"Cheaper" Intakes Question

[ATX_SS]

I am seeing all these no name brand intakes on Ebay (links below) but wanted to know your options on these things. I mean they have the same concept - elbow, housing/shield, cone. So what, if any, would be the performance difference from a $400 Volant, Airaid, K & N, Cold Air Inductions, etc. from one of these? These seem legit in terms of overall design. I could see the major difference being the quality of the filter itself. Truth is a lot of these smaller parts are fabricated and made overseas and some are the same parts or made in the same factories! I'm sure there is some variance in overall quality such as cheaper plastic. I do understand you get what you pay for but the range ($150-$500) is a little thought provoking. Thoughts?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-2015-C...xYHQ90&vxp=mtr

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-2010-20...paFdOE&vxp=mtr

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-BLACK-Hea...FWe0n9&vxp=mtr

[Mr. Hyde]

Having just installed the C.A.I. setup, it was easy and the parts fit well. The heat shield dropped right in and lined up with the sheet metal in the engine bay. Cheaper kits may not fit as well and of course use cheaper quality parts. Lesson learned, I used a cheap eBay kit on my truck and it was ok, but didn't fit near as well as my buddy's Volant. The cheaper kits will work, get air to the engine etc but I suppose it depends on the individual's level of OCD. I wanted a clean look and tight, straight fit...which I got with the C.A.I. unit. I promise I don't work for them lol...just sharing my worthless $.02

[go_go_gadget88]

IMO, if cost is an issue, I would look into a lightly used, (but known brand) intake over a new but cheap kit

I bought a Rotofab CAI off a member here for $200 shipped. It is 1 small scratch away from looking brand new. And while cheap, I got a well made one that fits perfect, and looks pretty much new after cleaning.

If I had to do it again, I would do the same thing.. I have bought a cheap ebay kit for a previous vehicle. While it "worked", sure..there is a very noticeable difference in quality.

You have a nice ride man, I'd spend the little bit more for nice parts to compliment it. Just my 2 cents

[ATX_SS]

Originally Posted by Mr. Hyde

Having just installed the C.A.I. setup, it was easy and the parts fit well. The heat shield dropped right in and lined up with the sheet metal in the engine bay. Cheaper kits may not fit as well and of course use cheaper quality parts. Lesson learned, I used a cheap eBay kit on my truck and it was ok, but didn't fit near as well as my buddy's Volant. The cheaper kits will work, get air to the engine etc but I suppose it depends on the individual's level of OCD. I wanted a clean look and tight, straight fit...which I got with the C.A.I. unit. I promise I don't work for them lol...just sharing my worthless $.02

Thanks for the feedback CAI is the direction I am leaning more towards as well if going with a name brand. And good point with the fitment being just right.

[ATX_SS]

Originally Posted by go_go_gadget88

IMO, if cost is an issue, I would look into a lightly used, (but known brand) intake over a new but cheap kit

I bought a Rotofab CAI off a member here for $200 shipped. It is 1 smalls scratch away from looking brand new. And while cheap, I got a well made one that fits perfect, and looks pretty much new after cleaning.

If I had to do it again, I would do the same thing.. I have bought a cheap ebay kit for a previous vehicle. While it "worked", sure..there is a very noticeable difference in quality.

You have a nice ride man, I'd spend the little bit more for nice parts to compliment it. Just my 2 cents

Thanks man what you said all makes sense.

[supashane]

There are usually a few cold air intakes for sale in the member marketplace here in the forum.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30

you can check there first for a good deal usually. I got a great deal on mine recently. If you do get one used keep in mind that you may have to get a PCV hose for the crankcase vent if they don't have one to ship with the intake. You should be able to get one cut to whatever length you need at the local auto parts store.

[Avenging Orange]

It's the same on lots of aftermarket parts......concept is the same and most will function as designed. You just need to be cautious of prices that are too good to be true. But the same is true on the high dollar stuff....you end up paying for the name. I usually pick middle of the line.....had good luck.

[Bo White]

I know a guy running a Spectre intake, ported TB, hot cam, TSP headers and a tune and loves the hell out of it. Been driving it that way for atleast 2 years. Hes happy.

[Jayjellyfish212]

I'm gonna refrain from mentioning brands etc.. and give you good logic behind an aftermarket air intake! Typically any aftermarket design over stock intake design is an improvement. The better ones would be a design that allows cooler exterior air in (outside of engine bay) instead of warm air from the engine bay.

[rontammy0]

Originally Posted by Bo White

I know a guy running a Spectre intake, ported TB, hot cam, TSP headers and a tune and loves the hell out of it. Been driving it that way for atleast 2 years. Hes happy.

Yep.....i ran into a guy last year at a car meet with Spectre cai big cam and longtubes. I had to ask if he liked the Spectre. His car had been modded that way for a few years and he loved it. So who knows.

[sdynak]

Just watch the ones with the rubber/silicone 90 at the TB.. have seen videos of that area collapsing.. prob not much difference on the hard piped ones other that brand/fitment/bragging rights.

[go_go_gadget88]

Originally Posted by rontammy0

Yep.....i ran into a guy last year at a car meet with Spectre cai big cam and longtubes. I had to ask if he liked the Spectre. His car had been modded that way for a few years and he loved it. So who knows.

Not a car, but I had a Spectre on my last truck. No fitment issues and it worked fine. Probably the best "budget" one out there for quite a few vehicles. I just don't really care for the shiny metal pipe under the hood on camaro so it wasn't an option to me for this ride. For a couple dollars more, I'm fine with what I bought. But performance between them all is probably minimal.

I have had one of those super cheap ebay ones before, and had nothing but issues with the thing. I will stay stock before I ever waste my money on another one of those.

[Bo White]

Originally Posted by sdynak

Just watch the ones with the rubber/silicone 90 at the TB.. have seen videos of that area collapsing.. prob not much difference on the hard piped ones other that brand/fitment/bragging rights.

That is the first design Spectre. I hadnt seen one of them in probably over 5 years.

[sdynak]

Yeah.. I think there was also some questioning of how the issue itself was introduced like covering the end..

Anyway.. seeing the design in the 2nd link is what reminded me of seeing that.. Can't tell for sure if that is a hard or soft 90.