2014+ Intakes (CAI) & Air Filters

[Sooperdave]

 

So Sooper, since you have so much experience with these type of products and by the sounds of things, know a lot of the ins and outs with them, is there one brand that you prefer or find works a little above the rest? If you were to (or have) an intake installed on your truck, which one would you suggest. I know everyone has an opinion, but hearing it from a guy with experience helps a little too.

Oh jeez, don't put me up on that pedestal! LOL. Well you just can't go wrong with the K&N but the Airaid brand has been around for sometime now as well and have made a presence providing a good working product. Pick one my friend. Even the Volant. I like the looks of the Airaid but it's another bill and a half over the K&N so I am leaning that way as I'm tight.

[Btreyu09]

If I was to get one it would probably be the Volant. Not a fan of the exposed filters like the K&N.

[Sooperdave]

Wow, look at the gains on the new 5.3L Tahoe...

 

http://www.knfilters.com/dynocharts/63-3082SUV_dyno.pdf

[soltys]

Oh jeez, don't put me up on that pedestal! LOL. Well you just can't go wrong with the K&N but the Airaid brand has been around for sometime now as well and have made a presence providing a good working product. Pick one my friend. Even the Volant. I like the looks of the Airaid but it's another bill and a half over the K&N so I am leaning that way as I'm tight.

Me too. Except tight is such a negative sounding word - I prefer money conscience.

 

I would prefer a dry filter system - but with K&N offering such a rebate right now and free shipping, it's really hard not to get that one right now.

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

My .02 cents....

 

I believe every ounce of the power gained to be true of the dyno chart that was posted by K&N testing the 2014 truck intake. 10rhwp is not a lot but thats a common gain from CAI kits. Is it worth it... depends on whose buying. I was apart of testing several CAI kits(K&N, Airaid, VaraRam, MAC, Steeda and possibly more that i'm forgetting) on domestic applications over the 8 years I worked at a performance shop(gm specialist) and I don't recall one cold air intake not making any gains in power. We did test the infamous "Tornado" piece of crap and that vehicle lost power. Why... cause it was choking the air path. We tested what we sold and we also used on our personal vehicles those that we sold cause they worked. Some might have performed better than others, sure. If given the choice of a metal tube vs plastic tube we always chose the plastic so it did not hold the heat. But when designed properly to draw in only cooler air from outside of the engine bay and is free flowing path why wouldn't it work? Also the oil type filters can be problematic IF not oiled properly(over oiled). There is a method to oiling them and it's quite easy. It's all I've ever used and have never had a problem what so ever. As for doing the tube vs whole intake its just like doing a muffler vs the whole catback. Gain some with partial and even more with a whole system. Just what a person cares to spend their money on. I'll be buying a whole system for sure!

Lol, they also claimed 7hp from just their filter when I seen them cause a HP loss in every F-body that came to my dyno with one. This is why I kept cheap crap fram f-body filters in stock.

I can't imagine why a company selling such a fine product would make such a claim... Lol

 

I'm not saying their intakes don't make HP but I promise you that it's not the overpriced MAF killing cone filter (99% over oil them) that sounds like an old 800cfm quadrajet on a 305 at WOT. It will be the straight intake path that makes the difference. You spend 400 I'll spend 100 and get the same results and still hear my stereo when I go around slower traffic. You have been doing this long enough Dave, we both know what makes power.

[soltys]

You spend 400 I'll spend 100 and get the same results and still hear my stereo when I go around slower traffic. You have been doing this long enough Dave, we both know what makes power.

 

You've got a Flowmaster system installed. I've seen the youtube video, you're hearing any intake, the vehicles you're passing or you're stereo (unless it's loud) over the exhaust when you get on the go pedal.

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

 

You've got a Flowmaster system installed. I've seen the youtube video, you're hearing any intake, the vehicles you're passing or you're stereo (unless it's loud) over the exhaust when you get on the go pedal.

Lol, I don't know what you are talking about, come on over, I'll take you for a ride, it's quiet. I also have the crappy stereo ( no Bose) so I can't afford loud ( cuz I'm poor) that's why I build HP on a budget, I can't afford to throw money at it. I also do real world testing and don't buy into the hype.

 

To each is own... If you want to spend the money, by all means buy it. Some people just like the sound, that's fine. I simply stated facts, Dave has facts as well, if he did compare intakes then I believe him.

Edited April 2, 2014 by TDT

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

Oh.. I didn't have to look very far to find some REAL information. Black Bear Performance took the time to test some intakes and they are a very well respected tuner right here in our community. They also took the time to test just an intake tube leaving the stock air box in tact.

 

For those of you that take the time to read this, there is a ton of good information to sort through and see for yourself what "CAI" actually means, lol. They actually list intake temps for each setup.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/page-4?do=findComment&comment=1381935

 

Here are the results with tons of recorded Data

 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/55742651/Intake%20Testing/Intake%20Testing%20Results%20-%20Intake%20Testing%20Results.pdf

 

You know what's funny in that test, the AirRaid Jr which was used as a MIT with stock filter and housing. Made the most HP/TQ and ran the coolest temps. Exactly what I have been saying...

 

I promise I don't make this stuff up, I have nothing to gain

Edited April 2, 2014 by TDT

[Sooperdave]

Lol, they also claimed 7hp from just their filter when I seen them cause a HP loss in every F-body that came to my dyno with one. This is why I kept cheap crap fram f-body filters in stock.

I can't imagine why a company selling such a fine product would make such a claim... Lol

 

I'm not saying their intakes don't make HP but I promise you that it's not the overpriced MAF killing cone filter (99% over oil them) that sounds like an old 800cfm quadrajet on a 305 at WOT. It will be the straight intake path that makes the difference. You spend 400 I'll spend 100 and get the same results and still hear my stereo when I go around slower traffic. You have been doing this long enough Dave, we both know what makes power.

That's odd, cause a lid and holley or K&N was the best thing for the F-body's... at least on our dyno tests. The K&N filter was always worth a few more ponies over a paper filter. If it wasn't, we wouldn't have sold it. This is assuming your referring to the LS1 F-body? If not, oh well. And are you saying the mentioned 2014 truck air intakes do or don't make power as I read your post earlier that said they won't and now your saying something else? I'm claming you WILL see a gain in power period and throughout the whole powerband(just like K&N's dyno chart) and as I mentioned earlier you will gain just a few more ponies over just the pipe as it will make a complete system upgrade. Again, its your own experience and my own experience. You may have very well seen losses on something. I'm saying I haven't seen a loss and CAI intakes have been proven over and over again on late model fuel injected applications. I'll spend $252 dollars(Jegs) and you spend your $100. I will be happy and you will be happy. To each his own and their own beliefs. Its all in good fun man!

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

That's odd, cause a lid and holley or K&N was the best thing for the F-body's... at least on our dyno tests. The K&N filter was always worth a few more ponies over a paper filter. If it wasn't, we wouldn't have sold it. This is assuming your referring to the LS1 F-body? If not, oh well. And are you saying the mentioned 2014 truck air intakes do or don't make power as I read your post earlier that said they won't and now your saying something else? I'm claming you WILL see a gain in power period and throughout the whole powerband(just like K&N's dyno chart) and as I mentioned earlier you will gain just a few more ponies over just the pipe as it will make a complete system upgrade. Again, its your own experience and my own experience. You may have very well seen losses on something. I'm saying I haven't seen a loss and CAI intakes have been proven over and over again on late model fuel injected applications. I'll spend $252 dollars(Jegs) and you spend your $100. I will be happy and you will be happy. To each his own and their own beliefs. Its all in good fun man!

On my testing, a lid and a paper element was the best but i was excluding the lids and yes...Element for element on an LS1. I wish I still had dyno graphs, it was all on PC that I sold with Dyno.

 

On another note, I stand corrected, I went back and read what I said and you are right, I did say no HP gains. That's not what I meant, sometimes I get half of what I meant to say typed out when I'm hammering this out with my thumbs on a damn cell phone. I meant to say no gains over just replacing the intake tube. My apologies for the confusion and I will go back and edit it.

 

Oh, Dave... Read the intake temps on the K&N system in my previous post. I can play this all day long. Maybe I'm slow but what does "CAI" actually stand for. It created the most heat... Very odd. When you tune enough you see this all the time.

 

Oh just in case scrolling up is an issue (wink)

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/page-4#entry1381935'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/page-4#entry1381935'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/page-4#entry1381935'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/page-4#entry1381935"]http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/page-4#entry1381935

 

Here are the results with tons of recorded Data

 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/55742651/Intake%20Testing/Intake%20Testing%20Results%20-%20Intake%20Testing%20Results.pdf

Edited April 2, 2014 by TDT

[SY2455]

Wow, look at the gains on the new 5.3L Tahoe...

 

http://www.knfilters.com/dynocharts/63-3082SUV_dyno.pdf

Something is not right with that test. How did that Tahoe gain 4,370 miles in less than 2.16 hrs?

Edited April 2, 2014 by SY2455

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

Something is not right with that test. How did that Tahoe gain 4,370 miles in less than 2.16 hrs?

 

Damn SY.... CSI much?

That's not as strange as the claimed HP though, LOL

 

Oh wait... I forgot to add this...

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/page-4?do=findComment&comment=1381935

 

Here are the results with tons of recorded Data

 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/55742651/Intake%20Testing/Intake%20Testing%20Results%20-%20Intake%20Testing%20Results.pdf

 

Edited April 3, 2014 by TDT

[Sooperdave]

On my testing, a lid and a paper element was the best but i was excluding the lids and yes...Element for element on an LS1. I wish I still had dyno graphs, it was all on PC that I sold with Dyno.

 

On another note, I stand corrected, I went back and read what I said and you are right, I did say no HP gains. That's not what I meant, sometimes I get half of what I meant to say typed out when I'm hammering this out with my thumbs on a damn cell phone. I meant to say no gains over just replacing the intake tube. My apologies for the confusion and I will go back and edit it.

 

Oh, Dave... Read the intake temps on the K&N system in my previous post. I can play this all day long. Maybe I'm slow but what does "CAI" actually stand for. It created the most heat... Very odd. When you tune enough you see this all the time.

 

Oh just in case scrolling up is an issue (wink)

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/page-4#entry1381935'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/page-4#entry1381935'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/page-4#entry1381935'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/page-4#entry1381935"]http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/145676-bbp-independent-intake-test-results/page-4#entry1381935

 

Here are the results with tons of recorded Data

 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/55742651/Intake%20Testing/Intake%20Testing%20Results%20-%20Intake%20Testing%20Results.pdf

I'm assuming these tests were done with the hood closed? This completes the enclosing of the filter. If not it very well could be drawing in hot air vs a factory closed box. Just a thought. I definitely understand air intake temps. I had originally installed a KN filter directly on the throttle body on my 91 Camaro. Later I made my own cold air intake. It moved the filter to the area behind the headlights. Without it actually being in an enclosed box the temps dropped signicantly which in turned made a few more ponies. Also, I had to relocate the temp sensor out of the MAF on my G8 in order to keep the sensor from getting heat soaked. I used a Vararam system on it. When track testing I always looked at the intake temps. BTW, would you know if a DashHawk(yeah it's old, lol) would work on this 14 truck? I used it on my 06 SS TB and my 09 G8. I think MSD took them over a while back but I think it's currently no longer.

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

I'm assuming these tests were done with the hood closed? This completes the enclosing of the filter. If not it very well could be drawing in hot air vs a factory closed box. Just a thought. I definitely understand air intake temps. I had originally installed a KN filter directly on the throttle body on my 91 Camaro. Later I made my own cold air intake. It moved the filter to the area behind the headlights. Without it actually being in an enclosed box the temps dropped signicantly which in turned made a few more ponies. Also, I had to relocate the temp sensor out of the MAF on my G8 in order to keep the sensor from getting heat soaked. I used a Vararam system on it. When track testing I always looked at the intake temps. BTW, would you know if a DashHawk(yeah it's old, lol) would work on this 14 truck? I used it on my 06 SS TB and my 09 G8. I think MSD took them over a while back but I think it's currently no longer.

Tests were done with hood down.

 

I had to also remove my IAT sensor from MAF and add a faster response sensor to the air box ov my CTSV just to make it more accurate due to the same heat soak issues and a lot more tuner friendly on what little boost I was giving it. One of those little tricks very few know about.

 

Dashawk.... Lol, I think MSD fired the only guy working on that back in 08/09, back when they were pushing that Firehawk unit which I'm not sure even got off the ground. I haven't heard that name in years. What do you have to loose, plug it in. GM has used a lot of the same sensor addresses and PID's for years. Maybe some of them will still work.

 

Save that K&N money and put it towards HPtuners or EFI Live (they aren't tuning the trannies yet though) , every sensor/PID in the ECU is capable of being logged and then there is the added benefit of tuning. (Sorry, couldn't resist -lol)

[Sooperdave]

Tests were done with hood down.

 

I had to also remove my IAT sensor from MAF and add a faster response sensor to the air box ov my CTSV just to make it more accurate due to the same heat soak issues and a lot more tuner friendly on what little boost I was giving it. One of those little tricks very few know about.

 

Dashawk.... Lol, I think MSD fired the only guy working on that back in 08/09, back when they were pushing that Firehawk unit which I'm not sure even got off the ground. I haven't heard that name in years. What do you have to loose, plug it in. GM has used a lot of the same sensor addresses and PID's for years. Maybe some of them will still work.

 

Save that K&N money and put it towards HPtuners or EFI Live (they aren't tuning the trannies yet though) , every sensor/PID in the ECU is capable of being logged and then there is the added benefit of tuning. (Sorry, couldn't resist -lol)

Interesting...

 

I think your right as the msd support forum is full of posts from 2010 or earlier. LOL. Yeah I guess I will try plugging it in... shouldn't hurt anything.

 

I guess it's a lil intimidating on the newer tuning stuff since I always just let my old boss do the tuning(it was free too). I do have/use TunerCat on my Camaro for the factory computer after I got tired of dealing with an out of town shop on trying to get the programming correct. Of course that puter is basic stuff compared to the new. It'll be a while before I do anything though. I've very happy with they way the 6.2 runs and drives. I know the potential for more is there as I can feel differences in the power sometimes at certain throttle.