Aftermarket Intake System For 2009 Sierra 5.3

[joelbunge]

I have a 2009 GMC Sierra with the 5.3l in it and originally was sure I would put a CAI on it, but after reading some threads it seems a lot of people are saying the new GMs already have excellent intake systems on them and aftermarket intakes are a waist of money. I was looking through autoanything and decided to read some reviews on them. It seems that almost everyone with a GM gave a very good review, but most of them were 2008 or older. I also plan to eventually get a blackbear tune. My question is, Is it worth the money to get a CAI? will the tune get more out of it? I also have a cherry bomb muffler with dust tailpipe, will that have any factor it perfromance with the CAI? and what is the best product out.

[mhenshaw]

I have a 2009 GMC Sierra with the 5.3l in it and originally was sure I would put a CAI on it, but after reading some threads it seems a lot of people are saying the new GMs already have excellent intake systems on them and aftermarket intakes are a waist of money. I was looking through autoanything and decided to read some reviews on them. It seems that almost everyone with a GM gave a very good review, but most of them were 2008 or older. I also plan to eventually get a blackbear tune. My question is, Is it worth the money to get a CAI? will the tune get more out of it? I also have a cherry bomb muffler with dust tailpipe, will that have any factor it perfromance with the CAI? and what is the best product out.

 

 

No, They are not worth the money.

You don't need one for a tune because your factory one flows enough air

You may get 1-2 hp at like 5500 rpm with the exhaust. No difference anywhere else. So unless you plan on flooring your truck everywhere its a waste of money IMO

 

Yes your are going to read good reviews because no one is going to spend $300 and say that it didn't do anything. The only difference they can tell is the sound because the factory intakes have mufflers to keep them quiet.

 

If you spend $100 on a tb spacer you are going to tell people it works, but we all know they do nothing on efi motors.

[joelbunge]

I have a 2009 GMC Sierra with the 5.3l in it and originally was sure I would put a CAI on it, but after reading some threads it seems a lot of people are saying the new GMs already have excellent intake systems on them and aftermarket intakes are a waist of money. I was looking through autoanything and decided to read some reviews on them. It seems that almost everyone with a GM gave a very good review, but most of them were 2008 or older. I also plan to eventually get a blackbear tune. My question is, Is it worth the money to get a CAI? will the tune get more out of it? I also have a cherry bomb muffler with dust tailpipe, will that have any factor it perfromance with the CAI? and what is the best product out.

 

 

No, They are not worth the money.

You don't need one for a tune because your factory one flows enough air

You may get 1-2 hp at like 5500 rpm with the exhaust. No difference anywhere else. So unless you plan on flooring your truck everywhere its a waste of money IMO

 

Yes your are going to read good reviews because no one is going to spend $300 and say that it didn't do anything. The only difference they can tell is the sound because the factory intakes have mufflers to keep them quiet.

 

If you spend $100 on a tb spacer you are going to tell people it works, but we all know they do nothing on efi motors.

 

 

Thanks for the quick response..I appreciate the info. I will probably hold off on the CAI. I can find much better ways to spend my $350 than on an intake that really only gives a whistle. Thanks again

[mhenshaw]

No problem, these are just my opinions, but I do recomend the Airaid Intake Tube. I would like to get one, but I still dont see the need.

 

Here are the actual facts from BlackBear:

 

BlackBear CAI Reviews

[sic lsx]

what he said!

[stlavsa]

No intake is ever worth 350 dollars its a rip off.. Do something like a high flow panel filter in the stock airbox and the Airraid MIT tube.. ORRRR go on ebay and search for silverado intake, buy the one that costs like 70 bucks its a tube a cone filter and a heat shield.. Then choose a quality cone filter to replace the generic one with and your set. Can be done for probably 120 bucks give or take.

[BigBlueLB756]

Joy killer.

[jnpaddison]

I do like the sound of the AIR-AID MIT - what it does to the performance - i dunno - but sounds good ,,, like flipping the air filter cover on a carburetor'd system from long ago ...

[jdubub]

The only reason I have a CAI is because I got it along with my hypertech programmer for $380 all together off of a buddy that totalled his 07 new body style VMAX. The only thing i saw was a little better throttle response at WOT. Other than that...... nothing. I would say do not waste your money