AirRaid air filter installed
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 567
Likes: 28
From: Arizona
AirRaid air filter installed
Installed an AirRaid dry filter in my 2015 A8 C-7 last night.
The pleats are wider and 1/4" longer than the stocker and the opening is
1/4" longer. The stocker has made in Thailand printed on it. The AirRaid seems to me a much higher quality piece.
In any case, started up the car after the install and went on a test cruise. Man, what racket started emanating from under the hood -- whining, humming, whoosing, and loud.
Went home after cruising awhile, listened to the symphony for a while the garage, and then shut her down.
After about 5 minutes, started her back up again and all the noise gone!
Went on a 2nd test cruise. No noise. Improved throttle response, making it feel like more low end torque, and felt like maybe got leaned out a little bit in the mid-range, not sure.
Maybe I'll buy a Trifecta or a Diablo after installing the ported exhaust manifolds.
The pleats are wider and 1/4" longer than the stocker and the opening is
1/4" longer. The stocker has made in Thailand printed on it. The AirRaid seems to me a much higher quality piece.
In any case, started up the car after the install and went on a test cruise. Man, what racket started emanating from under the hood -- whining, humming, whoosing, and loud.
Went home after cruising awhile, listened to the symphony for a while the garage, and then shut her down.
After about 5 minutes, started her back up again and all the noise gone!
Went on a 2nd test cruise. No noise. Improved throttle response, making it feel like more low end torque, and felt like maybe got leaned out a little bit in the mid-range, not sure.
Maybe I'll buy a Trifecta or a Diablo after installing the ported exhaust manifolds.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 567
Likes: 28
From: Arizona
Ordered a tune from Trifecta (good guys), arriving next week. Will post the results, though won't get a dyno. (The Trifecta tune includes improved throttle response, improvements to the A8 tranny/torque converter, 31 ft-lbs on an all stock C-7, and can remove the AFM and NPP, if desired.) Trifecta will add something to their base tune for the filter.
Took me an hour, taking my time. Had trouble getting the 2 tabs back in the hinge slots. Then again, I got to be the worst mechanic and a normal guy could do it in less for sure.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 364
From: California
I added the K&N OEM replacement filter because it was the lowest cost. The factory made in Thailand filter seem to have more pleats but maybe not as deep so I don't know which has more surface area. It seemed to function about the same as the OEM, no noticeable change in performance or sound to me but for about $60 shipped at the time on Amazon it was worth a try.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 567
Likes: 28
From: Arizona
I added the K&N OEM replacement filter because it was the lowest cost. The factory made in Thailand filter seem to have more pleats but maybe not as deep so I don't know which has more surface area. It seemed to function about the same as the OEM, no noticeable change in performance or sound to me but for about $60 shipped at the time on Amazon it was worth a try.
I bought the Air-Raid because they offer a dry, oil less one, not that anything is wrong with the oiled ones.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,231
Likes: 451
From: Maryland
I added the K&N OEM replacement filter because it was the lowest cost. The factory made in Thailand filter seem to have more pleats but maybe not as deep so I don't know which has more surface area. It seemed to function about the same as the OEM, no noticeable change in performance or sound to me but for about $60 shipped at the time on Amazon it was worth a try.
I made a change to my carburetor one time and felt nothing; however the time slip was over 2 tenths faster.
Question for C7Jake, what's that Airaid 861-162 flow @ 1.5 H20?
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; Apr 19, 2015 at 10:31 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 364
From: California
I am sure that the LT1 could use more flow, In the past I had a 09 Z51 That I installed a K&N filter charger CAI system, a K&N OEM replacement filter with the OEM Z06 CAI and the stock CAI with oem filter on and ran it at the 1/4 mile the same day, all the runs where within one 1/2 a tenth and 1/2 mph. I think the oem stock system on the LS3 flowed better then the C7. 312 CFM still sounds weak but better then stock and well not void the factory warranty. I would think all the OEM replacement higher flowing filters would flow very close to the same.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 458
Likes: 20
.2 could be the fact that it was on a different day. I've made bigger variations in between runs on the same day.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,231
Likes: 451
From: Maryland
PS: I told a friend he would pick up a tenth using this, He said, BS. So we made a bet that the loser would have to get down on his knees and Kiss the other guys feet in the staging lanes in front of everyone; Well he went a tenth and a half faster. I SHOULD OF GOT A PIC OF THAT!!!
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; Apr 20, 2015 at 12:13 AM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 458
Likes: 20
I'm not saying the mod didn't make any difference, but with so many variables, it's hard to tell. If you came back and ran a half a second better with the same 60' and a much higher trap speed, then that would be more obvious that the mod made a difference.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,231
Likes: 451
From: Maryland
the point that I was trying to make is that .1 or .2 is such a minute difference that it could of been anything. It could of been a drop in temperature from a cooler part of the day, better track conditions, or you drove better.
I'm not saying the mod didn't make any difference, but with so many variables, it's hard to tell. If you came back and ran a half a second better with the same 60' and a much higher trap speed, then that would be more obvious that the mod made a difference.
I'm not saying the mod didn't make any difference, but with so many variables, it's hard to tell. If you came back and ran a half a second better with the same 60' and a much higher trap speed, then that would be more obvious that the mod made a difference.
PS: The heat shield/spacer made the car even more consistent, a good bracket racer's car usually runs with-in a .01 or 2 of his/hers dial on race day and "yes" they adjust for changing weather conditions. A bracket racer (That's All They Do) will usually kick a good street racer's a$$ everytime on raceday.
Last edited by C7/Z06 Man; Apr 20, 2015 at 01:11 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 1,200
From: Ft. Myers FL
I added a Vararam to my 06 A6 LS2 and after a year of runs I ran consistant low 12's all day long. This was other than the CAI & a 160 deg. Stat...stock on stock run flats. BTW I got 24,600 miles out of those tires and only got rid of them because the rubber got too hard. So I'm a believer in CAI's and now I'm trying to figure which one is the best for my C7. 
I'm leaning towards the AFE or K&N dry baby's.
So I'm a believer in CAI's and now I'm trying to figure which one is the best for my C7. I'm leaning towards the AFE or K&N dry baby's.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 499
From: Northern Virginia
The stock air filter apparently flows enough air to supply the supercharged Z06. I seriously doubt changing just the air filter will accomplish anything more than the placebo effect. My car feels faster after I wash it. 