CAI differences (?) - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

amboy49 · 06-23-2017, 05:33 PM

Is there really that much difference in Cold Aid Intake products ? I see recommendations for aftermarket CAI products for upwards of $400 and more. And I also see CAI products for as low as $80 including shipping on eBay.

Is there a greater degree of effectiveness with the higher priced items ? I've also wondered if some products are an easier install than others ? In some of the product information it speaks to ease of installation without modifying anything and being able to use the factory windshield bottle washer location. Conversely, on the less expensive models it doesn't seem to address ease of installation.

Like everyone else, I assume, I'm looking for the most effective product at a reasonable price that is basically "plug' play" without having to do much in the way of custom fitting or engine bay modification.

Thanks in advance.

Cenafan85 · 06-23-2017, 06:01 PM

There's tons of threads on here that show the differences of the cold air intakes. I think the CAI one had the most effectiveness for the cars.

sherob · 06-23-2017, 06:10 PM

Sometimes you get what you pay for... sometimes you don't. Like mentioned above... there are a ton of threads on the differences. I have a Chevy Performance Z28 in mine.

G701LE · 06-23-2017, 06:21 PM

Find the Jannetty Racing comparison!

The Wanderer · 06-23-2017, 06:40 PM

I bought the cold air induction and I am very happy ��

Jazzzed · 06-23-2017, 07:05 PM

I personally believe they are all the same. Yes, there have been comparisons where one brand might have better numbers than another, but where is that difference in the power curve? None of the testing shows that. So intake A might give you 3 more HP than intake B, but if that is at 6900 rpm, then who cares? I mostly drive below 6900 rpm.

That said, I'd stay away from the $80 ebay ones as those do seem to cause issues. But any of the quality brands that people discuss up here will be fine.

SynergyGreenSS · 06-23-2017, 07:12 PM

Like others have said, buy a quality name brand Intake that you think looks good. You won't feel any difference in performance so really it comes down to what you think looks good in your engine bay

Gunmetal Speedster · 06-23-2017, 07:48 PM

Here is Janetty's independent testing results in a Google doc spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...Ae4/edit#gid=0

CAI gets my vote

Spec · 06-23-2017, 08:46 PM

If you've got a 10/11 (radiator cap in the center), you can get the Vararam Ram Air... which was a nice boost in performance from my K&N CAI.

CAI is probably the best cone/tube setup... especially with the scoop. But there is nothing like Ram Air...

PeteD · 06-23-2017, 09:05 PM

Heat soak, looks, fitment, easy of install to name a few

Dezines · 06-23-2017, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spec

If you've got a 10/11 (radiator cap in the center), you can get the Vararam Ram Air... which was a nice boost in performance from my K&N CAI.

CAI is probably the best cone/tube setup... especially with the scoop. But there is nothing like Ram Air...

I just installed my Vararam Ram Air yesterday. I am still in the adjustment period, they say no performance driving in first 30 mi and adjustments will occur during the first 200 or so... so I am not looking at performance yet but MAN THE SOUND DIFFERENCE IS AWESOME!!!

Whoomba · 06-23-2017, 09:23 PM

OlePhu · 06-24-2017, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunmetal Speedster

Here is Janetty's independent testing results in a Google doc spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...Ae4/edit#gid=0

CAI gets my vote

Mine too! Tried Airaid/K&N, was not impressed ... actually disappointed. CAI sounds better, feels better, better engineering not just a generic fit. $80 for a filter on a tube ... PM me and I'll give you my paypal account so you throw your money my way.

riozlander · 06-24-2017, 12:05 PM

They way I was taught about CAI In auto shop is its a waist of cash unless the air filer is in it own protective cover away from Heat soak when the hood is closed.

On a rolling dyno out teacher had set up he explained alot of times you have to have powerful fans pointed at the front of the car to keep from overheating when doing runs with the hood up. So systems with a exposed filter were just hot air suckers only seeing gains on dyno because of the open hood with cold air being blown at it but shutting the hood and using a gauge to measure the temp after sitting at a light or traffic, he asked us just how much cold air are you getting or are you just buying something that looks pretty.
Do you get performance from a CAI yup! But id be suspected of cheap crap with a open air filter thats not enclosed In some kinda protection against heat soak

And by protection I mean ones that say cold air with a open filter that just sits in the bay and not by some kinda opening for cold air and heat to be vented threw.

I dont doubt performance from manufacturers just the WORD cold air intake

06-23-2017, 05:33 PM	#1
amboy49 Drives: Beginning a search to buy Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indiana Posts: 42	CAI differences (?) Is there really that much difference in Cold Aid Intake products ? I see recommendations for aftermarket CAI products for upwards of $400 and more. And I also see CAI products for as low as $80 including shipping on eBay. Is there a greater degree of effectiveness with the higher priced items ? I've also wondered if some products are an easier install than others ? In some of the product information it speaks to ease of installation without modifying anything and being able to use the factory windshield bottle washer location. Conversely, on the less expensive models it doesn't seem to address ease of installation. Like everyone else, I assume, I'm looking for the most effective product at a reasonable price that is basically "plug' play" without having to do much in the way of custom fitting or engine bay modification. Thanks in advance.

06-23-2017, 06:01 PM	#2
Cenafan85 Drives: 2014 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Roc NY Posts: 503	There's tons of threads on here that show the differences of the cold air intakes. I think the CAI one had the most effectiveness for the cars. __________________ 2014 Camaro BLK 2LS, MRT 2 exhaust,CAI,Anzo projector headlights,Morimoto HID,Aftermarket fog lights,RS tail lights, Strut tower brace.

06-23-2017, 06:10 PM	#3
sherob Drives: 2015 SW 1SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 2,736	Sometimes you get what you pay for... sometimes you don't. Like mentioned above... there are a ton of threads on the differences. I have a Chevy Performance Z28 in mine. __________________ “The Eagles and the Captain and Tennille ruled the airwaves, and we were the answer to it.” - Joey Ramone

06-23-2017, 06:21 PM	#4
G701LE Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 IBM silver stipes Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: K.C. Kansas Posts: 1,329 View My Garage	Find the Jannetty Racing comparison! __________________ 2010 Imperial Blue w/ Silver stripes 2SS/RS L99 Mods = Not enough....

06-23-2017, 07:12 PM	#7
SynergyGreenSS Drives: 2011 2SS Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 1,333	Like others have said, buy a quality name brand Intake that you think looks good. You won't feel any difference in performance so really it comes down to what you think looks good in your engine bay __________________ 2011 SS L99 LSA Supercharger, BTR Stage 3 PDS Cam, Yank 3200SS, Weapon X Stage 2 intake, LSA Heads, Flex Fuel, Ported throttle body, Speed Engineering Headers, NOWEEDS, ZL1 fuel pump, DSX AUX Pump, ID-1050X injectors, 3” pipe to NPP mufflers, 3.91 gears

06-23-2017, 06:40 PM	#5
The Wanderer Drives: Blaze Red 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: WV Posts: 85	I bought the cold air induction and I am very happy ��

06-23-2017, 07:05 PM	#6
Jazzzed Drives: 2015 Camaro LT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Fox Lake, IL Posts: 393	I personally believe they are all the same. Yes, there have been comparisons where one brand might have better numbers than another, but where is that difference in the power curve? None of the testing shows that. So intake A might give you 3 more HP than intake B, but if that is at 6900 rpm, then who cares? I mostly drive below 6900 rpm. That said, I'd stay away from the $80 ebay ones as those do seem to cause issues. But any of the quality brands that people discuss up here will be fine.

06-23-2017, 07:48 PM	#8
Gunmetal Speedster Drives: Savitar; The 500rwhp N/A Monster! Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 2,914 View My Garage	Here is Janetty's independent testing results in a Google doc spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...Ae4/edit#gid=0 CAI gets my vote __________________ **SOLD504HP/433**TQ \| Night Fury cammed • Cold Air Inductions intake • Bo White ported TB • Speed Engineering 1 7/8 longtubes • NPP catback • QTP low profile cutouts • Powerbond 25% UDP • 3.73 gears • JRE scoop • ZL1 grille • R1 Concepts drilled/slotted rotors • built/tuned by Weapon X Motorsports Instagram \| YouTube \| Build Thread

06-23-2017, 08:46 PM	#9
Spec Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 4,018	If you've got a 10/11 (radiator cap in the center), you can get the Vararam Ram Air... which was a nice boost in performance from my K&N CAI. CAI is probably the best cone/tube setup... especially with the scoop. But there is nothing like Ram Air...

06-23-2017, 09:05 PM	#10
PeteD Drives: 2012 2SS Victory Red with white st Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: NC Posts: 1,612	Heat soak, looks, fitment, easy of install to name a few __________________ My YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCid...AUbfN2HOE71B9w

06-23-2017, 09:23 PM	#12
Whoomba Drives: 2024 Camaro 2SS CE Convertible Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 1,450

06-24-2017, 12:05 PM	#14
riozlander that guy <-------- Drives: 2012 camaro V6 LS M6 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: southern Commiefornia Posts: 730	They way I was taught about CAI In auto shop is its a waist of cash unless the air filer is in it own protective cover away from Heat soak when the hood is closed. On a rolling dyno out teacher had set up he explained alot of times you have to have powerful fans pointed at the front of the car to keep from overheating when doing runs with the hood up. So systems with a exposed filter were just hot air suckers only seeing gains on dyno because of the open hood with cold air being blown at it but shutting the hood and using a gauge to measure the temp after sitting at a light or traffic, he asked us just how much cold air are you getting or are you just buying something that looks pretty. Do you get performance from a CAI yup! But id be suspected of cheap crap with a open air filter thats not enclosed In some kinda protection against heat soak And by protection I mean ones that say cold air with a open filter that just sits in the bay and not by some kinda opening for cold air and heat to be vented threw. I dont doubt performance from manufacturers just the WORD cold air intake