Intake/ Air Cleaner observations and thoughts... (?V6/V8?)

[radz28]

So I'm drolling all over this picture and a thought comes to mind (care of Autoblog):



I've been tossing around the idea of the GMPP CAI and was a little skeptical that aside from removing any restrictions due to the baffles and chambers hanging off the passenger's side of the intake tube, just before the throttle body (TB), and the little tube-like deal jutting out of the driver's side just in front of the TB, I though there was a chance the lower intake box/ air cleaner could have some restrictive baffles/ducts/air foils/etc. and possibly leave some power on the table. I mean, I was thinking I'd look and see if the aftermarket (AM) would come out with some sort of conical air filter in a semi-enclosed chamber that was sealed from the engine compartment heat. I was thinking this option because if there were and restrictions left in the lower intake box/ air cleaner that the GMPP CAI would leave a little power on the table due to it looking like the kit strickly replaces the air cleaner top and intake tube. Here is a pic' of the GMPP kit on the LS7 Camaro SEMA car:



Anyways, I got looking at the RS/SS at the Detriot Autoshow and think I see a huge opening in the lower air box, just behind the driver's side headlight. If I'm correct, it looks like cold air, going around the headlight and through that area of the grille might get picked up by the airbox and eliminate my concerns over whether-or-not there were any restrictions in the intake path that the GMPP CAI does not address/ eliminate. SO, the question I have is: Has anyone gotten a good close-up of the lower intake box area to confirm this opening I think I see? Obviously, I could just wait and see when we start getting cars in showrooms and you guys start receiving the cars you've ordered, but my curiosity is getting the better of what little patience I have. If that opening is there, and there isn't any funny business with restrictions in what the GMPP CAI kit doesn't replace, I'm sure I'll go that route. I've said before I love the polished tube (I'm not too big a fan of what looks like a chromed intake lid, but it isn't nearly a deal-breaker) and think I'd be definately sold on this kit. No worries about water ingestion, confidence in OEM engineered durability, quality, and fit and finish. Some of the AM kits dont' always seem to keep all these in mind when they design replacement/ upgrade parts, it seems to me.

I'm just curious as to what any of you have have spent time with the car has noticed in that particular area. Thanks for any input

[gtjacket]

You are too advanced in your automotive knowledge for me to understand what you are asking. I hope to learn more mechanics in the future but for now all I know how to do is change oil, brakes and tune-up.

[The_Beast_]

Personally I perfer the 3 walled intake systems, similar to the ones K&N produces. I prefer its sound and the fact that it allows more air from more places

[TJ91]

What he said lol

[radz28]

So no one has noticed or looked at that area?...

[The_Blur]

I understand what you're saying, radz282003, but I haven't seen any pictures of that area.

My idea with the intake is basically to get hood pins and remove the latch behind the SS mail slot. That would allow for a custom intake that is shorter and gets air in the same way that the Corvette does.

[radz28]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

I understand what you're saying, radz282003, but I haven't seen any pictures of that area.

My idea with the intake is basically to get hood pins and remove the latch behind the SS mail slot. That would allow for a custom intake that is shorter and gets air in the same way that the Corvette does.

That's a great idea! Have you seen the 'Vette intake system from Vararam: http://www.vararam.com/competition.html These are great and I've read good reviews on their results and haven't seen much in the way of negative experiences. Even IF, for some reason, your idea couldn't work exactly, maybe someone will work on something like these guys make. Thanks for the input

[BowtieGuy]

What may surprise you is that most GM vehicles come with a semi cold air setup factory. There is always a tiny plastic tube that leads down into the fender well to a slightly cooler air supply. The problem is the rest of the restriction in the system. The GMPP product will be excellent, but I assure you that it will leave some power out that other aftermarket intakes will achieve. That box is still choking the area around the filter, whether it has any extra baffles or impedances. That bare area behind the headlight is a perfect spot for a true cold air intake.

[10redrocket]

I'm pretty sure the Camaro draws air from within the fender. I noticed this in a pic somewhere. The ristriction IMO is the filter in the box.
A tube running directly into the fender well with an open element filter I believe would be the least restristive.
You may even be able to run the tube down to the lower grill for a ram air effect. Obviously this is yet to be determined.

[mmbarberoilman]

Once this is on the market Injen will surely have an intake available with an Amsoil filter

[radz28]

Yeah; I noticed that my '02 had a sort of cold air setup from the factory. It was too bad, as you guys had pointed out, that the actual airbox and intake provided the restricitions. These were exactly what I had concerns about with the GMPP part (from what I can tell) only addressing what I observed. If there aren't restrictions in the airbox, I don't think I'll mind much, if at all, since as you've pointed out, there are already what looks like cold air induction (so-to-speak) from behind the headlight. I just think GMPP's air tube is so pretty though, LOL! I guess I have time to see what the aftermarket does to unleash the rest of the LS3/L99/LLT's power

[383ss]

good comparison pics and good thread. The factory intake certainly doesn't look very restrictive... I may hold off on the GMPP CAI until some results are available

[Crowley]

Originally Posted by The_Beast_

Personally I perfer the 3 walled intake systems, similar to the ones K&N produces. I refer its sound and the fact that its allow more air from more places

K&N FIPK here for me once they are available ..

Crowley

[JMAN311]

Originally Posted by radz282003

That's a great idea! Have you seen the 'Vette intake system from Vararam: http://www.vararam.com/competition.html These are great and I've read good reviews on their results and haven't seen much in the way of negative experiences. Even IF, for some reason, your idea couldn't work exactly, maybe someone will work on something like these guys make. Thanks for the input

I had a vararam intake on my C5 vette (http://www.vararam.com/b2.html). It worked great. It has a cool design that mounts right into the vent areas between the headlights and the license bracket. (where the wire screens are on a Z06).You could literally hear it breathing from the front of the car, lol. I never had a problem with it and drove in heavy rain many times without any issues like some intakes can have. Of course I never drove it through standing water that would be high enough for the intake to suck up. That's the main thing that people end up doing and paying the price by getting water in their engines.