Very unhappy with K&N CAI.. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BLov11 · 08-07-2013, 03:32 PM

I've had my K&N CAI on now for about a year and to be honest from day one haven't seen much difference or increase in power. I am considering getting the trifecta tune and was told that it may be a good idea to get a different CAI. My question is this. Which one seems to be the "best bamg for the buck" so to speak ? Roto fab, haltech, CAI Inc ?
I do not have many engine mods as of yet, just the K&N and the MRT V2 exhaust.
Thanks for your help and input.
Brian

camarozzzz · 08-07-2013, 03:33 PM

Roto-Fab is great! A very popular choice, but the CAI offers like 2 hp more or so than it. CAI is more aesthetically pleasing too - all fancy in the corner versus kinda plain and black.

montreal2010yellow · 08-07-2013, 03:43 PM

I did install 2 K&N CAI and I had a check engine twice. So I went the other way for a non closed heat shield model G5CR. Have it since 2011 and never felt the heat problem everyone. I felt the more power but don't expect 15 to 20 HP with any type. I'm having the car dynoed tomorrow and ad a trifecta tune, than I'll know the exact results.
Ihadthe ACS Stinger Hood for 2 years and it had a air ram directly to the filter. Now I have the TL1 Hood insert and felt no difference.

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ryanb910 · 08-07-2013, 03:58 PM

Vararam is the way to go in my opinion, I had a K&N then upgraded to Vararam. Big difference

zkdreads · 08-07-2013, 04:19 PM

i got the K&N CAI on mine. i can tell the difference on mine. which mod did you have first. exhaust of CAI?

BLov11 · 08-07-2013, 04:26 PM

I had the CAI 1st and really didn't see any increases in anything. I called K&N because I wasn't happy with the performance and asked why the mass air sensor is almost directly across from the pcv inlet and thier answer to me was to get some mass air sensor cleaner or electronics cleaner and clean it periodically. Also my guy that is going to install my trifecta tune has had troubles getting the right tune from the K&N.

DSX_Camaro · 08-07-2013, 04:42 PM

I have a K&N intake, and I love mine... I recommend getting the VMAX throttle body and the Iceolator to see better gains. Logical route, I would think, and you've already spent the money on an intake... might as well work with what you've got.

zkdreads · 08-07-2013, 05:01 PM

i think with any CAI its only like maybe 4-10 hp max you will get. WITH A TUNE it would be a lot better. To me it felt different around 4000 rpm but i dont know if you want that UMPH from just a CAI. GET A TWIN TURBO and be done with it

lol

BLov11 · 08-07-2013, 05:04 PM

LOL...wish I could afford a twin turbo or super charger. Just went thru a divorce and had to sell my house so
Getting a new home is a tad more important then going down the highway a little (or a lot ) faster. ..lok

DarkneSS · 08-07-2013, 05:04 PM

Nothing performs as good as the vararam.

WCoolBreeze · 08-07-2013, 05:13 PM

Go with Roto-Fab.

Walt B.

JDP Sales · 08-07-2013, 06:36 PM

I would say Roto-Fab is probably the best value. CAI is great as well just a bit more expensive. But at the end of the day you might gain 4-5 hp over the K&N, so in my opinion unless you can sell your K&N for a decent dollar, I'd stick with what you have and look into the VMAX ICE-olator and Throttle body. They are by far some of the best bangs for the buck and will make a good difference.

Feel free to call, PM or email me anytime with questions.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

KMPrenger · 08-08-2013, 03:49 PM

I went from an AirRaid intake which showed an increase on the dyno....to a Vararam and the difference was noticeable.

I can't imagine an intake performing any better.

simt3k · 08-08-2013, 05:40 PM

I am not sure but that intake looks like its going to be sucking in hot air losing power...

08-07-2013, 03:32 PM	#1
BLov11 Drives: 2011 Synergy Green 1LT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Falling Water's WVa. Posts: 55	Very unhappy with K&N CAI.. I've had my K&N CAI on now for about a year and to be honest from day one haven't seen much difference or increase in power. I am considering getting the trifecta tune and was told that it may be a good idea to get a different CAI. My question is this. Which one seems to be the "best bamg for the buck" so to speak ? Roto fab, haltech, CAI Inc ? I do not have many engine mods as of yet, just the K&N and the MRT V2 exhaust. Thanks for your help and input. Brian

08-07-2013, 03:43 PM	#3
montreal2010yellow Drives: 2 LT/RS YELLOW, AUTO., VIN NO. 602 Join Date: May 2010 Location: LAVAL (10 min. north of Montreal), CANADA Posts: 3,526 View My Garage	I did install 2 K&N CAI and I had a check engine twice. So I went the other way for a non closed heat shield model G5CR. Have it since 2011 and never felt the heat problem everyone. I felt the more power but don't expect 15 to 20 HP with any type. I'm having the car dynoed tomorrow and ad a trifecta tune, than I'll know the exact results. Ihadthe ACS Stinger Hood for 2 years and it had a air ram directly to the filter. Now I have the TL1 Hood insert and felt no difference. __________________ T2 Facia, ACS TL1 Hood, ACS Winglets. G5CR CAI. Hotchsic Strut Brace and more...

08-07-2013, 03:58 PM	#4
ryanb910 Drives: Black 2010 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 350	Vararam is the way to go in my opinion, I had a K&N then upgraded to Vararam. Big difference __________________ Just a few mods...

08-07-2013, 04:19 PM	#5
zkdreads Drives: 2010 Camaro LS V6 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 2,784	i got the K&N CAI on mine. i can tell the difference on mine. which mod did you have first. exhaust of CAI? __________________ C-LO or Sonic "Without Struggle there is no progress" I am your best nightmare!

08-07-2013, 05:01 PM	#8
zkdreads Drives: 2010 Camaro LS V6 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 2,784	i think with any CAI its only like maybe 4-10 hp max you will get. WITH A TUNE it would be a lot better. To me it felt different around 4000 rpm but i dont know if you want that UMPH from just a CAI. GET A TWIN TURBO and be done with it lol __________________ C-LO or Sonic "Without Struggle there is no progress" I am your best nightmare!

08-07-2013, 03:33 PM	#2
camarozzzz Drives: Blue Join Date: May 2012 Location: WA Posts: 1,338	Roto-Fab is great! A very popular choice, but the CAI offers like 2 hp more or so than it. CAI is more aesthetically pleasing too - all fancy in the corner versus kinda plain and black.

08-07-2013, 04:26 PM	#6
BLov11 Drives: 2011 Synergy Green 1LT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Falling Water's WVa. Posts: 55	I had the CAI 1st and really didn't see any increases in anything. I called K&N because I wasn't happy with the performance and asked why the mass air sensor is almost directly across from the pcv inlet and thier answer to me was to get some mass air sensor cleaner or electronics cleaner and clean it periodically. Also my guy that is going to install my trifecta tune has had troubles getting the right tune from the K&N.

08-07-2013, 04:42 PM	#7
DSX_Camaro Drives: 2013 SW 2LT/RS LFX/AY6 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,741	I have a K&N intake, and I love mine... I recommend getting the VMAX throttle body and the Iceolator to see better gains. Logical route, I would think, and you've already spent the money on an intake... might as well work with what you've got.

08-07-2013, 05:04 PM	#9
BLov11 Drives: 2011 Synergy Green 1LT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Falling Water's WVa. Posts: 55	LOL...wish I could afford a twin turbo or super charger. Just went thru a divorce and had to sell my house so Getting a new home is a tad more important then going down the highway a little (or a lot ) faster. ..lok

08-07-2013, 05:04 PM	#10
DarkneSS Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS 6MT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Westchester, New York Posts: 3,715	Nothing performs as good as the vararam.

08-07-2013, 05:13 PM	#11
WCoolBreeze 2SS Drives: 2016 2SS, Red Garnet Tint Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Imperial, CA Posts: 1,343	Go with Roto-Fab. Walt B. __________________ 2016 Camaro 2SS 2005 Dodge Magnum R/T (Yes it has a Hemi) 1987 Camaro RS (California Special) - For Sale Gen6, 2016 Camaro 2SS, Red Garnet Tint (with Silver Rally Stripes) Ordered: 2-12-2016 TPW: 3-7-2016 Built: 3-7-2016 VIN 1G1FH78G0157626 Delivered: 4-26-2016

08-07-2013, 06:36 PM	#12
JDP Sales Drives: Chevys at the limit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 9,621	I would say Roto-Fab is probably the best value. CAI is great as well just a bit more expensive. But at the end of the day you might gain 4-5 hp over the K&N, so in my opinion unless you can sell your K&N for a decent dollar, I'd stick with what you have and look into the VMAX ICE-olator and Throttle body. They are by far some of the best bangs for the buck and will make a good difference. Feel free to call, PM or email me anytime with questions. Best regards, Tyler 888-308-6007

08-08-2013, 03:49 PM	#13
KMPrenger Drives: 16 Camaro SS, 15 Colorado Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jefferson City, Missouri Posts: 13,943	I went from an AirRaid intake which showed an increase on the dyno....to a Vararam and the difference was noticeable. I can't imagine an intake performing any better. __________________ 2016 Camaro 1SS - 8-speed - NPP - Black bowties 2010 Camaro 1LT V6 (Sold. I will miss her!)

08-08-2013, 05:40 PM	#14
simt3k Drives: 2011 Camaro RS 2LT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Edmonton Alberta Canada Posts: 762	I am not sure but that intake looks like its going to be sucking in hot air losing power...