Cai

[MattHicks2010]

I am wanting to install a CAI on my truck but I just dont know which ones are good and which ones are just full of bs. I am not wanting to break the bank either. Any help would be awesome. Thanks!!

[fbachman]

do a search, LOADS of posts on this.

 

Some say they do nothing, others say they help. I have one in conjunction with a tune and a flowmaster muffler.

 

I have a GM Performance Parts CAI and love it. Others like Volante and have had good experiences with them.

 

PERSONALLY, i am not fond of the K&N systems as they have oiled filter elements (typically). The GMPP uses a dry paper filer. That;s just my personal preferance.

 

If you do ONE thing, if it were me, CAI would probably not out rank an upgraded exhaust system. I have all 3, CAI, exhaust and tune.

 

As you say you don't wanna break the bank (completely understandable), you may want to take the money for a CAI and invest it in an exhaust, which, taken by itself, will give you more benfit IMHO than a CAI alone, OR, take the CAI money and invest in a tune®. Depending on the CAI, you may be almost at the level of a tune® in terms of $$$s, as SOME CAIs do get up there in cost. The GMPP in particular is expensive relative to other CAIs out there. Is it better? Heck, I doubt it. I bought it because it was a GM part and it looked good under the hood in addition to the (slight) performance improvement expectation. Just stuff to ponder over.

 

Loads of info on the forum. Do a search. You won't be at a loss regarding stuff to read on these topics..........

[Daryl LBZ]

If they make it for your truck, a good way to go would buy the Airaid Intake Tube and an Amsoil drop in filter.

[mxdirtrider56]

If they make it for your truck, a good way to go would buy the Airaid Intake Tube and an Amsoil drop in filter.

 

 

That's my exact set up. I decided against the CAI because I think the stock airbox is already a fine set up. Just needed to replace the factory air tube. Replaced the the K&N panel filter with an Amsoil nanofiber filter. Much cheaper than a full CAI and probably no difference in performance.

[MattHicks2010]

do a search, LOADS of posts on this.

 

Some say they do nothing, others say they help. I have one in conjunction with a tune and a flowmaster muffler.

 

I have a GM Performance Parts CAI and love it. Others like Volante and have had good experiences with them.

 

PERSONALLY, i am not fond of the K&N systems as they have oiled filter elements (typically). The GMPP uses a dry paper filer. That;s just my personal preferance.

 

If you do ONE thing, if it were me, CAI would probably not out rank an upgraded exhaust system. I have all 3, CAI, exhaust and tune.

 

As you say you don't wanna break the bank (completely understandable), you may want to take the money for a CAI and invest it in an exhaust, which, taken by itself, will give you more benfit IMHO than a CAI alone, OR, take the CAI money and invest in a tune®. Depending on the CAI, you may be almost at the level of a tune® in terms of $$$s, as SOME CAIs do get up there in cost. The GMPP in particular is expensive relative to other CAIs out there. Is it better? Heck, I doubt it. I bought it because it was a GM part and it looked good under the hood in addition to the (slight) performance improvement expectation. Just stuff to ponder over.

 

Loads of info on the forum. Do a search. You won't be at a loss regarding stuff to read on these topics..........

 

 

I already have an exhaust, and Im saving up right now to get a blackbear tune.

[MattHicks2010]

If they make it for your truck, a good way to go would buy the Airaid Intake Tube and an Amsoil drop in filter.

 

 

hmmm, that actually sounds pretty good. I just gotta find the stuff. Ill def be checking that out. Thanks!

[Daryl LBZ]

If they make it for your truck, a good way to go would buy the Airaid Intake Tube and an Amsoil drop in filter.

 

 

That's my exact set up. I decided against the CAI because I think the stock airbox is already a fine set up. Just needed to replace the factory air tube. Replaced the the K&N panel filter with an Amsoil nanofiber filter. Much cheaper than a full CAI and probably no difference in performance.

 

 

 

 

Yea I would have done that setup too if they made a tube for the 09 and up trucks. Instead Im running a GM Performance CAI which I really like.

[Daryl LBZ]

If they make it for your truck, a good way to go would buy the Airaid Intake Tube and an Amsoil drop in filter.

 

 

hmmm, that actually sounds pretty good. I just gotta find the stuff. Ill def be checking that out. Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

Yep no problem. Check Amazon.com for the tube they had some pretty cheap a while back.

[mxdirtrider56]

I got mine from Summit Racing for $120.

[Harvey Halabookie]

I had the full K&N FIPK kit on my '04 and thought it was great.

 

I bought a Volant CAI for my '09 and had nothing but problems with the MAF sensor and poor mileage. Was back and forth with Volant techs for weeks until they ageed to take it back for a refund. I would not buy a Volant again. Search the forum, I had many posts about the Voloant problems. Also, Jenna from Blackbear had some good info on flow numbers with differnet CAI's.

 

Now I am waiting to see if AirAid comes out with a tube for the '09-'10 models, or I may have to spring for a K&N kit before I get my tune. If the GMPP kit was still available, I would but that. The GMPP kit on my wife's Cobalt looks great, sounds nice, and you can definitely feel a difference.

[MacA]

Another vote here for the Airaid MIT and drop-in filter. But I also agree with Grumpy......you need to get a quality tune to really realize the potential of your intake and exhaust mods.

 

Good luck! Keep us posted.

[gnet158]

What ever you choose, take your time and do your research. And if your patient, you can score a good deal on the set-up of your choice. I scored new Volant CAI with extra air filter for $220 shipped. Purchased separately it would have cost $380. I'm a big fan of Volant.