Narrowing Down Intake Choices

[ws6_guy]

I know what your thinking "oh no not another which intake should I get post..." lol. But I have actually done my research and looked at some intake kits and narrowed my choices down. I was always into K&N but I dont always enjoy oiling the filter, and its time to try something different. I think the AEM Brute Force intake and Airaid intake is what I should get. I know that fully closed intakes ( Such as Outlaws intake ) are the best to get every single bit of horsepower, but I'm not after power just nice looking & better than stock, and ofcoarse affordable. I seen the Airaid intake parts you can buy & replace with, like their intake tube, and their intake box, but I would prefer to buy an entire intake kit.

 

Now I have a couple of questions. I've researched some threads and I seen people talking about intakes being louder than others. What does it mean when an intake is loud? does it mean increasing the exhaust system note? or does it mean the intake makes an annoying whistling sound or a loud gulping sound? I dont want an intake sounding like a supercharger or anything noisy. The only noise I want is what comes out of my exhaust tips,

 

Second, I seen that a Brute Force intake has a 4.00" tube, isn't that a little too big for a NA gas engine? I would figure 3" - 3.5" would be good. If the intake tube is as large as 4.00" wont that cause a loss of power? or is that actually a good setup?

 

I think that I will probably go with AEM because of the dry filter and easy maintainence, since it costs just the same as the Airaid kit does. The one thing really holding me back is the 4" tube question. In the distant future I will probably get a custom tune, and Longtube Headers. I'm not planning too many major performance mods though. For now I just want exhaust and intake. Any info on the two intakes you can provide I'd appreciate. I dont think I will be buying until next spring so theres plenty of decide time lol.

 

 

& also, heres the specs on my truck, '05 2500HD 6.0L/364 LQ4 Vortec, 3" stock pipes with dual Super 44s. Thanks for any input.

[cmoore74]

I had the AirAid MIT (replacement tube) and I took it off. It had a rather annoying drone when the motor was working to maintain highway speeds up long steep hills while towing. The noise is definitely from under the hood.

 

I installed the brute force and it is louder than stock, but no where near as loud as the airaid tube. Also the brute force does not have that annoying drone.

 

Neither one resulted in any improvement to mileage by itself. Only after installing the Corsa exhaust in conjunction with the brute force do I notice an improvement (about 1/2 - 1 MPG better with the bigger improvement when towing). I can't say it was the combination, but from everything I've read it seems you need to open up the intake and exhaust to realize any significant benefits.

[sierra20076.0]

has anybody thought of going with a vararam intake system? good/bad?

[black jack]

has anybody thought of going with a vararam intake system? good/bad?

i have the afe intake but i made my own intake tube saved $ and sounds great .

[Rocco715]

Unenclosed intakes are generally louder. I have K&N 77 Series on my other truck along with a throttle body spacer and i'm not sure if its just the spacer or the intake is making the noise as well but there is alot of intake noise (whistling, air sucking, vaccuum) it doesn't bother me but if you don't want any noise take a look at Volant CAI's they are enclosed look nice and I'd expect quieter than open ones. The only downside is if it matters to you the intake tube is plastic instead of polished.

[ws6_guy]

I guess I will be going with the AEM. Looks dont totally matter, but its nice to have them. Too mch chrome under the hood makes it too hot under there so it wont matter if the tube is polished or plastic. It will be awhile until I make my purchase so I will keep looking into intakes and make sure AEM is the right move for me.

[gmcjoe]

I have the K&N FIPK open system on my 2000 5.3l. Back then this was the only choice out there, then the closed Volant setup came out.

 

Now there is this nice package available from GM performance parts, I really like this one!

 

Here is a thread about it on FSC with part numbers:

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/genera...air-intake.html

 

A little pricey, but loooks like a very nice unit

[ws6_guy]

I have the K&N FIPK open system on my 2000 5.3l. Back then this was the only choice out there, then the closed Volant setup came out.

 

Now there is this nice package available from GM performance parts, I really like this one!

 

Here is a thread about it on FSC with part numbers:

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/genera...air-intake.html

 

A little pricey, but loooks like a very nice unit

 

not bad, that does look like a nice & high quality built intake kit, but $400 ouch, i'm not that rich, I got a 6.0L to feed so i'd rather stay in the $200 area lol

[jnpaddison]

I have the AirAid Mit - happy with it so far - i dont find the added noise too annoying

Mileage did not improve - but then again - stomping on the right pedal to hear the engine probably

has had some negative effect on MPG

 

added the Edge Evo EEC2200 and on Performance mode - milage has dropped from about ~15 to about ~ 13.5 ( DIC average ) - same right foot problem .

 

Outlaw would of been my other choice..

 

WS6 - happy hunting with your CAI .. :-))

[ws6_guy]

I have the AirAid Mit - happy with it so far - i dont find the added noise too annoying

Mileage did not improve - but then again - stomping on the right pedal to hear the engine probably

has had some negative effect on MPG

 

added the Edge Evo EEC2200 and on Performance mode - milage has dropped from about ~15 to about ~ 13.5 ( DIC average ) - same right foot problem .

 

Outlaw would of been my other choice..

 

WS6 - happy hunting with your CAI .. :-))

 

thanks man. yeah that darn right foot can be a problem sometimes huh?

[blankey]

I have the AirAid MIT and the only time I notice a difference in sound is about 2200 to 2500 rpm when I'm pulling a trailer. I don't think it's much of an annoyance, but everyone is different. I do think it made a slight change in the tone of my Corsa exhaust.