Cold Air Intake For Nbs

Rubidude · June 16, 2007

Hi all... I want to put a AEM Brute Force air intake on my '07 nbs. Have a few questions though. I keep reading about how good this intake "sounds". I'm curious as to what "sound" they are referring to. Thanks.

caddycruiser · June 16, 2007

The stock intake pieces are designed to get as much flow as possible while also muffling the sometimes loud sound of air being sucked in--hence, the use of extra baffle boxes and such.

With a new cold air intake, you'll generally now HEAR an air sucking sound at idle and especially under throttle--which can especially have an extra roar when hard on the peddle, depending on the car and the intake.

Generally nothing huge, though, just noticeable and worth mentioning--put a K&N system on my '95 Caddy, and really the only thing I notice is the air suck at idle and then a bit more growl if I stomp on it.

hotwheels57 · June 16, 2007

Manufacturers spend millions designing an intake system (and exhaust system for that matter) that is quiet because the majority of buyers want just that.

Performance enthusiasts come along and want something that makes and/or sounds like it's making more power. The after market is all to willing to oblige.

To often, horsepower/torque improvements are confused with more sound going in and/or going out.

June 24, 2007

To often, horsepower/torque improvements are confused with more sound going in and/or going out.

I don't know of anyone who equals sound with hp/tq. That being said, back in my days of being a rebel rouser on the streets, if I heard a vehicle with glass packs pull along side me, I was weary because I didn't know if it was just and exhaust upgrade or something more. On the flip side, when someone heard my lopey cam, they knew they were the prey!

hotwheels57 · June 24, 2007

You've never talked to a driver/owner of an import car and have him tell you that he gained xxhp/yytq by adding a fart can exhaust? I didn't say their thought process was correct...

Anybody that's added an aftermarket exhaust system (that's usually louder than oem), will probably believe the manufacturers (unsubstantiated) claims of horsepower increases.

BTW: Did you receive the PM that I sent you regarding the Avalanche wheels you were looking for?

spartus · June 24, 2007

yeah yeah yeah. There are a lot of naysayers on here who say that GM spent this, did this on the intakes, so they must be the best.. I don't believe that one bit.

I recently removed the PAPER filter on my NBS 2007 CC with 5.3L and installed a K&N onto the MAF. The truck has a noticeable power increase while CRUISING, and I also gained about 1 mpg due to the filter. With the cruise on when the vehicle now goes between v8/v4 I feel a surge in power. Never used to feel that with the stock filter. The truck also goes into V4 mode quite a bit more.. My figures show the proof. Went back to the OEM intake, and went back down to 16 mpg highway.... sucky sucky..

Think of putting your hand on a vacuum cleaner hose. It still sucks fine, but the motor has to work harder to pull the air through. Same principal with a paper filter. I've proven too many times that K&N filters make more power than the OEM filters do, but there will always be those in denial. Go rent yourself a dyno and change items in and out and you will see what I mean.

June 24, 2007

You've never talked to a driver/owner of an import car and have him tell you that he gained xxhp/yytq by adding a fart can exhaust? I didn't say their thought process was correct...
Anybody that's added an aftermarket exhaust system (that's usually louder than oem), will probably believe the manufacturers (unsubstantiated) claims of horsepower increases.

BTW: Did you receive the PM that I sent you regarding the Avalanche wheels you were looking for?

Well, you didn't specify import owners! I agree 100% in that aspect!

Yeah, I did get your PM, but I haven't had the chance to email the guy yet. Those are exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks!

2007VMAX · June 24, 2007

I had a Brute Force intake on my 07 Classic 5.3 and it is a very aggressive sounding intake. It was louder than any of the K&N cold air intakes I have had on my other trucks. I am not sure what made it louder, but it was and I liked it and am going to put one on my VMAX!

MikeRS1981 · June 25, 2007

Is there a difference between the 07 4.8l Classic and an 07 4.8l NBS ? AEM has one for the classic, but not the NBS. And are the years all that different ? Will an intake from the 5.3 fit the 4.8, I was under the impression they were alike

TravelinSierra · June 25, 2007

Your wasting your money IMO. Just get a K&N drop-in air filter and be done with it.

BigRedTruck · June 25, 2007

yeah yeah yeah. There are a lot of naysayers on here who say that GM spent this, did this on the intakes, so they must be the best.. I don't believe that one bit.

I recently removed the PAPER filter on my NBS 2007 CC with 5.3L and installed a K&N onto the MAF. The truck has a noticeable power increase while CRUISING, and I also gained about 1 mpg due to the filter. With the cruise on when the vehicle now goes between v8/v4 I feel a surge in power. Never used to feel that with the stock filter. The truck also goes into V4 mode quite a bit more.. My figures show the proof. Went back to the OEM intake, and went back down to 16 mpg highway.... sucky sucky..

Think of putting your hand on a vacuum cleaner hose. It still sucks fine, but the motor has to work harder to pull the air through. Same principal with a paper filter. I've proven too many times that K&N filters make more power than the OEM filters do, but there will always be those in denial. Go rent yourself a dyno and change items in and out and you will see what I mean.

Are you running the GM High-capacity air cleaner (PDL) or the standard air cleaner for these test?

Thanks

Erik F · July 8, 2007

The filter will have some effect, but the biggest changes are in the piping...GM's paper filter will flow enough air to the motor...but how the air gets there after is where the intake can make a small improvement.

jwalker · July 8, 2007

I took the cold air intake 1 step further & wrapped the intake tube from filter to engine with heat resistant tape from Hypertech. Now, insted of the intake heating up to underhood temps, usually 200 degrees or so, it's as cool as the outside air being pulled in.

redvett · July 8, 2007

I wouldn't put a K & N or any other non OEM style filter element on my lawn mower let alone on a $30000+ vehicle.I have service trucks with over 200000 mi and use the OLM & AC filters and there all running strong and not using excessive oil.

July 8, 2007

I wouldn't put a K & N or any other non OEM style filter element on my lawn mower let alone on a $30000+ vehicle.I have service trucks with over 200000 mi and use the OLM & AC filters and there all running strong and not using excessive oil.

I'm with you on the K&N. When I raised my K&N up to the sky after oiling it, I saw too much sunlight coming through it. Just imagine the amount of dirt getting through. I ended up selling it on the 'bay and using an oem Delco filter. I am, however, curious about the AEM filters. Looks to me that they are a happy medium between K&N and stock filters.