Is a CAI worth the investment on a SS? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

04Ram2500Hemi · 03-26-2010, 04:04 PM

So I’m still waiting on delivery for my Camaro SS, but I’ve already got a list of things I’m going to want to do to it (it’s pretty tame right now). I’m just wondering if a CAI is worth it on a Camaro SS? Are you guys seeing any real improvements from the performance aspect? Also, just how much louder does a CAI make the Camaro? I ask about the loud part because I have a CAI on my 04 Ram and it’s noticeably louder. I did pick up a little bit of performance from the CAI, but if I had it to do all over again, I’d probably skip it because of how loud the truck is. To me the Camaro seems just about right on the noise level from what I remember, so I don’t want it to be dramatically louder.
Any thoughts/suggestions you can give a Noob would be appreciated.

Bowtie Junkman · 03-26-2010, 04:09 PM

I just put one on my SS last weekend and HOLY CRAP! The sound is night and day! It is noticably louder ... it even made the stock exhaust louder!

If you want to know about performance gains .... stay tuned to my other thread in the "Tuning" section. We put the Diablosport Predator tuner on my car last Saturday at OCD Customs and did a baseline (stock) dyno run and then picked up a peak of 20hp from the install of the programmer alone. This week I added the K&N Aircharger and Edelbrock x-pipe (L99 car) and GMPP off-road axle-back. I am going back tomorrow to do some more pulls ....

caverman · 03-26-2010, 04:10 PM

I would do it. I waited till mine had over 500 just to let it break in some but you wouldn't have to. I did notice a little increase in sound but not a whole bunch. Then again if you feel like the factory exhaust is loud enough for you then you'll think the CAI will be louder.

Factory exhaust was way to quiet for me. I drove to the muffler shop directly from the dealership.

BTW: Halltech is the way to go IMO.....

DaveT · 03-26-2010, 04:38 PM

Yes!

RedJewel2SS · 03-26-2010, 05:30 PM

1. improved air flow with a straight intake pipe and no huge resonators attached.
2. cone filters flow A LOT more air than panel filers.
3. cotton filters flow more air than paper filters.

more air flow = more horsepower = faster acceleration

so yes, a cold air intake is worth the $300-$500

Darth_Emma · 03-26-2010, 06:06 PM

I just got my CAI intake yesterday. I'll be installing it tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think after it's in.

wirebender · 03-26-2010, 06:09 PM

ABSOLUTELY. It is worth it IMO!

1DERZ SS · 03-26-2010, 09:18 PM

Its a must have..

BackinBlackSS/RS · 03-26-2010, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

I just got my CAI intake yesterday. I'll be installing it tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think after it's in.

Emma FTW!!!

Darth_Emma · 03-27-2010, 07:48 PM

My CAI intake is in. (A big thanks to 1 RD JEWL for all his help.)

All I can say to the OP is, "DO IT!!!" OMG does my car sound fantastic now. It sounds the same as before at idle, but just step on the accelerator and 1) there is no hesitation, it takes off FAST (noticeably faster than before) and 2) it makes an ever-so-satisfying ROAR! Gives me goose bumps! DO it do it do it!!!!

Jferrell88 · 03-27-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

My CAI intake is in. (A big thanks to 1 RD JEWL for all his help.)

All I can say to you is, "DO IT!!!" OMG does my car sound fantastic now. It sounds the same as before at idle, but just step on the accelerator and 1) there is no hesitation, it takes off FAST (noticeably faster than before) and 2) it makes an ever-so-satisfying ROAR! Gives me goose bumps! DO it do it do it!!!!

yes get one glad you got one i cant wait for my rotofab to get here.

ron10 · 03-27-2010, 09:17 PM

yes

riverrattcom · 03-27-2010, 09:32 PM

I got a Roto-Fab. Its Awesome!

Sounds awesome.

It takes off harder with a CAI.

Camaro21 · 03-27-2010, 09:37 PM

ADM Performance Street Intake all the way !!

03-26-2010, 04:04 PM	#1
04Ram2500Hemi Drives: 04 Ram 2500 & 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Missoula, Montana Posts: 1,301	Is a CAI worth the investment on a SS? So I’m still waiting on delivery for my Camaro SS, but I’ve already got a list of things I’m going to want to do to it (it’s pretty tame right now). I’m just wondering if a CAI is worth it on a Camaro SS? Are you guys seeing any real improvements from the performance aspect? Also, just how much louder does a CAI make the Camaro? I ask about the loud part because I have a CAI on my 04 Ram and it’s noticeably louder. I did pick up a little bit of performance from the CAI, but if I had it to do all over again, I’d probably skip it because of how loud the truck is. To me the Camaro seems just about right on the noise level from what I remember, so I don’t want it to be dramatically louder. Any thoughts/suggestions you can give a Noob would be appreciated.

03-26-2010, 04:10 PM	#3
caverman Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 7,111	I would do it. I waited till mine had over 500 just to let it break in some but you wouldn't have to. I did notice a little increase in sound but not a whole bunch. Then again if you feel like the factory exhaust is loud enough for you then you'll think the CAI will be louder. Factory exhaust was way to quiet for me. I drove to the muffler shop directly from the dealership. BTW: Halltech is the way to go IMO..... Attached Images __________________ *-2010 Camaro* 2SS \| M6 \| VR w/White Stripes \| 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow \| LPE 3.91 gears \| ADM tuned \| Halltech w/ADM Scoop \| Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod \| BC Coilovers\| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars \| Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings \| VMax TB \| Morimoto Projectors \| MGW shifter \| Red Calipers Build Journal

03-26-2010, 05:30 PM	#5
RedJewel2SS 12.23s@113mph Drives: 2SS/RS, A6, just a few bolt ons Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,197	1. improved air flow with a straight intake pipe and no huge resonators attached. 2. cone filters flow A LOT more air than panel filers. 3. cotton filters flow more air than paper filters. more air flow = more horsepower = faster acceleration so yes, a cold air intake is worth the $300-$500 __________________ RIP Cammie 7/15/2009 - 4/1/2011

03-26-2010, 09:18 PM	#8
1DERZ SS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: North East, PA (the town) Posts: 327 View My Garage	Its a must have.. __________________ Friday the 13th was a lucky day for me ! 2010 Camaro SS Inferno Orange Came home on 11/13/2009 2011 Silverado 2500 HD Crew LTZ 11/17/2010

03-27-2010, 07:48 PM	#10
Darth_Emma Psssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh! Drives: under contruction Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Marysville, Ohio Posts: 12,996 View My Garage	My CAI intake is in. (A big thanks to 1 RD JEWL for all his help.) All I can say to the OP is, "DO IT!!!" OMG does my car sound fantastic now. It sounds the same as before at idle, but just step on the accelerator and 1) there is no hesitation, it takes off FAST (noticeably faster than before) and 2) it makes an ever-so-satisfying ROAR! Gives me goose bumps! DO it do it do it!!!! Last edited by Darth_Emma; 03-27-2010 at 09:19 PM.

03-26-2010, 04:09 PM	#2
Bowtie Junkman Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Long Beach CA Posts: 287 View My Garage	I just put one on my SS last weekend and HOLY CRAP! The sound is night and day! It is noticably louder ... it even made the stock exhaust louder! If you want to know about performance gains .... stay tuned to my other thread in the "Tuning" section. We put the Diablosport Predator tuner on my car last Saturday at OCD Customs and did a baseline (stock) dyno run and then picked up a peak of 20hp from the install of the programmer alone. This week I added the K&N Aircharger and Edelbrock x-pipe (L99 car) and GMPP off-road axle-back. I am going back tomorrow to do some more pulls ....

03-26-2010, 04:38 PM	#4
DaveT Drives: 2010 2SS CGM LS3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 236	Yes!

03-26-2010, 06:06 PM	#6
Darth_Emma Psssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh! Drives: under contruction Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Marysville, Ohio Posts: 12,996 View My Garage	I just got my CAI intake yesterday. I'll be installing it tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think after it's in.

03-26-2010, 06:09 PM	#7
wirebender Drives: 2017 ZL1, A10, White, sunroof, nav Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 720 View My Garage	ABSOLUTELY. It is worth it IMO!

03-27-2010, 09:17 PM	#12
ron10 Drives: 2010 2SS IOM L99 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: LOUISVILLE,KY.. Posts: 7,545	yes

03-27-2010, 09:32 PM	#13
riverrattcom Drives: 2010 2SS RS SIM Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 270 View My Garage	I got a Roto-Fab. Its Awesome! Sounds awesome. It takes off harder with a CAI.

03-27-2010, 09:37 PM	#14
Camaro21 Drives: SOLD - 2013 M6 ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 5,041 View My Garage	ADM Performance Street Intake all the way !! Attached Images

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