Cold Air Intake

[Paulie G]

I've got a friend that sold his 2001 8.1 and kept his K&N Cold air intake system. I can get it for $50 but first I have some questions about them.

 

Isn't the factory system a Cold Air Intake System?

 

If anything, it looks like the k&N system would draw more warm air from the engine compartment than the stock system. Looks to me like the stock system has a port that draws air through the front fender but there is also an opening right above that into the engine compartment.

 

Looks to me like the only gain would be less restrictive air flow and I can't imagine you would feel that difference in your neck. So why not just replace the factory tube with something smooth and doesn't have that section sticking downward that I think is for sound.

 

I've read that these kits make the truck louder. Is the louder at the tailpipe or air noise under the hood?

 

I've also read that the oil on the K&N can damage the Mass Airflow Sensor if over oiled. Does anyone make a replacement oi-less filter for the K&N system.

 

I'm considering the system because I can get it cheap. So what do you guys think........give it a try

 

Paulie

[Nice rig]

In my opinion it's a waste of money. I actually removed my CAI and put the stock system back in, the only difference that I could "feel" was a little loss on the low end. There's oodles of folks that will stand by the CAI kits and others that will tell you it's worthless, but in the end it's up to you.

[AD91158]

In my opinion its worth it. Look at the factory intake set up. It goes from what appears to be a 3 inch opening down to a 1.5 inch opening where the intake hose croses the fan shrowd and then back to a 3 inch opening. Honestly the factory air box set up is crap. I know everyone is porbably gonna chime in and say no its not, unfortunatly for those people the dyno figures dont lie. Adding the K&N intake reduces the restriction coming into the engine allowing the engine to breathe easier producing more hp. If you can tell the difference in the power curve n such a big motor yous hould b a profesional race car driver. I wouldnt consider any of their intakes true cold air intakes. The filter still picks up air inside the engine bay. If your looking for a true CAI find one with a scoop that picks up air at the front of the truck. For 50 bucks you can pick up between 10 -18 hp with 30 mins of install time, not to shabby considering it all.

[Paulie G]

I took a look at the kit last night and just to clear up a few things:

 

There is a seal around the sides so that when the hood closes it makes some what of a seal. I'm sure it still pulls plenty of air from under the hood but not as much as I thought.

 

The kit comes with oil that is in a squeeze bottle. I can see how they are over oiled and cause problems with the mass air flow sensor. The aerosol oil can that you can get seems like a much better way to apply the oil.

 

Also I think that I would get the sock type filter that goes over the main filter to keep objects out of the grooves. It looks like it could be hard to clean bugs out of. I think there are two different filters that go over the top, the thinner of the two would probably do the job.

 

Thanks guys for your input.

 

Paulie

[03blackburb]

For $50 you can't go wrong. What I found with mine as better, smoother throttle response. I have a FIPK in my 03 burb and a drop in in my 94 vette. No problems with either one.

[flyboy18]

My truck felt a big boost when I combined 3 items - K&N CAI, low temp thermostat, and reprogramming with the Halltech programmer. I pull a 11,000 lb. trailer with my 2500HD and felt a big improvement in power and minimized pinging.

[turbomist]

it is really a shame that the KN is not a CAI.

 

If I was paid $50, I would not use it.

[Neli]

For $50 you can't go wrong. What I found with mine as better, smoother throttle response. I have a FIPK in my 03 burb and a drop in in my 94 vette. No problems with either one.

 

 

Just Reading your posts here, I'm buying a '06 tomorrow night with the 8.1 in it, I can't wait. How hard was it to put the low temp therm in? What temp did you get? Where? This programmer, is that a guy you send it to and he programs according to what mods you have done? Any

[dewfpo]

Has anyone found a Cold Air snorkel for the 8.1 that fits the stock airbox or an aftermarkert CAI. I've seen them for the diesels but not for the 8.1's. They typically connect to the airbox and run down to the front bumper area and pick up some ram air going down the highway.

 

DEWFPO

[AD91158]

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the idea of a hood with ram air scoops. There are a few available for these trucks and are more of a CAI setup than most other manufacturers claim to be. I know for a fact only 2 or 3 manufacturers actually make true cold air setups with air scoops that sit behind the right side tow hook. I know one of these manufacturers are Volant. The best way to go is with a true ram air hood. This way you don’t have to worry about drowning your engine everytime you go through a puddle or mud hole. Also you can pick up a few extra ponies from the pressure of the incoming air being rammed down the intake of the motor as you accelerate (hence the name ram air).

[Paulie G]

A new hood would definitely make the cost of this mod out weigh the benefits.

 

I haven't heard of the snorkel for the stock system. Sounds interesting.

 

Maybe a guy could even plug the opening on the fender side that is open to the engine compartment with this snorkel on.

 

Interesting

[turbomist]

This is getting silly. There are no ram air benefits to a forced induction, 20 psi vehicle. Buy a hood if you want, but don't expect performance benefits.

[cmoore74]

This is getting silly. There are no ram air benefits to a forced induction, 20 psi vehicle. Buy a hood if you want, but don't expect performance benefits.

 

I agree. At 70 MPH your equivalent pressure rise for ram is only an additional 0.1 psi. You need to be going quite faster than any truck was ever designed for to take advantage of ram effect. It's a gimic on a truck IMO.

 

To put it in perspective at 120 MPH the pressure rise is still only a measly 0.2 psi.

 

Ram does not start to get significant until you start getting up around 200 MPH.

[clm7214]

My HD has the Airaid Filter on it, which draws air through the stock location, and my IAT(intake air temps) are the same as the outside air temp when im going down the road. This is why i dont get the Cold Air Intakes. Do they flow more air? Yes. But colder air? I dont think so.

[andyztoy]

K & N is the best around i would defently recomend their products