explain this verbiage? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

swagner · 01-02-2016, 08:46 PM

Going to order an air intake tonight. The CAI website says this.. "This results in inflated hp numbers that are to the crank, and do not represent real world performance gains" I'm pretty sure I want real world performance. If you had a stock 2LT what kind of intake would you buy?

Pete M · 01-02-2016, 08:56 PM

I put a K&N on mine, I really like it but after reading all the threads on here it seems as if CAI brand is the best.
Pair it with a scoop and a washer fluid bottle relocation kit and you will really reap the benefits..

swagner · 01-02-2016, 09:01 PM

Another question if cold air intakes are just naturally better for your car why aren't they stock?

trcsr · 01-02-2016, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagner

Another question if cold air intakes are just naturally better for your car why aren't they stock?

The answer to this is easy; cost! Just like a bunch of other aftermarket things that are better than stock, but are not included due to cost.

My question is this; I put a CAI on my '13 2LT and expected to get a lot of gains, as reported by many people on this forum. However, I have not experienced any of them; no increase in apparent power, no increase in mpg, and no change in sound from the engine. So far it seems to be a waste of money for me, like I should have obtained an aftermarket air filter for a fraction of the cost of the CAI.

pyroguy · 01-02-2016, 09:19 PM

Top two preferences on the forums always seem to be CAI and Roto-fab. The guys that have CAI think they're the best and the guys with Roto-fab (like me) think they're the best. You can't go wrong with either of them. Just depends on if you prefer an open or closed box design.

As for the question of why don't the stock intakes come like the aftermarket, look at the Z/28 vs. any of the other Camaros. The Z/28 is all performance based and every other Camaro is to appeal to the masses. Stock intakes are to get the car to appeal to the masses with baffles to muffle engine noise and perform well enough to get the job done. The Z/28 intake is all about air flow, the heck with engine noise.

swagner · 01-02-2016, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trcsr

The answer to this is easy; cost! Just like a bunch of other aftermarket things that are better than stock, but are not included due to cost.

My question is this; I put a CAI on my '13 2LT and expected to get a lot of gains, as reported by many people on this forum. However, I have not experienced any of them; no increase in apparent power, no increase in mpg, and no change in sound from the engine. So far it seems to be a waste of money for me, like I should have obtained an aftermarket air filter for a fraction of the cost of the CAI.

I hear this a lot. By no means do I have money to waste like some others so that makes me nervous. But even if I can just get better mpg it would be worth it.

swagner · 01-02-2016, 09:27 PM

Pyroguy that definitely makes sense

90503 · 01-02-2016, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagner

Going to order an air intake tonight. The CAI website says this.. "This results in inflated hp numbers that are to the crank, and do not represent real world performance gains" I'm pretty sure I want real world performance. If you had a stock 2LT what kind of intake would you buy?

It means they have before and after dyno pulls that show a few more hp...

They are not going to guarantee you will see more top end speed in the 1/4 mile, for instance, as a real world result...

It's a common mod, with uncommon expectations....

Go with the one that you think looks best when you pop the hood..

Mr_Draco · 01-02-2016, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagner

"This results in inflated hp numbers that are to the crank, and do not represent real world performance gains" I'm pretty sure I want real world performance.

This is because you can not duplicate real world conditions on a dyno or in a garage. The real world changes every minute and no two cars are the same. If you put two cars side by side on the street with the same mods and same intake, they will perform differently. This is why there is a disclaimer there.

Eddiefuzz · 01-02-2016, 10:18 PM

AIRAID FTW! Biggest Filter! Biggest Intake Tube!!

PDXSSCE · 01-02-2016, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trcsr

My question is this; I put a CAI on my '13 2LT and expected to get a lot of gains, as reported by many people on this forum. However, I have not experienced any of them; no increase in apparent power, no increase in mpg, and no change in sound from the engine. So far it seems to be a waste of money for me, like I should have obtained an aftermarket air filter for a fraction of the cost of the CAI.

I've been reading about CAIs for a few years. I installed one on the Challenger that I owned & installed one on the Camaro that I recently bought.

I believe it's an essential factor in increasing an engine's horsepower. Gaining a few ponies here & a few ponies there, add up in the grand scheme of things, but it's not the sole solution.

For the rest of us, who will most likely only install a CAI, it's more of a placebo effect. While it can increase power by 5-10 HP & possibly sound slightly louder due to the improved air flow, in reality, it's hardly a drastic difference.

Because I won't be doing additional performance modifications, I purchased the one for the Camaro, more as an appearance modification. Performance gains, if any, would be icing on the cake.

Silver14 · 01-02-2016, 10:22 PM

CAI is stating that their competitors products are tested in a way that overstates their effect. The part you pasted is about the competitors, not CAIs products.

"Horsepower Gains indicated is to the wheels (whp). CAI Inc. test our systems under real world driving conditions, and dyno test our products to the wheels with the hood closed. Many of our competitors test with the hood open, and under conditions that are not applicable to real world driving. This results in inflated hp numbers that are to the crank, and do not represent real world performance gains. CAI Inc. believes in bringing you the most accurate and applicable information possible, which is why we test the way we do."

swagner · 01-02-2016, 10:49 PM

No what I posted they were talking about themselves. It was a disclaimer right before submitting purchase.

ghosted · 01-02-2016, 10:55 PM

The purpose of a cold air intake it to supply cold (non engine bay) air to the engine. The K&N and many other brands fail to properly isolate the intake from the engine bay, which means they fail to fulfill their intended purpose. The CAI brand intake does fulfill this, as does the Roto-Fab, judging by this forum.

"The one that looks best when you pop your hood" is complete garbage advice. I've been modding cars since I was 15, and I'm now 31. A cold air intake is definitely one of the factors that goes into easy bolt-on gains, but most brands just give you a fat, shiny tube and the placebo effect. CAI actually isolates the filter, insulates the air box, and delivers cold air to the engine...all the while looking good doing it.

01-02-2016, 08:46 PM	#1
swagner Drives: 2015 2LT RS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Connecticut Posts: 309	explain this verbiage? Going to order an air intake tonight. The CAI website says this.. "This results in inflated hp numbers that are to the crank, and do not represent real world performance gains" I'm pretty sure I want real world performance. If you had a stock 2LT what kind of intake would you buy?

01-02-2016, 08:56 PM	#2
Pete M 9 Year USMC Vet Drives: 2014 1LT black on black Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Farmington, NC Posts: 730 View My Garage	I put a K&N on mine, I really like it but after reading all the threads on here it seems as if CAI brand is the best. Pair it with a scoop and a washer fluid bottle relocation kit and you will really reap the benefits.. __________________ A lot of stuff done so far to make it look better and be more fun to drive.....

01-02-2016, 09:19 PM	#5
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #832 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 7,079 View My Garage	Top two preferences on the forums always seem to be CAI and Roto-fab. The guys that have CAI think they're the best and the guys with Roto-fab (like me) think they're the best. You can't go wrong with either of them. Just depends on if you prefer an open or closed box design. As for the question of why don't the stock intakes come like the aftermarket, look at the Z/28 vs. any of the other Camaros. The Z/28 is all performance based and every other Camaro is to appeal to the masses. Stock intakes are to get the car to appeal to the masses with baffles to muffle engine noise and perform well enough to get the job done. The Z/28 intake is all about air flow, the heck with engine noise. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #832 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

01-02-2016, 10:18 PM	#10
Eddiefuzz Drives: 2011 RS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Florence New Jersey Posts: 1,125	AIRAID FTW! Biggest Filter! Biggest Intake Tube!! Attached Images

01-02-2016, 10:55 PM	#14
ghosted BCS Auto Drives: 2015 Camaro 1LS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,299 View My Garage	The purpose of a cold air intake it to supply cold (non engine bay) air to the engine. The K&N and many other brands fail to properly isolate the intake from the engine bay, which means they fail to fulfill their intended purpose. The CAI brand intake does fulfill this, as does the Roto-Fab, judging by this forum. "The one that looks best when you pop your hood" is complete garbage advice. I've been modding cars since I was 15, and I'm now 31. A cold air intake is definitely one of the factors that goes into easy bolt-on gains, but most brands just give you a fat, shiny tube and the placebo effect. CAI actually isolates the filter, insulates the air box, and delivers cold air to the engine...all the while looking good doing it. __________________ BCS Auto on Facebook - - - Follow me on Instagram @datv6tho & @officialbcsauto

01-02-2016, 09:01 PM	#3
swagner Drives: 2015 2LT RS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Connecticut Posts: 309	Another question if cold air intakes are just naturally better for your car why aren't they stock?

01-02-2016, 09:27 PM	#7
swagner Drives: 2015 2LT RS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Connecticut Posts: 309	Pyroguy that definitely makes sense

01-02-2016, 10:22 PM	#12
Silver14 Drives: 2014 SIM 2SS Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 925	CAI is stating that their competitors products are tested in a way that overstates their effect. The part you pasted is about the competitors, not CAIs products. "Horsepower Gains indicated is to the wheels (whp). CAI Inc. test our systems under real world driving conditions, and dyno test our products to the wheels with the hood closed. Many of our competitors test with the hood open, and under conditions that are not applicable to real world driving. This results in inflated hp numbers that are to the crank, and do not represent real world performance gains. CAI Inc. believes in bringing you the most accurate and applicable information possible, which is why we test the way we do."

01-02-2016, 10:49 PM	#13
swagner Drives: 2015 2LT RS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Connecticut Posts: 309	No what I posted they were talking about themselves. It was a disclaimer right before submitting purchase.