. Also in the stock filter holder you cannot fit a bigger filter. AFE:s is huge compared to the stock version in terms of surface area.


I hope this gives some insight!


//Motors 5

 

I have about 25k miles on my 2014 Z51 with the AFE intake and am still very happy with it (38k miles on the car). I opted for the dry filter since it is easier to maintain, less messy, and offers better filtration. The LT1 does not benefit from the additional flow the oiled filter provides on top of the dry since they are both already so massive in size the dry media flows plenty for an NA engine. The LT4 will benefit from the additional airflow though and has shown great gains on the dyno!

The AFE intake is compatible and safe with the stock tune, but there is always room for improvement. If you want to keep it simple, Diablo does offer canned tunes specifically designed for the AFE intake, which I had good success with. On top of that, I then decided to get a custom remote tune using the Diablo InTune handheld from DiabLew and have nothing but great things to say about him and his tunes.

 

You have a PM

Regards
Chip

 

Answering your questions in order:
1) Yes it is worth it! Had on my 2014 Z51 for over 2 years, worked great! Got the main thing I was looking for "intake noise at WOT!" Have a K&N 14 inch diameter, 5 inch high on the 8.2 Liter BB on my street rod. At WOT it makes as much noise as the long tube headers, that exhaust through 3 inch pipes into straight through Borlas As there is no room to fit over the narrowed Ford 9 inch on the tubbed chassis, they exit just in front of the rear wheels. I look at the economics this way, even if I only get 10 hp (the dyno data posted by a forum member before and after an install of an aFe with paper filter) and not the 17 hp shown by aFe in their dyno tests; I got twice the power for half the money I paid for NPP ($1100) where I got half the power and noise! 4 times better value! Plus I removed it when I sold my 2014 and installed it on my Grand Sport! Double use and all I did was clean and reoil the filter.


2) The aFe dyno data I have seen is 17 hp but the extra starts at lower rpm than expected. As mentioned above a forum poster who dyno'd before and after install BUT he used the higher restriction paper filter they offer. He got 10 hp BUT I am not sure he waited the ~200 miles the aFe engineers said it could take for the MAF and computer to optimize the air/fuel ratio with the lower restriction.


3) I do not worry about warranty as I have done nothing to mess up the engine, IMO. I am confident I can defend it if necessary! Have done that several times successfully with Chevy, once for a clutch pressure plate and another for an AC Condenser hole (Chevy said was caused by a rock.) But that's me! If your nervous-DON'T! I would not install one on a Z06 where it's reported you can get ~30 hp. That requires a tune, like adding headers. Any tune, for what every reason will void the warranty. I never had a CEL as the current MAP is broad enough to compensate. Now if I liver in Denver, I would be more concerned!


4) Answered in 3 NOT for an LT1, call the aFe engineers as I did they will tell you the same.

5) I had an Elite catch can that I installed on my 2014 Z51, removed when I sold in last year and installed on my Grand Sport. With only one outlet, there is no line to the intake tube. If you installed that second line, just get a 1/4 inch threaded pipe plug and block it at the can. Useless, IMO for normal street driving with a NA engine. Frankly I would not be as comfotble defending that 2nd line! You must properly install a check valve or it oculd cause engine problesm.. There were posts that one manufacturer who supplies their can's with two exit lines pre-installed the check valve backwards! My can just sits in the OEM PCV outlet to manifold line.

6) I have used oiled cotton K&N for many years! Had them on Vettes with MAFs. There is NO MESS if you know what you're doing! Can't feel the oil when I am finished. Just takes some time. I wash the filter then let it dry, overnight. Then put a small amount of oil ONLY on the peak seams. let it sit a few hours until it spreads on it's own into the valleys. If there is some area not covered (it has a die,) just add a drop and wait. If you are not comfortable or can't follow directions buy their paper filter option and replace it like the OEM paper filter! Won't get as much hp BUT folks say they still get the noisy "Sucking Sound" at WOT!

7) No way! I posted one pic. the aFe filter is not only lower restriction but larger! It needs a larger housing and shorter tube.

You ask a lot of questions but not all you could! Here a PDF of my install that answers ones you didn't know to ask!
http://netwelding.com/Cold_Air_Intake.pdf




Smaller OEM paper filter right, larger oiled cotton left.

 

Looks like everyone answered your questions.

Contact us for pricing. Have them in stock, ready to ship!

-Josh

 

If you do not plan on any other mods, I wouldn't bother with the AFE or any intake. Just get a drop in filter and call it a day.

If you plan on more mods then the AFE is a great start. I like the AFE but I have more mods.

 

This. By itself it's not worth it.

And will you honestly feel an additional 20 HP (more like 10, but let's go with 20)? In normal driving, anyone who says they "feel" it is

 

I've added CAI's to many of my cars, my current (and last, retiring) C7 has the aFe CAI; it opens up the sound, I think it revs alittle more freely but as to the hp claims? My butt says no........enjoy