Building my own intake - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BowtieBelle · 08-19-2011, 08:36 AM

Hey all! Alright, so, yes, I'm a girl, but I do love a challenge, and as a lot of these intakes are expensive, I've done the math and some sketching, and I really believe that with some engineering on my part (and I have a couple of degrees, so I'm not a total idiot) I can build my own CAI for my girl at half the cost of these other intakes-- plus it'll be cool to say I did it, and unique. What are your thoughts on this? I can get the rolled aluminum from the local steel shop, have it bent at the muffler shop and add the other necessary parts. I have access to a tig welder. Has anyone ever undertaken a project like this? Words of wisdom would be fantastic

Camarowguy · 08-19-2011, 10:00 AM

Honestly I was going to do this before I bought my intake...I thought I had a 4" filter and I couldn't find it. So then I started pricing filters. When I figured out that a good filter was about $50-60 then I needed a couple 4" silicon couplers $10 each and tubing bends (about $60-$80) and then a stock airbox top to use (cutting it up) as a maf housing ($20) used.....I figured out real quick it would be better to buy a complete intake. I am definitely one to make my own stuff, but add that up...$180 in parts. I could spend not much more and get something nice. Now, I'm not trying to convince you not to do it by anymeans...I just wanted to throw that out there too you. Also, bending super thin tubing is going to pose a super challenge without the correct mandrel bending machine. You'll crush it with a normal bender. If you go ahead with it, report back and let's see it! Good luck!

dthomp2366 · 08-19-2011, 10:16 AM

I believe Spectre sells a build your own intake kit. Shouldn't be too hard but I would imagine alot of trial and error

rtcat600man · 08-19-2011, 10:30 AM

It has been tried before and usually without success. Spend a few more $$ and get a tried and tuned system.

I currently like the INJEN.

nyrfan · 08-19-2011, 10:40 AM

My guess is this would be a bit difficult and probably wind up costing you more in the end.

montreal2010yellow · 08-19-2011, 11:17 AM

IMO keep the filter box, you would only need to change the tubing for a bigger one and make an opening for the MAF. EOM air box is very effective but the tubing is not.

LLT'MARO · 08-19-2011, 01:24 PM

The hard part would be ensuring that the MAF is getting a proper read. I believe this was the downfall of the original airraid intake. You could possible reuse this part of the OEM intake and then piece together the rest of the system around it. Might as well make it a full CAI with some sort of duct under the valance or maybe to one of the fog lights.

Look at circle track NACA or brake ducts it's what I'm using on my LS1 swap car.

scrming · 08-21-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dthomp2366

I believe Spectre sells a build your own intake kit. Shouldn't be too hard but I would imagine alot of trial and error

Yes, they do...

Looked good..

BUT... ended up making LESS power!!! The tight turn caused issues at the higher RPMs... d'oah!

DarkneSS · 08-21-2011, 08:17 AM

I tried for S&Gs as part of a bet and it made me run about .7 tenths slower in the 1/4 LOLOLOL

More engineering goes into designing them than you'd think. However you say you have a few degrees and I personally love building stuff so I say go for it! Just dont expect much!

bmorecam · 08-21-2011, 08:32 AM

I'll give you some advice. Something very interesting our tuner vince stated the other day while he was tuning my AEM and talking about current intakes..try to get rid of the 90* elbow most intakes have in front of the throttle body and try to make the intake as short as you can. Velocity and alot of air is the key

Spicoli · 08-21-2011, 11:12 AM

I think it's an awesome idea. You might not get the performance gains of a manufactured system, but the satisfaction (and cool factor) that you did it yourself would make it worth it - IMO. If you decide to go ahead and give it a try, keep us posted, with lots of pics.

08-19-2011, 08:36 AM	#1
BowtieBelle They see me trollin'... Drives: 217 ci of fury; Chauffeured by SS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 13,876 View My Garage	Building my own intake Hey all! Alright, so, yes, I'm a girl, but I do love a challenge, and as a lot of these intakes are expensive, I've done the math and some sketching, and I really believe that with some engineering on my part (and I have a couple of degrees, so I'm not a total idiot) I can build my own CAI for my girl at half the cost of these other intakes-- plus it'll be cool to say I did it, and unique. What are your thoughts on this? I can get the rolled aluminum from the local steel shop, have it bent at the muffler shop and add the other necessary parts. I have access to a tig welder. Has anyone ever undertaken a project like this? Words of wisdom would be fantastic __________________ "Never race anything you can't afford to light on fire and push off a cliff." -CamaroSpike 2011 Custom LT/RS: Bella's Build Thread Last edited by BowtieBelle; 08-19-2011 at 08:58 AM.

08-19-2011, 10:00 AM	#2
Camarowguy Drives: 2011 imperial blue SS, black 92 RS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Denham Springs Posts: 2,580	Honestly I was going to do this before I bought my intake...I thought I had a 4" filter and I couldn't find it. So then I started pricing filters. When I figured out that a good filter was about $50-60 then I needed a couple 4" silicon couplers $10 each and tubing bends (about $60-$80) and then a stock airbox top to use (cutting it up) as a maf housing ($20) used.....I figured out real quick it would be better to buy a complete intake. I am definitely one to make my own stuff, but add that up...$180 in parts. I could spend not much more and get something nice. Now, I'm not trying to convince you not to do it by anymeans...I just wanted to throw that out there too you. Also, bending super thin tubing is going to pose a super challenge without the correct mandrel bending machine. You'll crush it with a normal bender. If you go ahead with it, report back and let's see it! Good luck! __________________ 2011 imperial blue SS/RS a6 12.43@112 vararam, tune, jba cats, magnaflow axle back, self ported tb, under drive pulley, NO headers, Stock tires. 1.87 60ft. Stock tires. SOLD :( 2000 1500 silverado extra cab SOLD :( 2017 Silverado 5.3 all stock 2004 5.7 GTO 78mm turbo

08-19-2011, 10:16 AM	#3
dthomp2366 Drives: 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Oxon Hill, MD Posts: 9	I believe Spectre sells a build your own intake kit. Shouldn't be too hard but I would imagine alot of trial and error __________________ 2008 SS/TC Black w/ Black Int. - LNF FTW Bad-Mab Downpipe \| K&N SRI \| Trifecta Tune @23psi \| Treadstone TR-8 Intercooler \| TTR Engine Mount \| Shorty Antenna \| Debadged Rear and Dash w/ Tinted Tails / Plasti Dip Rims Pioneer 6 3/4 - 6x9 components - Pioneer Center Channel Speaker - Polyfilled Stock Sub Box

08-19-2011, 10:30 AM	#4
rtcat600man having FUN now 13.66@101 Drives: 2010 2LT IOM Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clarkston, Michigan Posts: 9,230 View My Garage	It has been tried before and usually without success. Spend a few more $$ and get a tried and tuned system. I currently like the INJEN. __________________ MY BUILD

08-19-2011, 10:40 AM	#5
nyrfan Let's go Rangers! Drives: 13' AGM 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 10,742 View My Garage	My guess is this would be a bit difficult and probably wind up costing you more in the end. __________________ Soprano 4/1/00-6/14/11, Gone but NEVER forgotten! FSP tuned: 377/389

08-19-2011, 11:17 AM	#6
montreal2010yellow Drives: 2 LT/RS YELLOW, AUTO., VIN NO. 602 Join Date: May 2010 Location: LAVAL (10 min. north of Montreal), CANADA Posts: 3,526 View My Garage	IMO keep the filter box, you would only need to change the tubing for a bigger one and make an opening for the MAF. EOM air box is very effective but the tubing is not. __________________ T2 Facia, ACS TL1 Hood, ACS Winglets. G5CR CAI. Hotchsic Strut Brace and more...

08-19-2011, 01:24 PM	#7
LLT'MARO Drives: 2010 Camaro V6/6Spd Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 62	The hard part would be ensuring that the MAF is getting a proper read. I believe this was the downfall of the original airraid intake. You could possible reuse this part of the OEM intake and then piece together the rest of the system around it. Might as well make it a full CAI with some sort of duct under the valance or maybe to one of the fog lights. Look at circle track NACA or brake ducts it's what I'm using on my LS1 swap car.

08-21-2011, 08:17 AM	#9
DarkneSS Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS 6MT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Westchester, New York Posts: 3,715	I tried for S&Gs as part of a bet and it made me run about .7 tenths slower in the 1/4 LOLOLOL More engineering goes into designing them than you'd think. However you say you have a few degrees and I personally love building stuff so I say go for it! Just dont expect much!

08-21-2011, 08:32 AM	#10
bmorecam Account Suspended Drives: jealous vendors mad!! HAHA!! Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: CYBERGMONSTER@GMAIL.COM Posts: 3,658 View My Garage	I'll give you some advice. Something very interesting our tuner vince stated the other day while he was tuning my AEM and talking about current intakes..try to get rid of the 90* elbow most intakes have in front of the throttle body and try to make the intake as short as you can. Velocity and alot of air is the key

08-21-2011, 11:12 AM	#11
Spicoli Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SW Michigan Posts: 99 View My Garage	I think it's an awesome idea. You might not get the performance gains of a manufactured system, but the satisfaction (and cool factor) that you did it yourself would make it worth it - IMO. If you decide to go ahead and give it a try, keep us posted, with lots of pics. __________________ All I need are some tasty waves and a cool buzz and I'm fine (and of course a hot Camaro doesn't hurt).

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