just an observation

pastorscott · October 18, 2006

like all you guys I want the best coolest suff for my truck, I did the exhaust upgrade I even changed out my air intake tube (only) with an airraid one. I thought over and over about the complete cold air systems, but after a reality check I found that what GM spent much time of research on might be the best it gets. Now correct me if Im worng. When we go with those cool open air element systems , dont we really bring in more hot engine air then factory. Take a look guys, the factory air box is completely closed in away from engine heat, 2nd if you follow the inlet that supplies that air to the box its routed right from the outer fender with fresh cold forced air. My point is this, change the tube yes, change your filter yes, but the stock box is the best system. Sure its not cool looking but heck, if you want cold air from the OUTSIDE its perfect.

just myown dumb thought

Scott

2004 5.3 burb

C & A s Dad · October 18, 2006

I will have to agree with you 100%. You will see in my sig that I did the same thing but I went with the Trueflow tube and filter. If you have not taken at look at Trueflow's website and video contained there, you really should. The also agree that the factory bax will flow far more air than your engine can use. It is also interesting to note that they run their dyno tests with the hood closed while some of the other companies run their test with the hood open and with a fan blowing on the open filter element.

C & A s Dad · October 18, 2006

I PM'd you about your Taylor wires. Did not want to jump your thread but really wanted to know what made you choose Taylor's over MSD.

pastorscott · October 18, 2006

The Taylor wires are great, they were easy to install, nut be prepaired to pull hard on the factory ones to get them off. I like the wires since they are of lower resistance and yes they do look cool. Brite Red with black boots. Also dont forget to use the lube they give you on each one. After shoping on line for days and checking out the stats verse price. I found the Taylors to be good. Do they make me go faster ? probably no , but of there is any gain its very small.

To be honest I changed them for the looks (they look good)

Scott

pastorscott · October 18, 2006

Now I have a question for you, tell me about your true flow.

Scott

overlord1 · October 18, 2006

Now I have a question for you, tell me about your true flow.

Scott

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In my opinion the True Flow is the way to go! I made my own "poor mans" True Flow CAI for less than $150. I simply ordered the True Flow OEM style filter for $40 then ordered the Airaid intake tube for $90. If you get the True Flow CAI for $250 the only difference is the nice mandrel bent intake tube that is part of the kit. Sure it looks nice but I doubt it flows any better than the Airaid tube. I really like the True Flow foam filter, it looks MUCH more substantial than the K&N filter. I've had my setup for the last 5K miles and so far so good. I cannot say that performance is any better because if it is the improvement is miniscule. It does sound throatier at mid to upper throttle applications and fuel mileage is maybe .5mpg higher. For $150 I would say it was a worthwhile modification.

Ed

BOWTIE 3 · October 18, 2006

I have an '01 Silverado. I noticed that the stock air-intake tube [ before the filter ] is just too small. It's cold air but it's really insufficent. What I did was cut-out the front of the air-box prior to the filter, sort of a triangular shape. It still takes in cold air from behind the headlight and supplies a lot more of it. I've also read where the stock air-tube from the filter to the intake really isn't the problem, it's the volume of air BEFORE the filter. As far as getting the filter dirtier, it hasn't made any difference at all.

C & A s Dad · October 19, 2006

Ed, I am sure you are flowing as well as the True Flow and I also really like the foam filter and believe it filters far better than cotton gauze and even better than paper and certainly flows better than paper. I have had absolutely no oil behind the filter and I believe this is due the their "sticky" oil that contains a glue agent.

Scott, the TF is very well made, fits perfectly and as with your wires, it looks realy nice. The silicone connetor pieces are bright red and really set off the engine bay. I researched this far too long before ordering but their website and the video contained their offers some great info. I cannot say their is a great deal of power increase but when I am towing it seems to really help while running in my "sweet spot" 2200 to 3500 RPMs.

Scott, I am will send you some shots of a few other mods under my hood that tie in very well with the Red connectors on the TF.

I have a set of MSD and Taylors waiting on me at a speed shop right now. I will be back in town Monday to take a look and make my final decision. I am leaning towards the Taylors right now because they were so nice to me when I called and e mailed them. The provided me with a great deal of info about their product and company and MSD really saidn nothing to convince me their product was better. The biggest thing that scares me about the MSD is the boots and Jackets are not 100% silicone but also contain EDPM or other plastic type material. These products are not known for holding up well under the hood.

asepgrad98 · October 19, 2006

i personally believe that those cold air intake systems are a waste of money as the throttle body is WAY more restrictive than the stock air box.

pastorscott · October 20, 2006

Ed

thanks for the info (( I need more)) !!! Im one of those who has to know it all. I like you did the cheapo upgrade, Airaid tube and K and N drop in. Now looking at your set up it seems even better. So my questions are these, 1 is that true flow a floppy type filter that can get sucked in. (thats what I picture when I picture foam) 2 the question of the oil, Im not happy with my K and N oiled air filter. Is there the same porblem with the oil getting on Mass air ? how abou the air flow, is it as good as the K and N. With better air and filtration it seems to ggod, but ill tust you.

thanks

Scott

cmoore74 · October 20, 2006

Ed

thanks for the info (( I need more)) !!! Im one of those who has to know it all. I like you did the cheapo upgrade, Airaid tube and K and N drop in. Now looking at your set up it seems even better. So my questions are these, 1 is that true flow a floppy type filter that can get sucked in. (thats what I picture when I picture foam) 2 the question of the oil, Im not happy with my K and N oiled air filter. Is there the same porblem with the oil getting on Mass air ? how abou the air flow, is it as good as the K and N. With better air and filtration it seems to ggod, but ill tust you.

thanks

Scott

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Scott,

Out of curiousity why are you not happy with the K&N? Are you having problems or is it from reading posts on the board? I often wonder how many of the complaints are just snow-balled from one persons bad experience which may have been their own fault (i.e. like saturating the filter in oil).

I ran K&N's in the last 3 trucks and never had a problem with the MAF. Probably have a combined total of 200k + miles on K&N's with no problems. MAF always looks clean with no sign of filter oil on them.

I have the K&N OEM replacement (not the cold air intake) on the new truck and now I'm considering the additon of the Air Raid tube.

pastorscott · October 20, 2006

Your Right

Ive never had a problem in all my K and N trucks but yes the post make me think, Guess its dum and also I would like to know if something is better. Ive heard that the K and N does not filter as good.

Scott

Mr. Smith · October 20, 2006

I wouldn't put a K&N on a lawnmower that is my opinion. The cold-air intake stuff is a great marketing gimmick and they make tons of money with it.

The factory filter and intake works ecellent and I have the UOA's to back it up on my truck and the wifes.

cmoore74 · October 20, 2006

I wouldn't put a K&N on a lawnmower that is my opinion. The cold-air intake stuff is a great marketing gimmick and they make tons of money with it.

The factory filter and intake works ecellent and I have the UOA's to back it up on my truck and the wifes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Everyone is entitled to thier opinion.

Speaking from experience I had a cold air intake on the last truck (2000 S-10 4.3L V6) and it made a very noticeable difference throttle response, much quicker response. While I never dyno'd the truck I'm sure there was a HP increase (can't get an increase in throttle response unless some restriction was removed and less restriction would mean more HP). As for MPG increase I think that is a load of BS. Whether it was worth the $200 or not that is debatable, but the truck was definitely more fun to drive.

I've heard a larger throttle body will basically do the same.

My understanding is that the airbox on these trucks are oversized with the 5.3L and therefore have relatively low restriction so a cold air intake probably would get you much if anything over a drop in filter and replacing the debatably restrictive tube to the throttle body.

Have you used a K&N and had a negative experience?

I figure as long as I keep up with the oil analysis and have no indication of poor filtration then the K&N should be OK. An oil filter analysis will show high levels of silica (sand) if the filtration is poor and I have no indications of such.

eestubbs104 · September 8, 2007

Anyone have any thoughts on the Chevy Volant Cold Air Intake Systems? http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/vol-chevy-truck.html

This systems seems to mirror the factory air boxes in the fact that it show a completely cover air filter. Let me add a statement from the web site: By adding a Volant Chevy cold air intake system you can increase your horsepower up by 18. Volant Chevy cold air intake systems increase gas mileage, increase horsepower, and increases 40lbs of torque. The Airbox on the Volant Chevy cold air intake systems inhales fresh air using its huge 4" inch fender duct. Taking cold fresh air into the Volant Chevy cold air intake system from the outside the compartment of the engine, the high-performance reusable cotton gauge filter shields the heat from the engine.

Right now, I am running strictly stock, but looking here for comments and advice. Any thoughts, anyone?