Drop in filter flow test shoot-out

[litle88]

Lmao!

[Jason@JacFab]

Just for $#!7$ and gigs, I'm reviving this thread... I've finally stumbled across a complete stock ZL1 air intake system (has an extra hole/scoop in the box IIRC) at an affordable price so just for general knowledge, I will revisit this... The upside is that THIS time, I have a stock LS3 head, intake, TB, and will have both stock LS3/L99 and ZL1 intake tracts to test though, so the gains, if any, should be much closer than originally reported. However, while not entirely "life like," as Ted mentioned, the engine does not flow like a flow bench does, but it should still be interesting to see if there is any kind of major difference between the two.

The downside, is that I had sold off many of the filters after this test was previously completed. I still have the stock GM LS3/L99 filter, stock GM ZL1 ("increased airflow filter"), a K&N filter, an S&B filter, and I believe I still have the aFe floating around here...

Not particularly useful for most, but for those that want to solely stick to GM parts, we will see if the ZL1 airbox could potentially be a worthwhile modification to your LS3/L99 equipped car. Payment was just send for the complete ZL1 air intake tract, I hope to have it early to mid next week.

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by RacnJsn95

Just for $#!7$ and gigs, I'm reviving this thread... I've finally stumbled across a complete stock ZL1 air intake system (has an extra hole/scoop in the box IIRC) at an affordable price so just for general knowledge, I will revisit this... The upside is that THIS time, I have a stock LS3 head, intake, TB, and will have both stock LS3/L99 and ZL1 intake tracts to test though, so the gains, if any, should be much closer than originally reported. However, while not entirely "life like," as Ted mentioned, the engine does not flow like a flow bench does, but it should still be interesting to see if there is any kind of major difference between the two.

The downside, is that I had sold off many of the filters after this test was previously completed. I still have the stock GM LS3/L99 filter, stock GM ZL1 ("increased airflow filter"), a K&N filter, an S&B filter, and I believe I still have the aFe floating around here...

Not particularly useful for most, but for those that want to solely stick to GM parts, we will see if the ZL1 airbox could potentially be a worthwhile modification to your LS3/L99 equipped car. Payment was just send for the complete ZL1 air intake tract, I hope to have it early to mid next week.

The ZL-1 Air box has a completely different MAF location and opening, and will require calibration to work properly on any of the standard Camaro SS

Hope this helps.

Ted.

[DRKS1D3]

Originally Posted by RacnJsn95

Just for $#!7$ and gigs, I'm reviving this thread... I've finally stumbled across a complete stock ZL1 air intake system (has an extra hole/scoop in the box IIRC) at an affordable price so just for general knowledge, I will revisit this... The upside is that THIS time, I have a stock LS3 head, intake, TB, and will have both stock LS3/L99 and ZL1 intake tracts to test though, so the gains, if any, should be much closer than originally reported. However, while not entirely "life like," as Ted mentioned, the engine does not flow like a flow bench does, but it should still be interesting to see if there is any kind of major difference between the two.

The downside, is that I had sold off many of the filters after this test was previously completed. I still have the stock GM LS3/L99 filter, stock GM ZL1 ("increased airflow filter"), a K&N filter, an S&B filter, and I believe I still have the aFe floating around here...

Not particularly useful for most, but for those that want to solely stick to GM parts, we will see if the ZL1 airbox could potentially be a worthwhile modification to your LS3/L99 equipped car. Payment was just send for the complete ZL1 air intake tract, I hope to have it early to mid next week.

Excellent, let's get this done!

[Jason@JacFab]

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

The ZL-1 Air box has a completely different MAF location and opening, and will require calibration to work properly on any of the standard Camaro SS

Hope this helps.

Ted.

Thank you Ted. I will talk some comparison pictures, and measurements of both for future reference if anyone decides they want to attempt this swap if it's feasible.

[wakespeak]

Flow numbers very interesting. However I wonder if there is a cost, ie that the high flow filters filter less: more dirt in the engine. It would be great to know filter efficiency too.

[axis]

Originally Posted by wakespeak

Flow numbers very interesting. However I wonder if there is a cost, ie that the high flow filters filter less: more dirt in the engine. It would be great to know filter efficiency too.

The flow numbers are pretty much what everyone expected. Jason did a great job to keep it a fair and balanced test. The only problem is, the filter isn't the choke point on the OEM intake. It's been shown over and over that a better flowing filter doesn't do anything for HP. The issue lies in the OEM intake design. Not that it's a bad design but obviously it can and has been improved upon.

[Jason@JacFab]

Originally Posted by wakespeak

Flow numbers very interesting. However I wonder if there is a cost, ie that the high flow filters filter less: more dirt in the engine. It would be great to know filter efficiency too.

Unfortunately that is beyond me, however some filter companies do have some filtration data available. I had thought about cutting apart some of the more popular filters and actually laying the layers out and taking some pictures, but there really wouldn't be much to gain from it.

I received the ZL1 airbox yesterday, aside from the top lid as Ted mentioned, the ONLY change that I can see on the bottom section of the ZL1 airbox is the addition of the second small air scoop to the side of the big one that's present on both v6 and v8 boxes...

That said, even though the ZL1 lid attaches differently (screws, vs snap on) it looks like any lid (v6 or v8) can easily adapted to fit the ZL1 airbox so the ZL1 bottom section with the extra scoop can be utilized on any car without the NEED to tune the MAF scaling.

Unfortunately, after digging around, I do not have a usable SS airbox lid to do side by side comparison testing so I will have to source another lid if you guys want to see some side by side testing.

[sutherlacd27]

Originally Posted by wakespeak

Flow numbers very interesting. However I wonder if there is a cost, ie that the high flow filters filter less: more dirt in the engine. It would be great to know filter efficiency too.

I work for a filtration company....let me just say K&N's efficiency is absolutely horrible compared to a standard paper filter.

[Rickh]

To clarify, I am using the stock air box with a K&N drop in filter. So, for maximum air flow do NOT remove the stock intake snorkel? Visually, appears the stock intake box would get more air flow by removing the snorkel.

Next, with the above set up any proven dyno rwhp gain utilzing the SLP Blackhawk Intake Tube?
(Attaches from the throttle body to the stock intake box?)
Visually the intake tube to the throttle body has a lot of extra plastic tubing, assuming to quiet and smooth the flow of air into the throttle body.

[axis]

Originally Posted by Rickh

To clarify, I am using the stock air box with a K&N drop in filter. So, for maximum air flow do NOT remove the stock intake snorkel? Visually, appears the stock intake box would get more air flow by removing the snorkel.

Next, with the above set up any proven dyno rwhp gain utilzing the SLP Blackhawk Intake Tube?
(Attaches from the throttle body to the stock intake box?)
Visually the intake tube to the throttle body has a lot of extra plastic tubing, assuming to quiet and smooth the flow of air into the throttle body.

Yes, leave the snorkel in for the best airflow.

Your K&N intake isn't one of the best ones available but it has been proven to be better than OEM.

Despite what may be advertised, the Blackhawk intake tube is purely for appearance. There is no performance gain from it.

All of these answers are found within this section with a search, in case you wanted more opinions.

[axis]

Originally Posted by Rickh

Ok. Thank you for the input.
I did formally have a K&N complete intake kit installed yet removed it for only the following reason:

At mid to wot, upper RPMs especially over 5,000 plus "sound" quality is not smooth.
Sounds dirty, not a smooth quality intake tone.

Even if I gave up 7-10 rwhp utilizing the stock intake with a K&N drop in filter, hopefully offset it with other mods. such as the Vmax ported throttle/UDP pulley and tune. I realize all a give and take, sound quality vs. power.

If you don't like it, you don't like it. The issue is, all HP mods are done to increase airflow through the motor. If you don't have a good intake to start with, you're going to lessen the affects of other mods you may do. That's the very reason CAI's are so popular as a FIRST mod.

[rontammy0]

Originally Posted by Rickh

Ok. Thank you for the input.
I did formally have a K&N complete intake kit installed yet removed it for only the following reason:

At mid to wot, upper RPMs especially over 5,000 plus "sound" quality is not smooth.
Sounds dirty, not a smooth quality intake tone.

Even if I gave up 7-10 rwhp utilizing the stock intake with a K&N drop in filter, hopefully offset it with other mods. such as the Vmax ported throttle/UDP pulley and tune. I realize all a give and take, sound quality vs. power.

Now I totally disagree with you....my k@n isn't the best out there but I like it. The sound at wot to me sounded great....my buddy with a 5.0 mustang agreed..he has airade cai in his car. He thinks the k@n sounded better. Sound is personal judgement call. But it's up to each person do decide what they like I guess.