Cold Air Intake

DanHc · March 6, 2019

1 hour ago, OnTheReel said:

I wonder what this fine print means:

“Horsepower gains based on similar vehicle dynamometer test. Results will vary.”

Those numbers seem pretty sensational and don’t really mesh when you consider the numbers gained from the AT4 off road performance package, which includes both the GM performance exhaust and the GM intake.

“Thanks to these additions, the AT4 Off-Road Package delivers 435 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque - increases of 15 horsepower and 9 lb-ft of torque over a Sierra equipped with a conventional 6.2L.”

The GM exhaust from that truck is listed in the accessories store as being good for +13hp and +8tq by itself. Simple math would then indicate that the GM intake is then only good for +2hp and +1tq. That would explain why GM doesn’t directly publish the gains from the intake apart from a % airflow increase...pretty sad.

So, either the GM CAI is terrible, the K&N is really great, or someone is lying???

Curious what everyone makes of this because I am definitely in the market. That said, I’m not in love with using a K&N oiled filter and destroying my MAF sensor...

Not sure but I’ve always put k&n intakes on my trucks and never had a problem with the MAF sensor. Besides that they sound great

lt1z · March 6, 2019

Found the dyno sheet for the K&N. Pretty impressive. Guess I got some thinking to do.

Wonder why they would run a 10 speed in 3rd. I guess the mph limiter was in the way of running it in the proper gear without tuning. I run 10speeds in 6th on the dyno even though 7th is 1:1

Jack D · March 6, 2019

You have to take the cold air intake test results with a grain of salt. Is the air filter/filter-box sealed, or open? Most dyno tests are run with the hood open, and a large cooling fan placed in front of the vehicle. If the CAI has an open air box (no sealed lid like the GM) the cooling fan and extra air can elevate the HP/TQ output figures, but once you close the hood the filter element doesn't get as much air as when it was open, therefore not as much HP/TQ as the manufacturer claimed. CAI dyno test results with a closed air box (like the GM factory CAI) may more closely resemble real-life gains. Also, some dynamometer brands give higher readings than others, so some CAI manufacturers will use the higher reading dynos for their tests.

Another important feature of a closed air box is less resonance/drone in the cab while driving. If the hood is what seals the air box, it will pick up extra noise & vibrations, transmitting them to the firewall and cab. A sealed box also guarantees that your intake won't be sucking hot under-hood air, only the cooler outside air. Filters also tend to stay cleaner in a sealed box.

I used to run K&N CAI's but switched to the Cold Air Inductions brand on my 2012 & 2015 Camaros. Couldn't be happier. Check out the Cold Air Inductions website: https://www.coldairinductions.com/ Their 2019 Silverado/ Sierra CAI's should be out soon. The GM factory intakes are similar.

OnTheReel · March 7, 2019

Interesting inputs @Jack D, and good point about the noise as well. I wouldn’t mind a little growl but I don’t want too much.

The K&N one looks to be sealed. Right now I’m torn between K&N, the GM, and the one linked below from AFE which is also sealed and looks to also have a resonator on the tube where the PCV line comes in.

Regardless, neither one of the aftermarket ones are available at the moment. K&N is sold out and the AFE not available until May.

AFE could swing me as they offer it with a dry filter and still produces reasonably good numbers. I know my concerns about oil fouling the MAF are not founded so long as the filter isn’t over saturated, but I feel like from a warranty standpoint, GM couldn’t really give me any grief about using a dry filter since that’s what their own CAI uses.

https://afepower.com/afe-power-50-70044r-momentum-gt-pro-5r-cold-air-intake-system

KA0S · March 7, 2019

15 hours ago, OnTheReel said:

Interesting inputs @Jack D, and good point about the noise as well. I wouldn’t mind a little growl but I don’t want too much.

The K&N one looks to be sealed. Right now I’m torn between K&N, the GM, and the one linked below from AFE which is also sealed and looks to also have a resonator on the tube where the PCV line comes in.

Regardless, neither one of the aftermarket ones are available at the moment. K&N is sold out and the AFE not available until May.

AFE could swing me as they offer it with a dry filter and still produces reasonably good numbers. I know my concerns about oil fouling the MAF are not founded so long as the filter isn’t over saturated, but I feel like from a warranty standpoint, GM couldn’t really give me any grief about using a dry filter since that’s what their own CAI uses.

https://afepower.com/afe-power-50-70044r-momentum-gt-pro-5r-cold-air-intake-system

I'd get the AFE one for sure. At least it looks a little nicer than the K&N...I know looks don't mean much when it's under a closed hood, but I feel like it looks more "premium" than the K&N.....

Jordan Spence · March 9, 2019

From what I’ve saw on a K & N I wouldn’t even consider one..

DanHc · March 9, 2019

4 hours ago, Jordan Spence said:

From what I’ve saw on a K & N I wouldn’t even consider one..

Can you elaborate on that? Because I just put my order in....

aha1987 · March 9, 2019

I’ve heard that cold air intakes improve mpg. Is this true?

carnau · March 9, 2019

The new Silverado's actually already have a cold air system on them. Check out this video.

OnTheReel · March 9, 2019

6 minutes ago, carnau said:

The new Silverado's actually already have a cold air system on them. Check out this video.

Everything is different in the T1. Air box is on the driver’s side now. While I don’t doubt it is set up similarly, as are most OEM airboxes, there is still room for improvement. Ditching the stock intake tube and it’s big resonator thing was always a nice power gain on the K2s. Between that, a better filter and a better box I think there’s some power to be had. Supposedly some fuel economy too though I never noticed a difference. Probably have my foot to the floor too much.

Jordan Spence · March 10, 2019

2 hours ago, DanHc said:

Can you elaborate on that? Because I just put my order in....

Well I’ll put it this way. In the sand that we farm in they won’t stop the dust. In 90% of other situations they will be fine ime sure!

OnTheReel · March 10, 2019

3 minutes ago, Jordan Spence said:

Well I’ll put it this way. In the sand that we farm in they won’t stop the dust. In 90% of other situations they will be fine ime sure!

I would say the same would go for virtually any aftermarket filter, not just the K&N.

DanHc · March 24, 2019

My K&N arrives Tuesday guys let’s see how it goes

Bfdfreddie · March 24, 2019

On 3/5/2019 at 4:31 PM, MadCaddie said:

New Era Performance released theirs. Expensive at $400+, but 16hp/21tq on the 5.3 seems fairly good.

Im was gonna wait and see what else came out but the plan is to dyno before and after the intake for my 6.2

I will have one for sale off my AT4 in a couple months. I did not know this till after I ordered my truck. I am getting whipples supercharger for my 6.2 and it gets rid of the GMC upgraded air filter. It will be brand new and I will probably advertise around 250 plus shipping. Send me a message if you think you will be interested.

MadCaddie · March 24, 2019

3 hours ago, Bfdfreddie said:

I will have one for sale off my AT4 in a couple months. I did not know this till after I ordered my truck. I am getting whipples supercharger for my 6.2 and it gets rid of the GMC upgraded air filter. It will be brand new and I will probably advertise around 250 plus shipping. Send me a message if you think you will be interested.

Im definitely interested, but I don't think you're going to be able to SC anytime soon. That's something I plan on doing as well, but until they crack our ECMs, it's a no go.