CAI vs new filter instead of box at end - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Wingnut · 06-17-2009, 12:38 PM

Not trying to take business away from CAI aftermarket shops, but won't sticking a K&N custom fit filter on the end of the existing duct work and installing a heat shield/duct to the front do the same thing for the performance? I think I'll give this a shot and have it but on the dyno. Filters are less than $100 and I can make a cool shield in my metal shop.

Crowley · 06-17-2009, 01:06 PM

Do it .. keep us all posted ! Im a little disapointed by the lack of air intakes currently offered. I don't want to install a true CAI (installed out of the engine bay) as some of the NASTY Rain we get here in Texas can be a problem for a filter installed low on the car ..

Crowley

*mlee* · 06-17-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowley

Do it .. keep us all posted ! Im a little disapointed by the lack of air intakes currently offered. I don't want to install a true CAI (installed out of the engine bay) as some of the NASTY Rain we get here in Texas can be a problem for a filter installed low on the car ..

Crowley

I've seen the filter tucked in the lower grill and heavy rainstorms will not be good especially for a daily driver car...

*radz28* · 06-17-2009, 01:10 PM

I haven't seen the inside of a stock air cleaner, but I know there are restrictions in the baffles on the inlet tube juse before the throttle body. It's my belief that gains may not be as much as replacing this tube too.

Does anyone have any shots of the inside of the air cleaner? I know there is an intake duct behind the headlight, but don't know of any baffling within. I know that simply replacing the filter on LS1 F-bodies didn't do much for power because the baffles and shape of the OEM intake, in front of the MAF, really disrupted air flow and replacing the lid for one eliminating the baffles and smoothing the transition in shapes really helped flow and performance. I think this will probably be the case here too.

Good luck and keep us posted. Only the dyno' will tell

Wingnut · 06-17-2009, 02:07 PM

I beleive its the factory ducting from the grill to the box, the box itself and a lousy filter that creates 99% of the restriction that a CAI opens up.
The mod will be a single six inch long pipe that goes from the current flex hose that connects the box with a sensor mount and a two sided heat shield(like those seen on other kits) with custom K&N filter.
I will post pics and dyno results when done.

*radz28* · 06-17-2009, 04:50 PM

Cool. I'd like to see the results. If you have pictures you can share, I know I'd appreciate them

JHart · 06-20-2009, 01:12 AM

where the CAI gets it's sound is mostly from the deletions from the resonator boxes on the stock pipe going to the box.

Gentry78 · 06-20-2009, 02:02 AM

well volume is only half the other half is velocity witch is slowed down by the resonators, so yes i do believe you will see gains but you might just get a little bit more by replacing the entire tubing

can't wait to see the dyno results

patriotpa · 06-20-2009, 07:51 AM

You could plug the resonators with some RTV easily enough...

novajess1972 · 06-20-2009, 10:57 AM

Reeeeeeeeeesults??

NickPic · 06-20-2009, 11:00 AM

with a CAI u benefit from the pipe also. its usually smoother and lest restrictive

JHart · 06-20-2009, 03:44 PM

i think utilizing the stock box with a K&N filter and making the tube with no resonators would be the best bet if your not wanting a CAI, but the tube with the open element filter is going to give you the best results.

ZYA_LTR · 06-22-2009, 03:29 PM

Getting rid of the resonator's on the tubing from the box to the throttle body will help, and either deleting the air filter box, or doing a combination of removing and baffles that are in there with a dremel, as well as cutting out a larger opening in the bottom to allow more airflow would be helpful. If there is no hi-flow replacement filter available yet, just wack the box off and use a pice of stainless tubing form throttlebody to fenderwell with a conical hi-flow on the end, and fab up a heatshield. If you have a shop, or know a shop, they can be made much cheaper than what retail costs you.

06-17-2009, 12:38 PM	#1
Wingnut GOT IT....LOVE IT!!! Drives: 2010 2SS, Silver Ice Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Antonio Posts: 193	CAI vs new filter instead of box at end Not trying to take business away from CAI aftermarket shops, but won't sticking a K&N custom fit filter on the end of the existing duct work and installing a heat shield/duct to the front do the same thing for the performance? I think I'll give this a shot and have it but on the dyno. Filters are less than $100 and I can make a cool shield in my metal shop. __________________ 2SS, Silver Ice......delivered June 10th!

06-17-2009, 01:06 PM	#2
Crowley Okie doke Drives: 2012 GT500 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: McKinney Texas Posts: 3,567 View My Garage	Do it .. keep us all posted ! Im a little disapointed by the lack of air intakes currently offered. I don't want to install a true CAI (installed out of the engine bay) as some of the NASTY Rain we get here in Texas can be a problem for a filter installed low on the car .. Crowley __________________

06-17-2009, 01:10 PM	#4
radz28 Petro-sexual Drives: Ultra-Grin Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Crazy Coast Posts: 15,795 View My Garage	I haven't seen the inside of a stock air cleaner, but I know there are restrictions in the baffles on the inlet tube juse before the throttle body. It's my belief that gains may not be as much as replacing this tube too. Does anyone have any shots of the inside of the air cleaner? I know there is an intake duct behind the headlight, but don't know of any baffling within. I know that simply replacing the filter on LS1 F-bodies didn't do much for power because the baffles and shape of the OEM intake, in front of the MAF, really disrupted air flow and replacing the lid for one eliminating the baffles and smoothing the transition in shapes really helped flow and performance. I think this will probably be the case here too. Good luck and keep us posted. Only the dyno' will tell __________________ '20 ZL1 Black "Fury" A10, PDR, Exposed CF Extractor Magnuson Magnum DI TVS2650R // RFBG // Soler 103 // TooHighPSI Port Injection // THPSI Billet Lid // FF // Katech Drop-In // PLM Heat Exchanger // ZLE Cradle bushings // BMR Chassis-Suspension Stuff // aFe Bars // Diode Dynamics LEDs // ACS Composites Guards // CF Dash // Aeroforce // tint // other stuffs

06-17-2009, 02:07 PM	#5
Wingnut GOT IT....LOVE IT!!! Drives: 2010 2SS, Silver Ice Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Antonio Posts: 193	I beleive its the factory ducting from the grill to the box, the box itself and a lousy filter that creates 99% of the restriction that a CAI opens up. The mod will be a single six inch long pipe that goes from the current flex hose that connects the box with a sensor mount and a two sided heat shield(like those seen on other kits) with custom K&N filter. I will post pics and dyno results when done. __________________ 2SS, Silver Ice......delivered June 10th!

06-17-2009, 04:50 PM	#6
radz28 Petro-sexual Drives: Ultra-Grin Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Crazy Coast Posts: 15,795 View My Garage	Cool. I'd like to see the results. If you have pictures you can share, I know I'd appreciate them __________________ '20 ZL1 Black "Fury" A10, PDR, Exposed CF Extractor Magnuson Magnum DI TVS2650R // RFBG // Soler 103 // TooHighPSI Port Injection // THPSI Billet Lid // FF // Katech Drop-In // PLM Heat Exchanger // ZLE Cradle bushings // BMR Chassis-Suspension Stuff // aFe Bars // Diode Dynamics LEDs // ACS Composites Guards // CF Dash // Aeroforce // tint // other stuffs

06-20-2009, 01:12 AM	#7
JHart I haz camaro again :) Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Union, South Carolina Posts: 660	where the CAI gets it's sound is mostly from the deletions from the resonator boxes on the stock pipe going to the box. __________________ 2010 Camaro 1SS(back in a camaro again, yessssss!) 2010 silverado z71 ccsb(sold, old dd) 2010 camaro1ss(sold, missed, will have another someday)

06-20-2009, 02:02 AM	#8
Gentry78 HOOK'EM Drives: 97 c1500/92 olds Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,279	well volume is only half the other half is velocity witch is slowed down by the resonators, so yes i do believe you will see gains but you might just get a little bit more by replacing the entire tubing can't wait to see the dyno results

06-20-2009, 07:51 AM	#9
patriotpa Account Suspended Drives: 02 Silverado, 09 Vue, 10 1SS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tired of apologizing when we should be kickin' butt! Posts: 1,962 View My Garage	You could plug the resonators with some RTV easily enough...

06-20-2009, 10:57 AM	#10
novajess1972 I Done Caught Diabeetus. Drives: 1972 Chevelle SS/2010 Tundra Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston/Humble Posts: 591	Reeeeeeeeeesults?? __________________ CANCELLED ORDER: 1SS/CGM/MN6/BLACK RALLY STRIPES

06-20-2009, 11:00 AM	#11
NickPic Drives: 2006 GMC Sierra 1500HD Join Date: May 2009 Location: ROckland, NY Posts: 161	with a CAI u benefit from the pipe also. its usually smoother and lest restrictive __________________ 06 gmc sierra 1500HD: w/ 6.0, K&N CAI, air raid TBS, pacesetter ceramic coated LT headers, magnaflow X-pipe, SLP loudmouth I resonators, gibson 4' tips, blackbear custom tune, 20 inch rims, bfg 33" tires, 2-10" mtx subs, 2000 watt audiobahn amp, 10 farad tsunami cap, HID's, air horns etc...... http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3103872 slp tuned diablo programmer for sale. pm me for info. 06 pontiac G6 GT: bone stock except hid's

06-20-2009, 03:44 PM	#12
JHart I haz camaro again :) Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Union, South Carolina Posts: 660	i think utilizing the stock box with a K&N filter and making the tube with no resonators would be the best bet if your not wanting a CAI, but the tube with the open element filter is going to give you the best results. __________________ 2010 Camaro 1SS(back in a camaro again, yessssss!) 2010 silverado z71 ccsb(sold, old dd) 2010 camaro1ss(sold, missed, will have another someday)

06-22-2009, 03:29 PM	#13
ZYA_LTR Drives: Waiting to be ordered Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 37	Getting rid of the resonator's on the tubing from the box to the throttle body will help, and either deleting the air filter box, or doing a combination of removing and baffles that are in there with a dremel, as well as cutting out a larger opening in the bottom to allow more airflow would be helpful. If there is no hi-flow replacement filter available yet, just wack the box off and use a pice of stainless tubing form throttlebody to fenderwell with a conical hi-flow on the end, and fab up a heatshield. If you have a shop, or know a shop, they can be made much cheaper than what retail costs you.

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