CAI question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 243
Likes: 59
From: Benicia CA
CAI question
I read a lot of posts about improving performance with a cold air intake system. I understand the concept of getting colder air to the engine but isn't the stock intake a cold air intake? It brings in air from the fender area. How is an aftermarket set getting cooler air than the stock system? What am I missing?
Thanks.
Joe
Thanks.
Joe
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 491
From: Southern California
No you aren’t missing anything. Many folks are adamant that an aftermarket intake yields a few extra ponies but this a much debated topic, I’m sure that there will be many interesting comments.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 952
Likes: 337
From: Cedar Rapids IA
Since you have a Z06, I believe there are some gains to be had from a less restrictive flow path, but if I recall you already should have the GM "Jake" filter assembly on that Hertz version, which has somewhat enhanced airflow vs. stock. There may be a little more to be had with an AFE or Halltech but the dollars invested will not yield a much larger return. If mine, I would leave it as is. Either of those alternatives will not get you cooler air, just slightly lower restriction from larger filter elements, as they draw from the same place as the stock system.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
Nothing. The OEM intake is a "cold air' type, its just the plumbing and filter are slightly restrictive. On the N/A engines these aftermarket solutions don't do much of anything (they look nice I guess), but the supercharged engines benefit more for what I've read around here.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 54
Likes: 25
From: Vancouver, British Columbia
Chevrolet Performance is now offering an official Corvette intake for the C7 (seventh-generation Corvette).
Power Gains
Chevrolet’s official C7 Corvette air intake delivers a higher-flowing induction system that uses a “dry media” filter. The part can raise the Corvette’s output by as much as 17 horsepower, depending on the model:- Corvette models with the 6.2L V8 LT1 engine – the Stingray, Stingray with the Z51 package and Grand Sport – do not see any gains on the dyno, but do enjoy 30 percent less restrictive flow rate
- Corvette models with the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 engine – the Corvette Z06 – see an 11 horsepower gain
- Corvette models equipped with the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT5 engine – the Corvette ZR1 – see an increase of 17 horsepower
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,048
Likes: 1,475
From: South Florida
If you already have the GM Performance Intake then don't waste your money on an aftermarket intake. If you don't have the GM intake then get a BMS drop in filter for the stock LT4 airbox. Then add a Mamo ported TB and call it a day. If you want to tune the car then my advice will be different.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 26,512
Likes: 351
From: ST. CHARLES IL
I'll agree you won't see much for power gains on the Stingrays until you start getting into engine work or boost. The Z06 on the other hand has some power to gain over the factory intake. The aftermarket intakes usually have more intake tube volume, high flowing filters and less overall restriction. We've seen gains over 20rwhp on the Lt4s, those blowers need all the air they can get.
We are offering intake installs with before and after dyno pulls for $75 if anyone is interested. We'd like to see more intake only dyno results.
We are offering intake installs with before and after dyno pulls for $75 if anyone is interested. We'd like to see more intake only dyno results.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 344
From: Albuquerque NM
I'll agree you won't see much for power gains on the Stingrays until you start getting into engine work or boost. The Z06 on the other hand has some power to gain over the factory intake. The aftermarket intakes usually have more intake tube volume, high flowing filters and less overall restriction. We've seen gains over 20rwhp on the Lt4s, those blowers need all the air they can get.
We are offering intake installs with before and after dyno pulls for $75 if anyone is interested. We'd like to see more intake only dyno results.
We are offering intake installs with before and after dyno pulls for $75 if anyone is interested. We'd like to see more intake only dyno results.
To the OP: The Z06 is intake restricted with the stock (base motor) intake. With the GM Jake intake it should be some better but the Halltech and probably the AFE will blow it out of the water. The Halltech CAI made over 40 MORE SAE RWHP than stock on my Z. That's with stock tune, no other changes
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 409
Likes: 91
I agree with what everyone else has said about hp gains with a CAI. However, I'll give you something else to consider...I installed a Vararam more out of a desire to clean up the engine compartment than hoping to gain power. It did exactly that and you can hear the engine breath so much better without all those factory chambers. I think the OE system was designed to mute the intake sound. With the Vararam installed I can hear the music coming out of the intake and it's every bit as nice as what comes from the tail pipes. Oh and the engine bay looks much less cluttered.
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 281
Likes: 23
From: Harrison Arkansas