RotoFab vs Jlt CAI - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ironman#50 · 10-03-2016, 07:47 AM

Current mods include kooks Lt's and a RotoFAB CAI. Going with pulley changes, id850's, e85 fuel sensor,and kb bap. I am being told by my local tuner, with the increased mods they have seen +20 whp with the 4.5" JLT cai over RotoFab and other after market cai's. Wanted to get some input before before making this change?

Livernois Motorsports · 10-03-2016, 08:55 AM

PM sent!

ironman#50 · 10-03-2016, 09:43 AM

I was not looking to change cai's. I did not want to discredit what the tuner suggested. Before spending the money on another cai, i had to post if others had seen the same results?

flipstyledsm22 · 10-03-2016, 11:11 AM

Since there are a lot of RotoFab fans here, I don't think you're going to get a very unbiased answer... I'd like to know the same thing as well. All to often, a purchase is typically brand driven by cost & popularity.

winterboy8 · 10-03-2016, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipstyledsm22

Since there are a lot of RotoFab fans here, I don't think you're going to get a very unbiased answer... I'd like to know the same thing as well. All to often, a purchase is typically brand driven by cost & popularity.

I tend to agree with you on almost everything. I also try to do my best to research everything before I buy it, especially for my baby. I know that there are CAIs out there that both cost more and less than the RF and I also know that depending on what tuner you ask, you'll almost always get a different answer from each one.

For me, RotoFab is the undisputed winner. For any inexperienced person not looking to do a lot of mods, RF wins again. Now, going to go do a shit ton of mods, I totally agree, RF may not be the best, highest HP gains, cheapest or best looking. It all depends on the recipe you're looking to create.

DrkPhx · 10-03-2016, 11:29 AM

The JLT is actually 5" diameter at the MAF housing and 4.5" at the TB with a monster cone air filter so it flows (data logs back this up) plenty of air compared to a regular cold air kit. I switched from a K&N to a JLT but didn't do a back to back comparison because other mods were done at the same time. I will say it required a complete retune from idle and part throttle to WOT because of how much air it flows. Your shop's results also mirror what other shops have seen when I called around.

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 10-03-2016, 11:40 AM

Wow, never spotted this JLT but it looks killer (Power-wise and cosmetically).

hawk02 · 10-03-2016, 01:56 PM

You might PM Trackman and Alexzl1. Both members have had experience with the JLT intake.

Here's a couple of past threads discussing the intake.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363460

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397187 -- starts at post #27

ZL1Kid_AL · 10-03-2016, 05:58 PM

My 2 cents is the JLT is somewhat pointless with out having a 102mm TB or a 90mm with blower port work, cam and all the bolt ons.
If stockish just No. I think it doesn't matter how big the tube is, regardless you are still trying to squeeze that air into a 87mm TB (stock).

ironman#50 · 10-03-2016, 07:45 PM

Thanks for the input. Some good points to think about. I will say point taken about the tube size vs stock 87mm stock TB. Just had an ls1 tuned we built for my son, when we got into the upper rpm range the intake manifold started showing pressure with each rpm move. We are sure it was being restricted by the stock 75mm MAF sensor as we had put a 102mm TB on it.

JANNETTYRACING · 10-04-2016, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironman#50

Current mods include kooks Lt's and a RotoFAB CAI. Going with pulley changes, id850's, e85 fuel sensor,and kb bap. I am being told by my local tuner, with the increased mods they have seen +20 whp with the 4.5" JLT cai over RotoFab and other after market cai's. Wanted to get some input before before making this change?

I can tell you first hand I often tune both and they make exactly the same power at your mod level

In a MAX Effort build, Fully ported blower, Cam Heads 2 inch headers, 102 TB 9.1, 2.55 16+ psi boost pulley combo there is about 15 RWHP over the Rotofab.

As you can see it is all about air demand and restriction, if the CAI has no restriction there is nothing to be gained.

You are better to spend your money on a 90 mm TB for a couple hundred but again it doesn't help until your in the 28% pulley range with cam and headers then it is worth 20 RWHP.

Ted.

10-03-2016, 07:47 AM	#1
ironman#50 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 5	RotoFab vs Jlt CAI Current mods include kooks Lt's and a RotoFAB CAI. Going with pulley changes, id850's, e85 fuel sensor,and kb bap. I am being told by my local tuner, with the increased mods they have seen +20 whp with the 4.5" JLT cai over RotoFab and other after market cai's. Wanted to get some input before before making this change?

10-03-2016, 11:11 AM	#4
flipstyledsm22 Let's go fishing! Drives: a car with 8 cylinders Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Seabrook, Texas Posts: 1,129 View My Garage	Since there are a lot of RotoFab fans here, I don't think you're going to get a very unbiased answer... I'd like to know the same thing as well. All to often, a purchase is typically brand driven by cost & popularity. __________________ "When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I’ve never tried before." Mae West 1892-1980

10-03-2016, 01:56 PM	#8
hawk02 Coupe Newbie Drives: 2017 ZL1, 2021 Corvette Convertible Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 3,281 View My Garage	You might PM Trackman and Alexzl1. Both members have had experience with the JLT intake. Here's a couple of past threads discussing the intake. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363460 http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397187 -- starts at post #27 __________________

10-03-2016, 05:58 PM	#9
ZL1Kid_AL Drives: 2014 ZL1- Summit White M6 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 462	My 2 cents is the JLT is somewhat pointless with out having a 102mm TB or a 90mm with blower port work, cam and all the bolt ons. If stockish just No. I think it doesn't matter how big the tube is, regardless you are still trying to squeeze that air into a 87mm TB (stock). __________________ 750whp @ 13psi Garage Built on Jack Stands.. 850++ 100 shot of sauce

10-03-2016, 08:55 AM	#2
Livernois Motorsports Drives: 2010 Camaro 454 LSX (SOLD) Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Dearborn Heights, MI Posts: 792	PM sent!

10-03-2016, 09:43 AM	#3
ironman#50 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 5	I was not looking to change cai's. I did not want to discredit what the tuner suggested. Before spending the money on another cai, i had to post if others had seen the same results?

10-03-2016, 11:29 AM	#6
DrkPhx Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 / 2006 TB SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: MN Posts: 2,250	The JLT is actually 5" diameter at the MAF housing and 4.5" at the TB with a monster cone air filter so it flows (data logs back this up) plenty of air compared to a regular cold air kit. I switched from a K&N to a JLT but didn't do a back to back comparison because other mods were done at the same time. I will say it required a complete retune from idle and part throttle to WOT because of how much air it flows. Your shop's results also mirror what other shops have seen when I called around.

10-03-2016, 11:40 AM	#7
Can'tHave2MuchHP Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,696	Wow, never spotted this JLT but it looks killer (Power-wise and cosmetically).

10-03-2016, 07:45 PM	#10
ironman#50 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 5	Thanks for the input. Some good points to think about. I will say point taken about the tube size vs stock 87mm stock TB. Just had an ls1 tuned we built for my son, when we got into the upper rpm range the intake manifold started showing pressure with each rpm move. We are sure it was being restricted by the stock 75mm MAF sensor as we had put a 102mm TB on it.