Replace air intake tube, keep factory air box? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

econ · 12-11-2024, 12:09 AM

So I have no problem with the OEM air box and filter.

However, I do not like the tube....at all.

The huge chambers on the passenger's side. The handle looking mini chamber on the driver's side.

I really like the tube on some of the aftermarket cold air intake kits.

I got to thinking, maybe I can get a tube to replace the OEM tube. One that is insulated to not absorb hot air. A nice hookup for the valve cover breather. One that is just a tube. No chambers. Hooks up to the throttle body and OEM air box.

Such a thing exist?

Or do I have to do a complete swap to an aftermarket cold air intake kit?

One thing about the cold air intake kits that I don't like is the air filter. I don't buy into K&N as being a good filter. I've seen more than a few K&N filters and oiled cotton gauze filters in general that let by a lot of dust.

ABM2SS · 12-11-2024, 08:45 AM

The chambers on the factory piping are for NVH improvements. The Engine Air Filtration Engineers that I have worked with refer to K&N and other "performance" Air Filters as "Rock Catchers" because they only prevent the larger dust particles from entering the intake. The smaller particles can get past your Piston Rings and lead to wear on Bearings.

1JEWLDSSRS · 12-11-2024, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABM2SS

The chambers on the factory piping are for NVH improvements. The Engine Air Filtration Engineers that I have worked with refer to K&N and other "performance" Air Filters as "Rock Catchers" because they only prevent the larger dust particles from entering the intake. The smaller particles can get past your Piston Rings and lead to wear on Bearings.

Well I guess my engine is worn out then. 131k miles and 13 years using the K&N Typhoon kit!!

redcoats1976 · 12-11-2024, 04:10 PM

call me crazy but GM spent more money designing a good airbox/tube/filter than i have to spend on a mod that may or may not make more horsepower. still running the stock ones.

Bobnoxious1 · 12-11-2024, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcoats1976

call me crazy but GM spent more money designing a good airbox/tube/filter than i have to spend on a mod that may or may not make more horsepower. still running the stock ones.

While I can't disagree with the logic here. I am a fan of my CAI.

econ · 12-11-2024, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcoats1976

call me crazy but GM spent more money designing a good airbox/tube/filter than i have to spend on a mod that may or may not make more horsepower. still running the stock ones.

The tube and all of it's chambers is quite silly if you ask me. Although I like the box and filter. If I could find a new tube that was smooth, insulated, had the hookup for the breather I would be all over it. Unfortunately, nobody seems to be in the business of making something like this. I could go the universal route, but thats going to be tough since it's not just a simple 90. It looks like it will take a couple of bends to line up perfectly with the factory box. And no breather fitting.

2010sgm · 12-12-2024, 07:27 AM

I did this with airaid and i also removed silencer off airbox as well...

2014 2LT RS · 12-12-2024, 07:52 AM

Here's a K&N intake tube and replacement filter for the stock airbox. It's even on sale. You don't have to use the K&N filter if you don't like it but I don't think you can buy just the tube.
https://www.knfilters.com/57-3074-pe...-intake-system

ABM2SS · 12-12-2024, 08:04 AM

Quote:

131k miles and 13 years using the K&N Typhoon kit!

1JEWLDSSRS, when you get to the 311,000 miles like I have on my car now, let me know.

hesster · 12-12-2024, 08:34 AM

If you are not using this on your aftermarket Air Filters, then you will have issues.
And all of those "Chambers" on the Air Intake Tube were purposely designed by the GM wizards in an attempt to draw the eye and just look uglier than the LS Engine itself....

Hetfield03 · 12-12-2024, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobnoxious1

While I can't disagree with the logic here. I am a fan of my CAI.

Nice engine cover! Was yours done by River City Creations in San Antonio?

TheBrightSide · 12-12-2024, 09:46 AM

As far as I’m concerned, K&N and Airaid both have their “modular” intake pipes, but Airaid is CARB legal; that’s what I’m running. They also have their whole setup with their intake shielding and filter, but I just wanted the modular intake pipe only. Only other thing I have is a dry drop-in air filter by Green Filter. I’ve ran oiled filters by K&N, but I found one for cheaper on sale.

Oiled filters are kinda tricky, and it’s a fine middle ground between under-oiling and over-oiling. Dry filters catch less debris, but you don’t have the risk of catching excess oil from the filter itself, and throwing off the MAF sensor, as well as adding some gunk to the intake system. Other than that, I’d run a paper filter any day without a complaint; I just liked getting rid of the factory intake pipe, with the resonator and all (kinda obstructive to air flow.

Only other intake I’ve enjoyed running, is the aFe Momentum intake. It’s in an enclosed airbox, but uses a cone filter, just like any average ram or cold air intake system. The airbox it comes with, has a cutout for extra flow, and it comes with an optional piece to block it off with. I usually am peculiar about the extra debris pickup with open, exposed filter elements, so I usually add an intake sock; basically a “pre-filter” (usually water resistant, but not water PROOF).

Either way, if you have a V8 model, most of the gains in my opinion, are from the factory intake manifold being ported, and keeping the stock airbox with a modular intake tube/pipe. The stock throttle body being ported or not, is kinda not so big on gains in my opinion; so with the aforementioned mods, a 102 or 103mm throttle body upgrade would work best there. A true 4” inch intake setup would also work the best, if you ditch the factory airbox at that point, which I’ve been considering going back to.

DRC69 · 12-12-2024, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hetfield03

Nice engine cover! Was yours done by River City Creations in San Antonio?

Hi,
Do you like your Airaid setup? I don't see any seal around the box, is that OK?

Hetfield03 · 12-12-2024, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRC69

Hi,
Do you like your Airaid setup? I don't see any seal around the box, is that OK?

I like it fine I guess. Its not as pretty as the others, but it gets the job done.

If I had to do over again, Id get the enclosed one simply because it looks neat and cleaner. But not because of any performance differences.

12-11-2024, 12:09 AM	#1
econ Drives: 2013 2ss Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: oregon Posts: 152	Replace air intake tube, keep factory air box? So I have no problem with the OEM air box and filter. However, I do not like the tube....at all. The huge chambers on the passenger's side. The handle looking mini chamber on the driver's side. I really like the tube on some of the aftermarket cold air intake kits. I got to thinking, maybe I can get a tube to replace the OEM tube. One that is insulated to not absorb hot air. A nice hookup for the valve cover breather. One that is just a tube. No chambers. Hooks up to the throttle body and OEM air box. Such a thing exist? Or do I have to do a complete swap to an aftermarket cold air intake kit? One thing about the cold air intake kits that I don't like is the air filter. I don't buy into K&N as being a good filter. I've seen more than a few K&N filters and oiled cotton gauze filters in general that let by a lot of dust. Last edited by econ; 12-11-2024 at 12:22 AM.

12-12-2024, 07:27 AM	#7
2010sgm Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 649 View My Garage	I did this with airaid and i also removed silencer off airbox as well... Attached Images __________________ David Vianu 2010 Synergy Green 1LT

12-12-2024, 07:52 AM	#8
2014 2LT RS Drives: 2014 Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 18	Here's a K&N intake tube and replacement filter for the stock airbox. It's even on sale. You don't have to use the K&N filter if you don't like it but I don't think you can buy just the tube. https://www.knfilters.com/57-3074-pe...-intake-system Last edited by 2014 2LT RS; 12-12-2024 at 08:03 AM.

12-12-2024, 08:34 AM	#10
hesster Drives: '10 T/A Conv, '10 2SS, '77 SE T/A Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 887 View My Garage	If you are not using this on your aftermarket Air Filters, then you will have issues. And all of those "Chambers" on the Air Intake Tube were purposely designed by the GM wizards in an attempt to draw the eye and just look uglier than the LS Engine itself.... Attached Images

12-11-2024, 08:45 AM	#2
ABM2SS Drives: 2010 SS M6 ABM Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Nashville, IN Posts: 368	The chambers on the factory piping are for NVH improvements. The Engine Air Filtration Engineers that I have worked with refer to K&N and other "performance" Air Filters as "Rock Catchers" because they only prevent the larger dust particles from entering the intake. The smaller particles can get past your Piston Rings and lead to wear on Bearings.

12-11-2024, 04:10 PM	#4
redcoats1976 Drives: LT W/2LT,blue metallic Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: central florida Posts: 5,023	call me crazy but GM spent more money designing a good airbox/tube/filter than i have to spend on a mod that may or may not make more horsepower. still running the stock ones.

12-12-2024, 09:46 AM	#12
TheBrightSide Drives: 2010 Chevy Camaro 2SS coupe (MT) Join Date: Jan 2024 Location: Sacramento, CA - USA Posts: 368	As far as I’m concerned, K&N and Airaid both have their “modular” intake pipes, but Airaid is CARB legal; that’s what I’m running. They also have their whole setup with their intake shielding and filter, but I just wanted the modular intake pipe only. Only other thing I have is a dry drop-in air filter by Green Filter. I’ve ran oiled filters by K&N, but I found one for cheaper on sale. Oiled filters are kinda tricky, and it’s a fine middle ground between under-oiling and over-oiling. Dry filters catch less debris, but you don’t have the risk of catching excess oil from the filter itself, and throwing off the MAF sensor, as well as adding some gunk to the intake system. Other than that, I’d run a paper filter any day without a complaint; I just liked getting rid of the factory intake pipe, with the resonator and all (kinda obstructive to air flow. Only other intake I’ve enjoyed running, is the aFe Momentum intake. It’s in an enclosed airbox, but uses a cone filter, just like any average ram or cold air intake system. The airbox it comes with, has a cutout for extra flow, and it comes with an optional piece to block it off with. I usually am peculiar about the extra debris pickup with open, exposed filter elements, so I usually add an intake sock; basically a “pre-filter” (usually water resistant, but not water PROOF). Either way, if you have a V8 model, most of the gains in my opinion, are from the factory intake manifold being ported, and keeping the stock airbox with a modular intake tube/pipe. The stock throttle body being ported or not, is kinda not so big on gains in my opinion; so with the aforementioned mods, a 102 or 103mm throttle body upgrade would work best there. A true 4” inch intake setup would also work the best, if you ditch the factory airbox at that point, which I’ve been considering going back to.