GM CAI Install @ Dealership

JAshworth03 · December 19, 2019

I took advantage of the 25% off Chevy accessory deal and purchased the GM CAI. During checkout there was an option for them to install for $20. I could do it myself, but for $20 and how cold it is out, I thought, why not!

They called today to schedule the install. I specifically asked them if the install included the ECM programming after install. They told me that it's not included and not something they would do AND that its something that is not necessary. I explained to them that it does indeed need it and the labor code is in the manual as well as instructions for install. They said that if its in the instructions they would do it, but I'm not confident.

When I go to pick up, is there any way for me to tell if they actually did the programming? Will my radio presets be reset (from battery disconnect) or anything like that?

greco2003 · December 19, 2019

On your invoice it should show a reflash of the cpu idk how it will look on the write up I haven’t gotten mine yet.

BlaineBug · December 20, 2019

I've never heard of the necessity to reprogram anything so as long as the intake tube diameter where the MAF sensor is remains the same inner diameter as it was before. However, if the new intake tube is a larger diameter and does not neck down to the factory size by the MAF sensor, then yes, programming is required to change the MAF diameter.

gre24ene · December 20, 2019

Where/how did you get 25% off accessories?

JAshworth03 · December 20, 2019

It’s on the front page of the Chevy accessories page.

15% off $100 - $250

20% off $250 - $500

25% off $500+

SquireSCA · December 20, 2019

Looks like a good deal, but does it truly come with updated ECM programming and any boost in performance?

If not, even with that discount, its still a $500 upgrade that just looks a little nicer when the hood is open...

Scooter Scott · December 20, 2019

I just looked at the exhaust as that is something I've wanted...I thought the cost used to be $1200...now its $1645. Had to cover the discounts I guess...

SquireSCA · December 20, 2019

15 minutes ago, Scooter Scott said:

I just looked at the exhaust as that is something I've wanted...I thought the cost used to be $1200...now its $1645. Had to cover the discounts I guess...

You get the same sound from a $100 muffler delete.

Scooter Scott · December 20, 2019

3 minutes ago, SquireSCA said:

You get the same sound from a $100 muffler delete.

Ha yeah I just haven't seen enough videos yet on this to pull the trigger.

SquireSCA · December 20, 2019

There are a few videos we posted recently... The good thing is that you can try it out and if you don't like it, reverse it, or go get the catback system...

You can easily remove the muffler and flapper yourself, and clamp in a piece of flexi-pipe if you want, so you aren't even welding anything... If you don't like it, take the truck and the muffler to a muffler shop and toss them a few bucks to weld it back on.

Scooter Scott · December 20, 2019

1 minute ago, SquireSCA said:

There are a few videos we posted recently... The good thing is that you can try it out and if you don't like it, reverse it, or go get the catback system...

You can easily remove the muffler and flapper yourself, and clamp in a piece of flexi-pipe if you want, so you aren't even welding anything... If you don't like it, take the truck and the muffler to a muffler shop and toss them a few bucks to weld it back on.

I'm almost laughing hysterically at a piece of flexipipe on a $50k truck lol

SquireSCA · December 20, 2019

Yeah, but it works if you want to "try it before you buy it"... haha

I did that, drove it for a few days to make sure I liked the sound, make sure there was no droning or anything wonky, and then went to a shop to have a piece of pipe welded in properly...

At the end of the day, if we are just talking cat back, a piece of pipe is a piece of pipe. They all gonna perform roughly the same.

What people are impressed with is the sound... nobody is crawling under your truck to see what label is stamped on the pipe. If it sounds good, it IS good.

SquireSCA · December 20, 2019

I decided against the CAI. For half the money, I ordered the Airaid MIT kit.

Seen too many reviews and dyno runs of the MIT giving the same results as a full CAI box... It seems that in most cases, the restriction isn't in the box, or the filter, it is in what connects that box to the motor.

Blackbear performance published a lot of hard data from the dyno room comparing all the popular CAI's on the last gen Silverado, and the MIT was right there with them. Best bang for the buck. So that's what I ordered.

Jhall124jr · December 20, 2019

It does come with a reflash for the maf, do not let them tell you it's not included in the price of the intake, they tried that with me. The reflash is included. There is a conformation code, and labor code in the package. Also it did make a diffrence in how my truck ran after the reflash.

Limelight · December 21, 2019

6 hours ago, Jhall124jr said:

It does come with a reflash for the maf, do not let them tell you it's not included in the price of the intake, they tried that with me. The reflash is included. There is a conformation code, and labor code in the package. Also it did make a diffrence in how my truck ran after the reflash.

What differences did you notice?

I have had mine installed for a few months but haven’t gotten the reflash done...