How to: Install Cold Air Intake???

[pickwithaustin]

I have a question. I know that a cold air intake is a simple bolt on and I have no issues doing that, however... I'm confused on one of the connections.

See yellow circled area.

Now I know about installing the sensor in the port once the new tube is in place, but what about this additional air intake area? Where does that tube go and is there a need for it? I am assuming it is an engine vent of some sort?

Do the CAI, or similar, cold air intake kits include provision for this hookup?

Also, and final (second) question: Is it necessary to get a performance tune after going from stock to cold air intake system? Obviously it would be optimal to do, but is it an absolute necessity?

[45thAnniversary2SS]

Don't worry about the extra chambers on stock tube. Should take about 10 minutes.

You do not need a tune for a CAI.

[Indydriver]

Welcome to Camaro5.

That is the "clean side" fresh air vent. Your CAI will have a port on the tube for it and an extension hose to connect the two. If you buy a Clean Side Seperator, then that OE tube is removed, the port it is connected to is capped and the CAI tube port is connected to the CSS which is replacing your oil fill cap. Either way, fresh air is supplied into the clean side valve cover to assist with crankcase ventilation.

A CAI by itself won't throw a CEL which is the measure by which most people conclude it doesn't "require" a tune. I had a CAI on my engine when I went for headers and tune. After the baseline dyno run, my tuner said, "it was running quite a bit rich". So, would it help the car run better after you've altered the airflow to the MAF? I say yes. Do most people get one just for a CAI? No.

[pickwithaustin]

Thanks guys.
Also, which intake/brand do you all recommend? I said CAI, but am open to others. K&N maybe? What do you all feel is best overall?

[45thAnniversary2SS]

Originally Posted by pickwithaustin

Thanks guys.
Also, which intake/brand do you all recommend? I said CAI, but am open to others. K&N maybe? What do you all feel is best overall?

Not sure if there is a best, but CAI seems to be one of most popular. I have the AIRAID. It's pretty good, but the filter will get bent up if you're not careful. They mangled mine at the dealership. Would be nice to have one with enclosure around it as CAI does. K&N seems to be the least popular.

Apex Speed is awesome to deal with and are super quick. This thread should answer any questions:
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=244939

[Indydriver]

Originally Posted by pickwithaustin

Thanks guys.
Also, which intake/brand do you all recommend? I said CAI, but am open to others. K&N maybe? What do you all feel is best overall?

There are reasons CAI is the most popular brand. It has a well designed, sealed airbox, ceramic coated single pipe, proprietary filter design. It's a well thought out product. You cant go wrong with CAI.

Folks who are more concerned about dressing up the underhood tend to go with Roto-Fab for body color match. I wouldn't get too hung up on which one though. By the time all the boltons are installed and tuned, everybody ends up in pretty much the same place. Just don't expect much out of a single intake mod. You really need long tube headers and a tune to get real horsepower.

[pickwithaustin]

Thanks, Indydriver. I'm not as concerned about horsepower as most would be. I do want the better breathing it should provide and what I expect would be a more tuned growl of a sound vs. stock. It also will provide a more streamline look beneath the hood. A little horsepower too, of course, is never a bad thing also.