[WhiteLightening]

I was thinking about the best cold air intake for our cars, to increase performance and MPG if possible. Any thoughts on which brand?

[cellsafemode]

I dont know anyone who has tested back to back all or even a decent subset of the available intakes. So i suspect all you'll get is people's opinion that will be heavily weighted in favor of whichever one they plunked down hundreds for or got for free.

Besides looks, the only other thing you can really go by is whether or not a particular intake has issues throwing codes due to changing what the MAF expects and not including or getting a tune to correct that calibration.

I can only tell you that the GM one includes a calibration change (which you should hope to be in a non-CARB state to get). And I know that the aFe intake (which i have - purchased with my own money) doesn't throw codes if you dont forget to tighten everything up when installing.

I'd put them all pretty much on the same level in terms of performance. Assuming your engine is otherwise stock (not e85, fi, or otherwise requiring much more air than stock).

[hightorq]

Yeah right now you have GMPP K&N AFE and Airaid. They all claim about the same performance gains. The GM and K&N will give a little more intake sound since they do not have dedicated lids. Best bet to get some real gains are an intake, ported TB, and get the engine tuned to use the parts. The is not a magic beast intake for this car

[enzia35]

I would keep stock intake.

[cellsafemode]

Originally Posted by enzia35

I would keep stock intake.

I did keep mine. It's in my garage. Along with my stock muffler.

[Ohji-san]

Cellsafemode, which aFe model did you install? CARB approved? If not, are you planning to reinstall the stock intake when you get the car service at the dealer while under warranty?
I really want to install a CAI but hear all kinds of stories about installing a non-CARB approved in Cal Thanks.

[cellsafemode]

Originally Posted by Ohji-san

Cellsafemode, which aFe model did you install? CARB approved? If not, are you planning to reinstall the stock intake when you get the car service at the dealer while under warranty?
I really want to install a CAI but hear all kinds of stories about installing a non-CARB approved in Cal Thanks.

I have the aFe Momentum GT intake. Dry filter.

I do my own work whenever i can. I gave the car over 6 months before changing the intake. Plenty of time (for me) for any factory issues to rear their head for warranty work. I am fairly confident that if it wasn't apparent then, then it'll be fine going forward.

I have no plans on bringing the car to a dealer for anything short of a serious recall. Not the waste of time that is the fan connector recall..

If i ever do bring it in, i'm keeping it all in there (catch cans, intake, exhaust, tune). Whatever the reason it is in the dealership, it's probably not something covered by the warranty anyway since the car has been running perfectly for the year i've had it. (taking it to a dealer would be the absolute last option for me)

That being said, you're caring about two separate things. CARB approval only matters 5+ years down the road when you have to get smogged. For this if we still have visual testing then, you need to swap to a CARB approved or stock setup to pass emissions testing.

But CARB or not, if you do something to your car with a non-GM OEM product, you're risking the dealer trying to say you voided some aspect of your warranty.

Personally, i dont care about the warranties i've voided. I gave them some time for factory issues to show up, I dont feel like waiting however many years the warranty lasts, and I'm used to used cars without warranties. If that's something you're not comfortable with, dont mod the car at all.

[WhiteLightening]

Has anyone dynoed the GMPP CAI? Also why does it need a tune, from gm and the others don't require one? Does the tune give any extra hp or torque, along with the CAI? Does anyone have any videos of the GMPP CAI from the interior view?

[Ohji-san]

Cellsafemode, much thanks for the advice! I will probably not mess with my Camaro since my mechanical aptitude maxes out with installing a curb alert and a Vitesse throttle controller. The latter is about all the risk I can handle until my warranty ends. I am more than happy with my V6 RS NPP as my daily driver. Thanks again.

[Glen e]

Originally Posted by Ohji-san

Cellsafemode, much thanks for the advice! I will probably not mess with my Camaro since I my mechanical aptitude maxes out with installing a curb alert and a Vitesse throttle controller. The latter is about all the risk I can handle until my warranty ends. I don't mind the teasing I get from my friends who did their own work on their 396 Novas, 427 Chevelle SS back in the day. I am more than happy with my V6 RS NPP as my daily driver. Thanks again.

I also have the AFE, if you did a throttle and curb, the Afe is WELL WITHIN your talents, it's just wrenches and screwdrivers. Took me 45 min.

[cellsafemode]

the intake isn't hard at all to replace.

I think it's more of an ethical issue. if you're worried the dealer will try to pin something on your intake to avoid having to do warranty work you "know" isn't related to the intake then dont mod the car or dont roll over and let them dictate what they're legally obligated to do.

If your dealer is cool (check before hand) then do the mod. If you're not willing to fight and know your dealer isn't cool, then dont do the mod. Switching things around to circumvent warranty rules is a slippery slope.

I have less of an ethical issue with swapping for the visual emissions inspection because that's a rule born out of laziness. If the emissions are within oem spec (and it's not cheating just to pass the test) or better, then it shouldn't matter what i'm running.

[Ohji-san]

Glen e and Cellsafemode. Thanks for your comments and support. You two are always so helpful and know your s#!t. I think it's funny that at least two of the major companies selling non-CARB for our cars are both headquartered in Southern Cal where it is illegal to sell.

[cellsafemode]

Originally Posted by Ohji-san

Glen e and Cellsafemode. Thanks for your comments and support. You two are always so helpful and know your s#!t. I think it's funny that at least two of the major companies selling non-CARB for our cars are both headquartered in Southern Cal where it is illegal to sell.

Yes, the irony is not wasted on me regarding how many performance shops and manufacturers exist in california where essentially a ton of their products or what they install isn't legal.

Similarly, how many tint shops there are that will throw tint on your car regardless of how illegal it is.

Money talks and the law is enforced only when it suits the particular police officer. Just like speeding. So everyone is guilty of something all the time. Makes it easier for them.

[BSFATONOVICH]

I take my car in for service and just put the stock intake on for that. It takes 15 min tops. Its pretty easy. GMP also has a video that shows you how to install as well.