Stock air intake mods

rusty01 · May 9, 2012

I am just curious if anyone has modded their stock air box. Thinking about installing a round K&N filter and playing around the box and make some type of ram air tube to direct cold air from the front of the truck to the air box. I have a 2001 GMC Sierra with the 5.3. Post pics of your mod if ya got em. Just can't justify $200 on a system that does nothing but suck in hot air from the engine compartment!

Battou62 · May 10, 2012

From what I understand the stock box is pretty efficient. I would just get a modular intake tube and be done with it.

MorrisGray · May 10, 2012

I have wondered and debated this very same thing for a while. Yesterday I found a Spectre brand at StreetSideAuto.com for 74.79, reg 149.00 and ordered it before their web site changed. And me as far as that goes because I just didn't want to spend money on something that didn't work but for 75.00 I was willing to buy it for cosmetic reasons. Results will be reported after install and trial period.

I just checked and they are back at 149.00

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BlackZ71Silverado · May 10, 2012

The stock air box is very similar in design to any aftermarket closed air box. It is open toward the wheel well like the Volant and GMPP boxes are. The only thing you could do is get a little more sound out of it by getting rid of the OEM tube.

spankrz · May 29, 2012

i am running the airraid MIT tube on my truck. i like the sound, it still pulls the cold air from the fender. performance? well, i don't own a dyno, so...

GMstrong · May 30, 2012

I would just throw a k&n filter in it.

NJ Bassmaster · May 30, 2012

I would just throw a k&n filter in it.

This. Stock boxes are efficient. Just get a k&n drop in filter and a Jr air raid tube and call it a day

Sent from my toilet-ed HTC Rezound

MikeNH · May 31, 2012

You don't gain anything with K&N drop ins other than maintenance that is a pain and less filtering ability. I'll keep buying stock types unless the intake testing BB did shows a decisive gain with one or the other, which I kind of doubt- an intake kit just isn't going to be a massive power builder.

joshw1303 · June 29, 2012

You don't gain anything with K&N drop ins other than maintenance that is a pain and less filtering ability. I'll keep buying stock types unless the intake testing BB did shows a decisive gain with one or the other, which I kind of doubt- an intake kit just isn't going to be a massive power builder.

How is a KN filter less filtering ability over crap cardboard ones that come stock?

Doug_Scott · June 30, 2012

You don't gain anything with K&N drop ins other than maintenance that is a pain and less filtering ability. I'll keep buying stock types unless the intake testing BB did shows a decisive gain with one or the other, which I kind of doubt- an intake kit just isn't going to be a massive power builder.

How is a KN filter less filtering ability over crap cardboard ones that come stock?

Its not. Some people use the logic that if it flows more it must filter less. They completely ignore that some filters can flow more air simply due to larger area of filter, and the addition of oil to the filter.

kstruckcountry · June 30, 2012

Not this argument again...

But I have to say, paper filters do filter better, it's been proven time and time again in the lab and in the real world.

MorrisGray · June 30, 2012

Doesn't K&N have an outstanding guarantee that would lead you to believe it can't be a bad filter?

I don't have one but I do have a Spectre cone filter. Why would so many people use them or pay for them if they are not better? Advertising?

502ci · June 30, 2012

I do not have a picture but I modded mine a few years ago. I had a spare 3 1/2" opening x 9" long cone type K&N laying around so I removed the stock box and then wondered how would I attach the filter...I spotted a plastic jar on my shelf, took the cap off and it fit perfectly into the rubber coupler. I cut the bottom off the jar and slid the K&N over the opening, perfect fit. I clamped them both down and was done with it in like 10 minutes...

kstruckcountry · June 30, 2012

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=145676

According to BBP, the MIT tube with the factory box and filter does very well hp wise, and is actually colder than most cold air intakes. So yeah, IMO a "cold air intake" is mostly hype. You'd be about as well off to keep the factory filter and just change the tube.

The actual cleaning the filter does is debatable, but semis and machinery generally use paper filters, and they are often in dirty environments and always demand high airflow.

BlackZ71Silverado · June 30, 2012

You don't gain anything with K&N drop ins other than maintenance that is a pain and less filtering ability. I'll keep buying stock types unless the intake testing BB did shows a decisive gain with one or the other, which I kind of doubt- an intake kit just isn't going to be a massive power builder.

A K&N style drop in filter does not have less filtering ability than a stock paper junker.

Coming from the "stock is the only way" guy I can see where you think that but it's not true. Buying a washable/reusable filter saves a lot of money over time. You only need to buy one and clean it when it needs to be cleaned....

We run K&N style filters in our DIRT modified race cars, always have and not one person has had any filtering issues. Also get maximum air flow and filtration according to 5 different engine builders, guess they are all wrong though huh?

Keep it stock