Honest Opinions

yukon25008.1 · June 30, 2010

Im sorry now i think for asking about or adding a post about k&n or any intake for that matter. I got some "there a waist of time" and some "works great..couldnt be happier" answers So besides all the bickering and knocking eachother, lets just help eachother with solid bullshit free advise.

[email protected] · June 30, 2010

To be honest, I think an exhaust makes more hp than a CAI. But, the map mod or fuel regulator disconnect, or any other little known free mods(iat trick, TB bypass, homemade ram-air) do some in terms of hp also. As far as bolt-ons go, you can't beat a tuner. But real power still lays in cams, heads, turbos, and weight reduction.

Truckin2003 · June 30, 2010

I have a diesel and have been told that the stock air cleaners are good up to 500HP or so and are better than running a cold air intake. The oiled filters cause problems with the Mass Air Flow sensors too. If it fails and you have a oiled filter, they will not replace it under warranty.

So I am sticking with a stock setup for my truck.

96chevy7.4L · June 30, 2010

Well most will tell you this if they have been around the big blocks for a while. The big blocks are choked by the factory muffler. The exhaust tubing, routing and size are adequate. The muffler is the restriction. As for the air filter it may or may not be an issue. The issue is how many turns and twists the tubing makes. The effort if any should be to straighten the path of airflow to the MAF sensor and throttle body. Regardless of what CAI you choose as long as the tubing is as straight as possible that's all that counts. I know you have an 8.1L but in the 7.4L's the exhaust really wakes them up. Just my opinion.

jro909 · June 30, 2010

biggest waste of money ever is the throttle body spacer..

Doug_Scott · June 30, 2010

Im sorry now i think for asking about or adding a post about k&n or any intake for that matter. I got some "there a waist of time" and some "works great..couldnt be happier" answers So besides all the bickering and knocking eachother, lets just help eachother with solid bullshit free advise.

Problem is, you have been getting "honest opinions". But therein lies the problem. Opinions cannot be honest or dishonest, they are someones idea of how something is. It is not fact so it cannot be right or wrong. A lot of the cheap bolt on instant horse power products will not really hurt the performance, but it also may not give you any real gain.

To some the noise of the intake is all they really need to make them happy. And that is all that really counts. Who cares what others think, if the mod made you happy, then it was a good mod. Do you really need the approval of compete strangers? None of this stuff is new technology. K&N have been around longer than most that bash them. Do you really think they would still be here if their product caused as much damage as some claim? Same for Fram. Use your head, and do not let others think for you.

yukon25008.1 · June 30, 2010

I did.. plenty of times get helpful advise, and completely understand everyones different.

it justseemed to get someguys bickering back and forth, wasnt looking to cause that..

My point was some guys were saying the intake was a COMPLETE waist of time and money.. and most of us no its really not, granted no intake is gonna make 10-12 hp but even if i gave you 2 and added some cool sound and help the motor breathe a little better/easier. why not

Matt_ · June 30, 2010

Every time i wash my truck it runs noticeably stronger & better; just as much, if not more, of an improvement than ive ever seen from a CAI... thus i can conclude 1 of 2 things:

1) The actual performance gains "felt" from a CAI are all mental, just like the performance gains "felt" after washing a truck.....or....

2) When you wash your truck you greatly reduce surface layer friction since the paint is nice and clean and this translates into increased performance/efficiency..

my "no BS" opinion is scenario #1. Hence the reason i wont drop $350-$400 for an intake on this truck. IMO throw in a high flow (cleanable/reusable) filter for $50 and an intake tube like the Airaid MIT for $100 to imrpove the "sound" of the engine (which makes the truck feel stronger) and call it a day. Take the $200-$250 you saved and add on a tune.. then you're set.

this is just my opinion of course

kdixer · June 30, 2010

See post #14 on the following link:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=111875

I realize this was a SS dyno pull but the gains are typically more noticeable with more displacement. But this info is why I chose to spend $45 on a K&N drop in filter v/s $350 for a CAI. Those extra 3hp would have came at quite a price. I figure if the stock intake can feed a 6.2L then it should be sufficient for my 5.3L.

gnet158 · July 3, 2010

People expect too much from a CAI or exhaust. If your expecting 50HP, 5-10 more mpg, and 75 fp of trouqe then you'll be disappointed. If you expect better acceleration and throttle response then you'll be very pleased. If your happy with both then you might want to hold off on installing either. I noticed a difference when I turned my truck, and I noticed a difference when I installed my CAI. Was it worth it? Yes, did it add ridiculous performance to my truck no.

But she quicker, and uses a bit less gas, which is what I expected.

HTH

TroyDairy · July 3, 2010

Agree with Gnet, My CAI gave me 1ish mpg, sounded nice, and had better response at part throttle. Just find dyno info on bolt ones b/f buuying. But 1st and foremost get a TUNE. BEST bang for buck!

Jennabear · July 3, 2010

See post #14 on the following link:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=111875

I realize this was a SS dyno pull but the gains are typically more noticeable with more displacement. But this info is why I chose to spend $45 on a K&N drop in filter v/s $350 for a CAI. Those extra 3hp would have came at quite a price. I figure if the stock intake can feed a 6.2L then it should be sufficient for my 5.3L.

That was the test we did at the dyno, here is the thread I made:

Intake

Big black truck · July 5, 2010

One must also remember that a freer flowing air cleaner may not filter the best.

Doug_Scott · July 5, 2010

One must also remember that a freer flowing air cleaner may not filter the best.

And one must also remember that an oil bath air filter does not work the same as a dry filter.

pistonslap · July 5, 2010

See post #14 on the following link:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=111875

I realize this was a SS dyno pull but the gains are typically more noticeable with more displacement. But this info is why I chose to spend $45 on a K&N drop in filter v/s $350 for a CAI. Those extra 3hp would have came at quite a price. I figure if the stock intake can feed a 6.2L then it should be sufficient for my 5.3L.

That was the test we did at the dyno, here is the thread I made:

Intake

Do you have any results for a stock air filter?