Cold Air Intake Filters Pros and Cons - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

chris jd · 08-14-2014, 10:54 PM

So, I think this is the mod that is going to be the first scratch at me doing something under the hood. I am thinking about getting either a Sceptre ($150) or K&M CAI ($300) on ebay. I am reading mixed opinions online about questionable HP/fuel gains. I am also hearing opinions on dangers to using it. First of all, does it void your warranty?

For everyone who has a CAI, besides aesthetics, did your CAI provide noticeable changes in power/mpg/sound?

Have you run into any problems due to your CAI? Or do you know of any problems which can be caused due to them?

ytown87 · 08-14-2014, 11:23 PM

Slightly better gas mileage..decent sound increase..better throttle response. Didnt know there were any negatives to a CAI

chris jd · 08-14-2014, 11:29 PM

That all sounds like great reasons to go pick one up this weekend, but there are random negative things I read online. Like do you need to get a new mass airflow sensor to stop things from working weird? Does it void warranty? I am just very conflicted lol. Many people are skeptical on any real power gains also.

songsj · 08-14-2014, 11:29 PM

Here we go again, there are some long threads on this subject. Most people that have them love them and swear by them. Most that don't think they may be a waste of money. I have not added one yet but my research has led me to believe that they will make your engine sound cooler, you may experience some horsepower gain but how much depends on many factors. The consensus on the forum here pretty much favors them and thinks the LFX engine responds well to them, so if you are going to base your decision on the responses here I think you will be buying one.

Burn Notice24 · 08-14-2014, 11:44 PM

I have one from CAI Inc. and it has been great. I'd highly recommend it.

Skemer · 08-15-2014, 12:37 AM

CAI inc is the way to go

NFRNOSS · 08-15-2014, 12:40 AM

There is a thread somewhere with a spreadsheet in it comparing all the CAI with hp gains and other info. Search is your friend

Anyway, I would recommend getting a good CAI, and not cheap out. As everyone will say, you paid a bunch of cash for the car, don't put cheap shit into it. Save an extra month or two and get a good quality intake that many people on here have used.

I personally went with a rotofab. My MAF sensor is the "good one", and I have never thrown any codes. There is an obvious change in sound and responsiveness, and I seem to get better gas mileage too. Feels like more power but I'm not sure if I can truly feel the 15hp change (or whatever it is).

Zig Zag · 08-15-2014, 10:19 AM

Congrats on the new car!

Head over to the V6 LFX page - http://www.camaro5.com/forums/forumd...ysprune=&f=148

You will find plenty of info on your motor there.
My first mod was a catch can, you may want to look into that first.
Second mod was the intake, I went with the Roto Fab.

stoopid · 08-15-2014, 10:22 AM

If you can stomach it, there was some discussion about the cons started at post 18 here:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364400

People's butts got hurt though.

karnov · 08-15-2014, 10:33 AM

Other than the fact they are a complete waste of money for possibly an 8 HP gain you might get, which you will never notice. Unless you doing other mods such as high-flow cats or Long tube headers, a CAI is a complete waste of money. It is a starter mod to get you in the game and nothing else, if that is all you plan on doing.

Just use a high-flow drop-in filter in the stock air intake and save the CAI setup for when and if you plan on doing high-flow CATs or Long tube headers.

Ringo64 · 08-15-2014, 11:08 AM

CAI's will give you a little more growl when you're on the throttle (no restrictive air box for the sound to stop in). Minimal HP/MPG gains.

Warranty, really depends on your dealer. Like any modification if the dealer can make a "claim" that the modification you did caused the issue you are experiencing and wanting fixed under warranty they can deny the claim and void your warranty.

ytown87 · 08-15-2014, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoopid

If you can stomach it, there was some discussion about the cons started at post 18 here:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364400

People's butts got hurt though.

Tried...

Couldnt stomach the stupidity all through that thread

ytown87 · 08-15-2014, 11:19 AM

OP
Just search through the forum and decide for yourself if its a waste of your money. Dont let people dictate what is worth or not worth YOUR money. You arent likely to find any thread about a CAI doing anything bad to your engine. If anything it'll be speculation from someone who has never had any issue themself. Your plan is to start modding your car...well consider a CAI the gateway mod to starting the addiction

rjinotti · 08-15-2014, 11:23 AM

I was on a budget so I could not spend the extra money on a top named air intake so I went with the Spectre 9981k for my V6 on advice from a friend who has one on his camaro. I have had no problems so far and its been a week, car sounds awesome, gained some on HP and filled the tank and waiting to see if there is a gas milage edge. The sound was worth the MOD and really glad I did it and did not have to spend an arm and a leg to get it....Good luck with you choice..

08-14-2014, 10:54 PM	#1
chris jd chris jd Drives: 2014 Camaro 1LT w/ RS - 6 Speed Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: New York Posts: 89 View My Garage	Cold Air Intake Filters Pros and Cons So, I think this is the mod that is going to be the first scratch at me doing something under the hood. I am thinking about getting either a Sceptre ($150) or K&M CAI ($300) on ebay. I am reading mixed opinions online about questionable HP/fuel gains. I am also hearing opinions on dangers to using it. First of all, does it void your warranty? For everyone who has a CAI, besides aesthetics, did your CAI provide noticeable changes in power/mpg/sound? Have you run into any problems due to your CAI? Or do you know of any problems which can be caused due to them? __________________ Keep calm and drive a Camaro. 2014 1LT M6 w/ RS

08-14-2014, 11:23 PM	#2
ytown87 Drives: C6 Corvette Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,264	Slightly better gas mileage..decent sound increase..better throttle response. Didnt know there were any negatives to a CAI __________________ 2008 C6 m6. Carbon creations front/rear carbon fiber wodebody fenders. Carbon fiber hood carbon fiber roof hoop carbon fiber zr1 extreme spoiler. NW 102mm tb. Ported intake manifold. Cometic .040 head gaskets. LG motorsports G6x3 cam. DSX flex fuel sensor. AEM methanol kit. Z06 brakes. Ebiach sway bars. ZR1 rep wheels and Nitto Invo tires. Monster stage 3 twin disc clutch. MGW short shifter. Corbeau race seats. Gforce race harnesses. SLP loudmouth 2 mufflers. Carbon fiber exhaust tips. RPM stage 4 transmission and Stage 3 rear diff. 3.73 gears. Vararam cai. Kooks 1 7/8 headers and x-pipe.

08-14-2014, 11:29 PM	#3
chris jd chris jd Drives: 2014 Camaro 1LT w/ RS - 6 Speed Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: New York Posts: 89 View My Garage	That all sounds like great reasons to go pick one up this weekend, but there are random negative things I read online. Like do you need to get a new mass airflow sensor to stop things from working weird? Does it void warranty? I am just very conflicted lol. Many people are skeptical on any real power gains also. __________________ Keep calm and drive a Camaro. 2014 1LT M6 w/ RS

08-15-2014, 12:37 AM	#6
Skemer SoCal HT5 Drives: 1lt Victory Red Camaro Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Tustin CA Posts: 268	CAI inc is the way to go __________________ Build thread http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402807

08-15-2014, 12:40 AM	#7
NFRNOSS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS LS3 IOM Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,523 View My Garage	There is a thread somewhere with a spreadsheet in it comparing all the CAI with hp gains and other info. Search is your friend Anyway, I would recommend getting a good CAI, and not cheap out. As everyone will say, you paid a bunch of cash for the car, don't put cheap shit into it. Save an extra month or two and get a good quality intake that many people on here have used. I personally went with a rotofab. My MAF sensor is the "good one", and I have never thrown any codes. There is an obvious change in sound and responsiveness, and I seem to get better gas mileage too. Feels like more power but I'm not sure if I can truly feel the 15hp change (or whatever it is). __________________ Twitter: @trevor_yyc \| Instagram: @trevor_yyc

08-14-2014, 11:29 PM	#4
songsj Drives: 2015 2SS/RS Summit White Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: MPLS Posts: 804	Here we go again, there are some long threads on this subject. Most people that have them love them and swear by them. Most that don't think they may be a waste of money. I have not added one yet but my research has led me to believe that they will make your engine sound cooler, you may experience some horsepower gain but how much depends on many factors. The consensus on the forum here pretty much favors them and thinks the LFX engine responds well to them, so if you are going to base your decision on the responses here I think you will be buying one.

08-14-2014, 11:44 PM	#5
Burn Notice24 Drives: 2012 Camaro Convertible Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 387	I have one from CAI Inc. and it has been great. I'd highly recommend it.

08-15-2014, 10:19 AM	#8
Zig Zag Drives: 2014 1LT Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: USA Posts: 226	Congrats on the new car! Head over to the V6 LFX page - http://www.camaro5.com/forums/forumd...ysprune=&f=148 You will find plenty of info on your motor there. My first mod was a catch can, you may want to look into that first. Second mod was the intake, I went with the Roto Fab.

08-15-2014, 10:22 AM	#9
stoopid Drives: 4 wheels Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: anyplace, USA Posts: 1,177	If you can stomach it, there was some discussion about the cons started at post 18 here: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364400 People's butts got hurt though.

08-15-2014, 10:33 AM	#10
karnov Drives: 2014 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Arizona Posts: 91	Other than the fact they are a complete waste of money for possibly an 8 HP gain you might get, which you will never notice. Unless you doing other mods such as high-flow cats or Long tube headers, a CAI is a complete waste of money. It is a starter mod to get you in the game and nothing else, if that is all you plan on doing. Just use a high-flow drop-in filter in the stock air intake and save the CAI setup for when and if you plan on doing high-flow CATs or Long tube headers.

08-15-2014, 11:08 AM	#11
Ringo64 Forever Pontiac Drives: 2012 Black 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 1,389	CAI's will give you a little more growl when you're on the throttle (no restrictive air box for the sound to stop in). Minimal HP/MPG gains. Warranty, really depends on your dealer. Like any modification if the dealer can make a "claim" that the modification you did caused the issue you are experiencing and wanting fixed under warranty they can deny the claim and void your warranty. __________________ Progression thread My Camaro's Grrgd

08-15-2014, 11:19 AM	#13
ytown87 Drives: C6 Corvette Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,264	OP Just search through the forum and decide for yourself if its a waste of your money. Dont let people dictate what is worth or not worth YOUR money. You arent likely to find any thread about a CAI doing anything bad to your engine. If anything it'll be speculation from someone who has never had any issue themself. Your plan is to start modding your car...well consider a CAI the gateway mod to starting the addiction __________________ 2008 C6 m6. Carbon creations front/rear carbon fiber wodebody fenders. Carbon fiber hood carbon fiber roof hoop carbon fiber zr1 extreme spoiler. NW 102mm tb. Ported intake manifold. Cometic .040 head gaskets. LG motorsports G6x3 cam. DSX flex fuel sensor. AEM methanol kit. Z06 brakes. Ebiach sway bars. ZR1 rep wheels and Nitto Invo tires. Monster stage 3 twin disc clutch. MGW short shifter. Corbeau race seats. Gforce race harnesses. SLP loudmouth 2 mufflers. Carbon fiber exhaust tips. RPM stage 4 transmission and Stage 3 rear diff. 3.73 gears. Vararam cai. Kooks 1 7/8 headers and x-pipe.

08-15-2014, 11:23 AM	#14
rjinotti Drives: 2011 SGM 1SS A6 & 2014 SW 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lighthouse Point, Fl Posts: 490 View My Garage	I was on a budget so I could not spend the extra money on a top named air intake so I went with the Spectre 9981k for my V6 on advice from a friend who has one on his camaro. I have had no problems so far and its been a week, car sounds awesome, gained some on HP and filled the tank and waiting to see if there is a gas milage edge. The sound was worth the MOD and really glad I did it and did not have to spend an arm and a leg to get it....Good luck with you choice..