Cold Air Intake Question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jspetree · 11-05-2012, 08:28 PM

I am looking at getting a CAI intake for my camaro. My Dad said the problem with col air intakes is that the oil can get on the MAF sensor and ruin it. What is the maintainence for the CAI intake? Do I have to oil it or anything? Also, how big of a chance is there for it to get water in it. Can you drive while it's raining hard?

GraySS2011 · 11-05-2012, 08:39 PM

The issue with oiling or recharging the filters is that people don't follow the directions and over oil them. If you over oil the filter there is a chance like your father said , that the oil can get on the MAF and mess it up. There will be tons of advice and suggestions on this board on which one to buy. Do your homework , google the reviews of the major brands . I chose Airaid because I installed one on my Frontier 6 years ago and never had any issues. So I installed their oiled version on my Camaro 10 months ago. Airaid also makes a non-oiled filer.

Good luck,

Bob

Stingray · 11-05-2012, 08:42 PM

Don't worry. Many are tried & tested and highly recommended. Like you, I was skeptical and did my research as well... there are quite a number of good brands and in the end I went with the C.A.I. No regrets whatsoever.

Joe@CPR.com · 11-05-2012, 08:43 PM

as stated above the over oiling is the main issue and if you do follow the directions you will be fine. also no issues in the rain at all so drive away! we are a dealer for all the main brands so if you want a quote please let me know and we will give you a killer price! just let me know what type you like. volant, vararam, air-raid, roto-fab, cold air, etc.

idealneil · 11-05-2012, 08:43 PM

Just don't over oil it if you buy one that is oiled,If you over oil you may have to clean the MAF, don't really think any harm can be done. My wife drove hers thru a gas station touchless car wash and check engine light came on (only once).I Forgot the code but after she drove about 60 miles light went off. Dealer blamed the CAI and/or the MAF getting wet but I have never had any problems with mine and we both have driven thru heavy rain. I have about 15,000 miles on mine and she has about 10,000 on hers with no other issues. Hope that helps with you choice.

Apex Motorsports · 11-05-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraySS2011

The issue with oiling or recharging the filters is that people don't follow the directions and over oil them. If you over oil the filter there is a chance like your father said , that the oil can get on the MAF and mess it up.

BINGO. Keep in mind, unless you are driving down dirt roads you only need to re-oil the filter ever 20,000 miles or so. With most of the systems out there there is no additional risk of water ingestion as long as you don't go ford a creek.

sportyb24 · 11-05-2012, 09:02 PM

For the SS I recommend LMR cai my car put down 3-5 more Hp with the intake vs 3 other brands.... Late Model Racecraft in Houston Texas ..

The Blue Ox · 11-05-2012, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jspetree

I am looking at getting a CAI intake for my camaro. My Dad said the problem with col air intakes is that the oil can get on the MAF sensor and ruin it. What is the maintainence for the CAI intake? Do I have to oil it or anything? Also, how big of a chance is there for it to get water in it. Can you drive while it's raining hard?

I've had my K&N air filter for over 250,000 miles on my silverado and haven't had any problems! They have some filter cleaner you spray on, then lightly hose it off and let it dry! Then lightly spray it with oil and let that dry a little! I usually wait till I'm not going to be driving for a couple days so it can dry good! If some oil should get on the maf I doubt it would ruin it but it might throw a code! I've had the same aftermarket maf sensor also for 250,000! I've got one on the camaro too and haven't had any water issues! Lot of good c.a.I out there! Good luck!!

RubyCamaro · 11-05-2012, 09:51 PM

I love my CAI inc. It looks great, sounds great & makes Ruby Goooooooooooo! I have not had to clean/oil my filter yet. If you are that worried about it get someone who knows what they are doing help you with it the first time. I thought about just getting a new filter when the time comes but folks I have talked to tell me I can do it with no problem Soooooooooooooo I guess I'll get brave & try it one of these days.

Rod · 11-05-2012, 10:55 PM

You could opt to go with Roto-Fab. They offer a dry filter. Quality product.

Sales @ CAI Inc · 11-06-2012, 09:22 AM

Fill your tires with too much air, you will have problems.

Fill your car with to much oil, you will have problems.

Over-oil your lifetime use oiled air filter, it is possible to get some oil on the MAF, nothing that can't be cleaned up and fixed. Our filter comes pre-oiled and ready to go, and has never caused an issue, If you do not want to mess with recharging it after 15-20k miles, you can just buy another oiled filter from us. Basically, use the appropriate recharge kit (if you have a CAI Inc. filter use a CAI Inc. recharge kit), just follow the instructions when you recharge it, use a little common sense, and you will have no issues.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Jspetree · 11-06-2012, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sales @ CAI Inc

Fill your tires with too much air, you will have problems.

Fill your car with to much oil, you will have problems.

Over-oil your lifetime use oiled air filter, it is possible to get some oil on the MAF, nothing that can't be cleaned up and fixed. Our filter comes pre-oiled and ready to go, and has never caused an issue, If you do not want to mess with recharging it after 15-20k miles, you can just buy another oiled filter from us. Basically, use the appropriate recharge kit (if you have a CAI Inc. filter use a CAI Inc. recharge kit), just follow the instructions when you recharge it, use a little common sense, and you will have no issues.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks a lot! I appreciate all the responses, and i will probably be ordering one pretty soon!

Sales @ CAI Inc · 11-07-2012, 02:05 PM

Sounds good, just so you know the 2012 V6 stuff is still really popular and in pretty high demand, we should have more in stock next week Wednesday. Its definitely one of our most popular items right now, and for good reason! Thanks!!

Apex Motorsports · 11-07-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sales @ CAI Inc

Sounds good, just so you know the 2012 V6 stuff is still really popular and in pretty high demand, we should have more in stock next week Wednesday. Its definitely one of our most popular items right now, and for good reason! Thanks!!

Don't worry, we have plenty.

11-05-2012, 08:28 PM	#1
Jspetree Drives: 2011 ls camaro. Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 56	Cold Air Intake Question I am looking at getting a CAI intake for my camaro. My Dad said the problem with col air intakes is that the oil can get on the MAF sensor and ruin it. What is the maintainence for the CAI intake? Do I have to oil it or anything? Also, how big of a chance is there for it to get water in it. Can you drive while it's raining hard? __________________ 2011 Camaro ls, American Racing Phantom 20" wheels, Oracle color shift halos, black rally stripes and gill stripes, painted front and rear bowties

11-05-2012, 09:02 PM	#7
sportyb24 Romanian Outlaw Drives: 13 ZL1 , 14 Silverado Crew Cab Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Baby Posts: 1,082	For the SS I recommend LMR cai my car put down 3-5 more Hp with the intake vs 3 other brands.... Late Model Racecraft in Houston Texas .. __________________ [/SIGPIC]2013 Camaro ZL1 M6

11-05-2012, 09:51 PM	#9
RubyCamaro Jan Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT Red Jewel tintcoat Join Date: May 2010 Location: Springfield, TN Posts: 16,240 View My Garage	I love my CAI inc. It looks great, sounds great & makes Ruby Goooooooooooo! I have not had to clean/oil my filter yet. If you are that worried about it get someone who knows what they are doing help you with it the first time. I thought about just getting a new filter when the time comes but folks I have talked to tell me I can do it with no problem Soooooooooooooo I guess I'll get brave & try it one of these days. __________________

11-05-2012, 08:39 PM	#2
GraySS2011 Drives: 2011 Cyber Gray 2SS 6 speed Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Chelmsford MA Posts: 504 View My Garage	The issue with oiling or recharging the filters is that people don't follow the directions and over oil them. If you over oil the filter there is a chance like your father said , that the oil can get on the MAF and mess it up. There will be tons of advice and suggestions on this board on which one to buy. Do your homework , google the reviews of the major brands . I chose Airaid because I installed one on my Frontier 6 years ago and never had any issues. So I installed their oiled version on my Camaro 10 months ago. Airaid also makes a non-oiled filer. Good luck, Bob

11-05-2012, 08:42 PM	#3
Stingray just can't get enough Drives: a bunch of fast toys... Join Date: May 2012 Location: SoFla Posts: 3,598 View My Garage	Don't worry. Many are tried & tested and highly recommended. Like you, I was skeptical and did my research as well... there are quite a number of good brands and in the end I went with the C.A.I. No regrets whatsoever.

11-05-2012, 08:43 PM	#4
Joe@CPR.com Account Suspended Drives: 03 vette, 94 trans am, 04 gto Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 993	as stated above the over oiling is the main issue and if you do follow the directions you will be fine. also no issues in the rain at all so drive away! we are a dealer for all the main brands so if you want a quote please let me know and we will give you a killer price! just let me know what type you like. volant, vararam, air-raid, roto-fab, cold air, etc.

11-05-2012, 08:43 PM	#5
idealneil Drives: 2011 SS/RS And 2011 LT Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Central Texas Posts: 61	Just don't over oil it if you buy one that is oiled,If you over oil you may have to clean the MAF, don't really think any harm can be done. My wife drove hers thru a gas station touchless car wash and check engine light came on (only once).I Forgot the code but after she drove about 60 miles light went off. Dealer blamed the CAI and/or the MAF getting wet but I have never had any problems with mine and we both have driven thru heavy rain. I have about 15,000 miles on mine and she has about 10,000 on hers with no other issues. Hope that helps with you choice.

11-05-2012, 10:55 PM	#10
Rod Drives: Camaro V-6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 11	You could opt to go with Roto-Fab. They offer a dry filter. Quality product.

11-06-2012, 09:22 AM	#11
Sales @ CAI Inc Drives: 2010 SS/RS Supercharged 427 Build Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 5,503	Fill your tires with too much air, you will have problems. Fill your car with to much oil, you will have problems. Over-oil your lifetime use oiled air filter, it is possible to get some oil on the MAF, nothing that can't be cleaned up and fixed. Our filter comes pre-oiled and ready to go, and has never caused an issue, If you do not want to mess with recharging it after 15-20k miles, you can just buy another oiled filter from us. Basically, use the appropriate recharge kit (if you have a CAI Inc. filter use a CAI Inc. recharge kit), just follow the instructions when you recharge it, use a little common sense, and you will have no issues. Let me know if you have any questions!

11-07-2012, 02:05 PM	#13
Sales @ CAI Inc Drives: 2010 SS/RS Supercharged 427 Build Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 5,503	Sounds good, just so you know the 2012 V6 stuff is still really popular and in pretty high demand, we should have more in stock next week Wednesday. Its definitely one of our most popular items right now, and for good reason! Thanks!!