Beware of Cold Air Intakes

[Red6.2]

I put an S and B cold air air intake on my 2024 Silverado 6.2 when it had about 1,000 miles on it and have always maintained it. I had been noticing that the truck seemed down on power and just wasn’t running right. I never thought it really did. I was thinking more about the s and b design with the air scoop just pulling hot air and all of the weird intake noises I got from it. The placement of the maf sensor by the pcv hose also made me question it. I have about 13,400 miles on the truck and today I was driving around and decided I was going to put the stock airbox back in it. I just thought that the s and b was not helping the truck. Right before I was going home to put the stock airbox in and got a check engine light for the first time and the truck really wasn’t running good. Pulled the s and b out and put the stock airbox in and all the codes for the maf sensor and map sensor went away. It was like driving a whole new truck. My fuel mileage went up to about 18mpg (was getting 9) and the power and smoothness of the truck was amazing. I realized that the truck already came with a cold air intake and that all aftermarket ones do is provide sound which makes you think they help when really all they do is cause problems and make the engine perform worse. One thing I did notice on the s and b was the pcv inlet tube was leaking a bit which could have contributed to some of the problem. I also think I got the s and b put in the truck before it was fully broke in so I thought it made more power but really didn’t since the truck was not even broke in yet. I was surprised because s and b was supposed to be a higher end air intake. The only performance air intake I would consider is the one made by GM. Sorry for the long thread, just thought I would put my experience in here to warn others about these so called aftermarket cold air intakes that do absolutely nothing for your truck but make sounds.

[silveradosid]

just like exhaust systems, more noise but not any better unless you are going to tune the engine

[Z45]

10 minutes ago, silveradosid said:

just like exhaust systems, more noise but not any better unless you are going to tune the engine

and race..............

[Red6.2]

2 hours ago, silveradosid said:

just like exhaust systems, more noise but not any better unless you are going to tune the engine

I have a borla on mine and I can say i could feel that there was a bit more power and it was better flowing but definitely nothing compared if you were going to get a tune like you said.

[Transient]

I've had the GM intake on my truck since day 1 of ownership (July 31, 2020).  I have almost 77,000 miles on my truck now.  The part of this intake that I hate is the dealerships want $120 for the filter every 20,000 miles.  I was able to find one for $60 at Rock Auto.  I also learned the GM CAI was commissioned by GM and made by K&N.  As a result, I decided to clean the filter with K&N's filter recharger kit.  I've had 0 issues with this.  I definitely recommend the GM CAI if you can get your hands on it. 

[Red6.2]

1 hour ago, Transient said:

I've had the GM intake on my truck since day 1 of ownership (July 31, 2020).  I have almost 77,000 miles on my truck now.  The part of this intake that I hate is the dealerships want $120 for the filter every 20,000 miles.  I was able to find one for $60 at Rock Auto.  I also learned the GM CAI was commissioned by GM and made by K&N.  As a result, I decided to clean the filter with K&N's filter recharger kit.  I've had 0 issues with this.  I definitely recommend the GM CAI if you can get your hands on it. 

I will definitely try to find one

[asilverblazer]

Who's got the data for how much colder the IAT's are on a stock GM intake vs. the GM CAI?

[Red6.2]

3 hours ago, asilverblazer said:

Who's got the data for how much colder the IAT's are on a stock GM intake vs. the GM CAI?

On my s and b the intake temps went up about 8-10 degrees

[asilverblazer]

20 hours ago, Red6.2 said:

On my s and b the intake temps went up about 8-10 degrees

Thats funny!

[redwngr]

With  the stock system, cold air coming thru the trucks front grill flows up thru the slotted area circled in green, the travels to the round area her hand is over and flows down to the connection to the filter and intake.

 

S&B takes air that way, but blends it with cold air drawn from under the hood at the slots circled in yellow at the filter box and air taken from near headlight. 

 

Of course the under hood air has travelled thru the radiators....

 

 

Picture is from  S&B video for 'cold air intake for 5.3 and 6.2'

 

https://sbfilters.com/products/silverado-sierra-1500-intake-75-5128

Edited February 22, 2025 by redwngr

[KARNUT]

I used to modify my trucks. There’s nothing I would do to my truck that wasn’t blessed by the dealer. Even changing the tire size. They’re so jammed up with sensors and technology it’s easy to mess them up. If you happened to get a problem truck or a recall you’re screwed. You can order or buy a truck with just about anything you desire. Spend the money on extended warranty. Leaving the mods to the manufacturer. 

[PunchT37]

I don`t like the fact that most don`t have the bellows in the tube to allow for engine lean. I had a k&n kit on my old 2000 1500, 5.3. Took it off as I noticed the stress and the movement of the rubber collar on the throttle body. Basically pulling the tube out and allowing dirt and un metered air in.

[Red6.2]

5 hours ago, KARNUT said:

 

Edited February 22, 2025 by Red6.2

[Red6.2]

2 hours ago, PunchT37 said:

I don`t like the fact that most don`t have the bellows in the tube to allow for engine lean. I had a k&n kit on my old 2000 1500, 5.3. Took it off as I noticed the stress and the movement of the rubber collar on the throttle body. Basically pulling the tube out and allowing dirt and un metered air in.

I agree. I had to keep tightening my s and b clamps on the throttle body.

[Red6.2]

6 hours ago, redwngr said:

With  the stock system, cold air coming thru the trucks front grill flows up thru the slotted area circled in green, the travels to the round area her hand is over and flows down to the connection to the filter and intake.

 

S&B takes air that way, but blends it with cold air drawn from under the hood at the slots circled in yellow at the filter box and air taken from near headlight. 

 

Of course the under hood air has travelled thru the radiators....

 

 

Picture is from  S&B video for 'cold air intake for 5.3 and 6.2'

 

https://sbfilters.com/products/silverado-sierra-1500-intake-75-5128

I don’t see how the s and b pulls air from the headlight. It’s completely sealed off.