Quote:
Originally Posted by DriftR
I'm not a fan of the CAI's that seal to the hood, but do like the idea of seeing the filter. Since this one is fairly new, I'm not sue if anyone has one or knows if if it needs a tune of would just benefit from one?
https://www.americanmuscle.com/kn-ca...e-50-3092.html |
This is a very nice intake (although the Roto-Fab look is pretty hard to beat). The charge pipe looks a bit skinny, even less diameter than stock. Maybe it's just the pictures and the angles...
Let's be honest though, we all know a CAI in itself does jack **** to performance, we all buy these because they look so hot (or, rather, so cool, haha). It brings a bit of extra whoosh, too, but nothing to write home about. Then again, I should be the last to criticize anyone for the hope of better performance, me having optioned in the GM performance intake at $550, then getting rid of it for half the cost, because I wanted the Roto-Fab
Without a tune and some other steps to channel in and to take advantage of more air (say, cutting the bottom of the stock airbox, opening up the very restrictive snow guard and/or installing a Velossa ram air snorkel), there is almost nothing to be gained from a CAI. Maybe 3 to 5 hp at best, if that, which is nothing on a 455 hp LT1.
Even with a tune, air is just one part of the power equation, if there is nothing forcing the extra air in or at least making it easier for the vacuum to suck in more (intake manifold), there isn't much more to be had. The threshold for my extra power perception is at 10-15%, anything below that feels just a nice little anomaly ("car's in a good mood today"), and that would mean 40-50 hp on an LT1, absolutely impossible from just a CAI even with a tune.