Cai And Catback True Power Gains?

importkiller76 · August 20, 2009

Hey guys I was just wondering what kind of power gains I can actually expect from these two mods? Intakes usually claim to give about 10-15 more hp (I know K&N claims 17.4 hp for the 4.8). And I'm going with the flowmaster dual exhaust cat back system which I would think flowmaster would claim approx. the same gains. So what can I actually expect here? And just for the record I am working with justin on a tune that we will throw on once these mods are done so i'm sure the truck will be not too bad at all!

Bowtie2Sierra · August 20, 2009

I have a CAI and exhaust and there are no noticeable gains IMO. If there are any gains, it is minimal. All the gains I've enjoyed are the result of the tune.

66nova · August 20, 2009

I talked to Justin (Black Bear Performance) about this a lot before I got my tune. He has dynoed a lot of systems.

He said with the combo of a CAI and Cat back he usually sees in the neighborhood of 15-20 hp gains. With the majority of that being the exhaust. He also said the exhaust tends to help throughout the power band and the only gains seen with a CAI are at peak hp.

That being said, I love the Flowmaster sound, but I would not count on a big power improvement with them. They really don't flow that much better than stock. I have been a flowmaster guy for years because of the sound. I have had them on 5-6 different vehicles and I will not have them again. I have seen a car at the track pick up 4 tenths of a second (NO EXAGGERATION), but changing his exhaust from Flowmaster 40 series to Magnaflows. Now that is not going to happen in every case, but it is a good example of the benefits of a straight through design.