Cai - Is It Worth It?

[zxcv]

Hey guys,

 

I was just looking at a cold air intake for my truck --

 

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?s...number=17800809

 

Just wanted to know who here has bought one and if they'd recommend me picking one up.

 

Thanks!

[alaska511]

I have it I like it, makes a cool sound...

[2004GMC1500CC]

Hey guys,

 

I was just looking at a cold air intake for my truck --

 

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?s...number=17800809

 

Just wanted to know who here has bought one and if they'd recommend me picking one up.

 

Thanks!

Depends on why you want it but generally no, they are not worth the money spent.

[zxcv]

TOO LATE!

 

I ORDERED IT!

 

 

INSTALLED NEXT TUESDAY WHEN THEY GET ME A REPLACEMENT KEY!

 

CAPS LOCK IS ON!

[VMax2007]

I surely hope you are not paying to have it installed!!! It's about a 15 minute job and is as easy as changing your oil. Seriously!!!

 

Nice choice BTW!!!

[zxcv]

Yeah, the dealership is installing it - but I know the folks there and they won't take long to install it. If they install it, then it's covered under warranty.

 

Will the CAI make my exhaust sound a little louder? Or will the noise be comming moreso from the engine?

[VMax2007]

Yeah, the dealership is installing it - but I know the folks there and they won't take long to install it. If they install it, then it's covered under warranty.

 

Will the CAI make my exhaust sound a little louder? Or will the noise be comming moreso from the engine?

 

How could a CAI make your exhaust louder? NO, but you will hear a similar sound under hard acceleration, except it'll be the air going in, not out. Sounds MUCH better than loud exhaust IMO.

 

What is there to warranty on a CAI??? There are no moving parts and it uses the same MAF sensor and housing. I would say my self-installed GMPP CAI is warrantied the same as yours will be. I would ask and if they want to charge you more than $20 to install it, tell them you will do it yourself, it is so easy it's silly.

[dannynoonan]

Did you notice any better performance? I see claims of up 20 hp on the 5.3L. Do you think that is optimistic? Would you be able to feel a 20hp increase? How is the sound? My brother has a K&N cai on his 4cyl tacoma and it is brutal when he accelerates to get on the freeway. Kind of reminds me of the scene in Dumb and Dumber when he says "you want to hear the most annoying sound in the world?".......

[xGMCx]

I have it I like it, makes a cool sound...

 

Agreed.

 

I have the K&N and it took my mpg's around town from 16.5 to 17. I was really surprised.

[Silverado4x4]

Did you notice any better performance? I see claims of up 20 hp on the 5.3L. Do you think that is optimistic? Would you be able to feel a 20hp increase? How is the sound? My brother has a K&N cai on his 4cyl tacoma and it is brutal when he accelerates to get on the freeway. Kind of reminds me of the scene in Dumb and Dumber when he says "you want to hear the most annoying sound in the world?".......

There is no way it will give 20 more HP, the stock system on the truck now is a CAI and the one you buy is just more pretty and thats where your money is going. It may sound like you have more power under full throttle but you really dont.

[VMax2007]

A CAI will give you a little more power in the high RPM range when you also have an exhaust/headers and the proper tune. But on a stock truck it won't be noticeable at all and don't expect any better mileage from it either. The stock system is a CAI, but it has a restrictive intake tube with several silencer bladders. But again, this restriction would only affect high RPM performance when the engine is breathing hard. Without the exhaust and the tune, it makes little to no difference at all.

 

But it looks and sounds cool.

[Canuck2500hd]

Considering how much you end up paying for a filter and some plastic, a custom tune is better way to gain ponies. It does sound good when your foots in it but just like a TB spacer, don't expect much more then noise.