Need final opinions, get the GM CAI or not?

samsumon · 09-22-2016, 10:01 PM

So I'm hearing mixed emotions.... Here is my dilemma,

I have a GM certificate. I can either get the CAI, or I can not get it, and sell that portion on top of whatever is left over. Just because the certificate is in play, doesn't mean I want to "spend" the money on a CAI, if it's truly not going to be beneficial at all, rather make some extra cash..

I'd like everyones thoughts.

keysersoze · 09-22-2016, 10:46 PM

What else would you spend the cert on? if you want extra stuff don't get the CAI. Only get the CAI with the expectation that is a purely visual and sound changing mod.

MiamiBlueCamaro · 09-23-2016, 06:33 AM

Buy it.

SSDan · 09-23-2016, 08:18 AM

Unless there is something else you like better- I'd say use the certificate on the CAI. Whether it gives more performance or not - it looks a lot better than the stock air box and will give your under hood appearance a nice boost. Lord knows our LT1 engine bays need all the help they can get in the looks department.

ctrlz · 09-23-2016, 10:12 AM

I vote no. This is probably an appearance item at best, and one you only see with the hood open.

More man-hours and bench testing probably went into the stock intake anyway. If the numbers justified the CAI, why would they not advertise them? And if 5-10 HP were really just "there for the taking," why would GM not do that for the stock intake?

The other thing to consider is filter efficiency and engine wear. You need used oil analysis on various filters to see what filter "upgrades" might be doing to your engine. Some "performance" filters will pass larger particulates that accelerate engine wear.

Fraxum · 09-23-2016, 11:46 AM

It might look cool, but so far NO intake replacement has proven to give much of a HP boost for the V8. The Chevy one is built by Cold Air Inductions, which is a good aftermarket company.

Since it looks cool and you are getting it sort of for free why not? And while you are at it plug up the sound tube hole and get rid of that awful moaning sound you get stock. Better intake sound is a plus!

samsumon · 09-23-2016, 01:17 PM

It's free but i could also sell the unused portion of the certificate and make some money for a car payment. While not needed, never hurts to have one month covered for free. Which i think is the route I might take.

Roto-fab 1 · 09-23-2016, 02:08 PM

JDP Motorsports is a very reputable tuner, who tested the Roto-fab CAI vs. Stock. That test showed an honest 12 HP gain! If you're looking for a CAI that makes power, the Roto-fab system is definitely worth looking in to.

Roto-fab CAI vs. Stock, testing done by JDP Motorsports

Heartbeat S/C Camaro SS, Roto-fab CAI vs. Stock. Testing done by Davenport Motorsports

Roto-fab installed, dry filter, red logo, sound tube delete option.

PM me if you have any CAI related questions. I would be glad to help any time!
Michael

bbrown450 · 09-23-2016, 04:47 PM

My man....if you want an opinion on wether or not it is a wise investment isolate your question to those that have had them on this an other cars.
I had the Haltech Killer Bee on my C7 and also the Mishi on my G6.(until it threw codes)
Currently I am in between what my next move is on the CAI.
What I will tell you that you will experience is perceivably better throttle response, a tad better gas mileage and a whole lot of low end guttural wail when you stomp it. There is always the "Banter" between those that dwell in the theoretical. Every manufacturer of a CAI that I have installed has copious data to show that there is a significant HP increase, and there is always the nay Sayers that dispute it under the same amount of skepticism. If noise makes you smile ...Amd I assume it does most will give you a residual everytime you step on it. All the best

bbrown450 · 09-23-2016, 04:54 PM

My man....if you want an opinion on wether or not it is a wise investment isolate your question to those that have had them on this an other cars.
I had the Haltech Killer Bee on my C7 and also the Mishi on my G6.(until it threw codes)
Currently I am in between what my next move is on the CAI.
What I will tell you that you will experience is perceivably better throttle response, a tad better gas mileage and a whole lot of low end guttural wail when you stomp it. There is always the "Banter" between those that dwell in the theoretical. Every manufacturer of a CAI that I have installed has copious data to show that there is a significant HP increase, and there is always the nay Sayers that dispute it under the same amount of skepticism. If noise makes you smile ...And I assume it does most will give you a residual everytime you step on it.
To wit...with what we have under the hood ...what difference does it make what it's contribution to the total HP number is unless you race...to me ...it has always been worth the investment to hear what noise the beast makes when you kick it.
At the end of the day .. I have always yanked it and sold it when I sold the car.

All the best

cellsafemode · 09-23-2016, 05:19 PM

Gotta remember that the ECU needs time to compensate for new parts. You can't just swap a part on and test it right away on the dyno. You gotta drive it around for a couple days or so and with a number of cold starts.

Too many times already we've heard people say certain initial behaviors from throttle response or power is gone back to stock behavior after a few days.

09-22-2016, 10:01 PM	#1
samsumon Drives: 4 wheels Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Earth Posts: 1,351	Need final opinions, get the GM CAI or not? So I'm hearing mixed emotions.... Here is my dilemma, I have a GM certificate. I can either get the CAI, or I can not get it, and sell that portion on top of whatever is left over. Just because the certificate is in play, doesn't mean I want to "spend" the money on a CAI, if it's truly not going to be beneficial at all, rather make some extra cash.. I'd like everyones thoughts.

09-23-2016, 08:18 AM	#4
SSDan Drives: 2016 1SS 6MT NPP Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lake Murray, SC Posts: 2,245 View My Garage	Unless there is something else you like better- I'd say use the certificate on the CAI. Whether it gives more performance or not - it looks a lot better than the stock air box and will give your under hood appearance a nice boost. Lord knows our LT1 engine bays need all the help they can get in the looks department. __________________ 2016 Camaro 1SS Hyper Blue 6MT NPP 2010 Camaro 2SS Cam/Headers/CAI/3.91 gears 476 rwhp/440 rwtq (sold)

09-23-2016, 11:46 AM	#6
Fraxum Drives: a M6 LT1 ordered From Becky!!! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 7,520	It might look cool, but so far NO intake replacement has proven to give much of a HP boost for the V8. The Chevy one is built by Cold Air Inductions, which is a good aftermarket company. Since it looks cool and you are getting it sort of for free why not? And while you are at it plug up the sound tube hole and get rid of that awful moaning sound you get stock. Better intake sound is a plus! __________________ "Democracy Dies in Darkness" My LT1 Keeper ..... ..... My Car Blog CarPlayList, a free App to build USB and Android Music drives.

09-23-2016, 04:54 PM	#10
bbrown450 Drives: 2016 Mosaic Black 2SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Plant City Posts: 408	CAI My man....if you want an opinion on wether or not it is a wise investment isolate your question to those that have had them on this an other cars. I had the Haltech Killer Bee on my C7 and also the Mishi on my G6.(until it threw codes) Currently I am in between what my next move is on the CAI. What I will tell you that you will experience is perceivably better throttle response, a tad better gas mileage and a whole lot of low end guttural wail when you stomp it. There is always the "Banter" between those that dwell in the theoretical. Every manufacturer of a CAI that I have installed has copious data to show that there is a significant HP increase, and there is always the nay Sayers that dispute it under the same amount of skepticism. If noise makes you smile ...And I assume it does most will give you a residual everytime you step on it. To wit...with what we have under the hood ...what difference does it make what it's contribution to the total HP number is unless you race...to me ...it has always been worth the investment to hear what noise the beast makes when you kick it. At the end of the day .. I have always yanked it and sold it when I sold the car. All the best

09-22-2016, 10:46 PM	#2
keysersoze Drives: 16 Camaro Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 177	What else would you spend the cert on? if you want extra stuff don't get the CAI. Only get the CAI with the expectation that is a purely visual and sound changing mod.

09-23-2016, 06:33 AM	#3
MiamiBlueCamaro Drives: Gen 6 Camaro RS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Miami FL Posts: 1,725	Buy it.

09-23-2016, 10:12 AM	#5
ctrlz Drives: 2017 2SS, 50th pkg, M6, MRC, NPP Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 3,177	I vote no. This is probably an appearance item at best, and one you only see with the hood open. More man-hours and bench testing probably went into the stock intake anyway. If the numbers justified the CAI, why would they not advertise them? And if 5-10 HP were really just "there for the taking," why would GM not do that for the stock intake? The other thing to consider is filter efficiency and engine wear. You need used oil analysis on various filters to see what filter "upgrades" might be doing to your engine. Some "performance" filters will pass larger particulates that accelerate engine wear.

09-23-2016, 01:17 PM	#7
samsumon Drives: 4 wheels Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Earth Posts: 1,351	It's free but i could also sell the unused portion of the certificate and make some money for a car payment. While not needed, never hurts to have one month covered for free. Which i think is the route I might take.

09-23-2016, 02:08 PM	#8
Roto-fab 1 Drives: 16 Camaro SS w/ Roto-fab CAI Join Date: May 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,682	JDP Motorsports is a very reputable tuner, who tested the Roto-fab CAI vs. Stock. That test showed an honest 12 HP gain! If you're looking for a CAI that makes power, the Roto-fab system is definitely worth looking in to. Roto-fab CAI vs. Stock, testing done by JDP Motorsports Heartbeat S/C Camaro SS, Roto-fab CAI vs. Stock. Testing done by Davenport Motorsports Roto-fab installed, dry filter, red logo, sound tube delete option. PM me if you have any CAI related questions. I would be glad to help any time! Michael

09-23-2016, 04:47 PM	#9
bbrown450 Drives: 2016 Mosaic Black 2SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Plant City Posts: 408	My man....if you want an opinion on wether or not it is a wise investment isolate your question to those that have had them on this an other cars. I had the Haltech Killer Bee on my C7 and also the Mishi on my G6.(until it threw codes) Currently I am in between what my next move is on the CAI. What I will tell you that you will experience is perceivably better throttle response, a tad better gas mileage and a whole lot of low end guttural wail when you stomp it. There is always the "Banter" between those that dwell in the theoretical. Every manufacturer of a CAI that I have installed has copious data to show that there is a significant HP increase, and there is always the nay Sayers that dispute it under the same amount of skepticism. If noise makes you smile ...Amd I assume it does most will give you a residual everytime you step on it. All the best

09-23-2016, 05:19 PM	#11
cellsafemode Drives: 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: California Posts: 3,491	Gotta remember that the ECU needs time to compensate for new parts. You can't just swap a part on and test it right away on the dyno. You gotta drive it around for a couple days or so and with a number of cold starts. Too many times already we've heard people say certain initial behaviors from throttle response or power is gone back to stock behavior after a few days.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password