K&N vs CAI vs Rotofab intakes?

J.A.Black · 09-10-2022, 12:49 AM

I just upgraded from a '21 1LT 6M to a '22 2SS 1LE 6M and I'm looking to put a cold air intake on it. I'm super indecisive because I've been reading the forum, searching YouTube, and googling the best cai for the 6th gen SS and the 2 that always come up are rotofab and Cold Air inductions. My question is what's wrong with K&N's? I had a K&N (can't recall which model) on the 1LT and it was great. Plus K&N boasts the highest hp gains I've seen (can't verify, no idea how valid their claims are) with about 20-25 hp gained. Is there something I'm missing as to why K&N gets no love and why I should go with Rotofab or CAI?

wnta1ss · 09-10-2022, 05:57 AM

K&N claiming 25 hp gain from their CAI on an LT1 is total bullshit, and honestly, expecting to gain 25 hp on an LT1 just by installing a CAI is fantasy. Try searching the forum for actual customer results, and you'll find out. My recommendation is the Rotofab, first reason is that it does not screw up the MAF calibration in the stock tune. This means that it's effects won't change over time due to fuel trims adjusting for the richer or leaner conditions which are induced by a messed-up MAF calibration. The MAF calibration change is the reason that GM used to include a tune with 'their' CAI, which was made for them by Cold Air Inductions (CAI brand).

If you're tuning, you could fix the MAF cal issues with other CAIs, but I'd still suggest the Rotofab over the K&N or the CAI brand on an SS/LT1. Proven performer.

Wintermute · 09-10-2022, 06:44 AM

Unpopular opinion: They are all the same.

VR Baron · 09-10-2022, 11:47 AM

No real power gain. Rotofab tested thoroughly by Jannetty racing and got 6 hp. They are mostly for throttle response

*Joshinator99* · 09-10-2022, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnta1ss

K&N claiming 25 hp gain from their CAI on an LT1 is total bullshit, and honestly, expecting to gain 25 hp on an LT1 just by installing a CAI is fantasy. Try searching the forum for actual customer results, and you'll find out. My recommendation is the Rotofab, first reason is that it does not screw up the MAF calibration in the stock tune. This means that it's effects won't change over time due to fuel trims adjusting for the richer or leaner conditions which are induced by a messed-up MAF calibration. The MAF calibration change is the reason that GM used to include a tune with 'their' CAI, which was made for them by Cold Air Inductions (CAI brand).

If you're tuning, you could fix the MAF cal issues with other CAIs, but I'd still suggest the Rotofab over the K&N or the CAI brand on an SS/LT1. Proven performer.

J.A.Black · 09-10-2022, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR Baron

No real power gain. Rotofab tested thoroughly by Jannetty racing and got 6 hp. They are mostly for throttle response

I get that. But I guess I'm asking why rotofab or CAI over K&N?

SJFGTO · 09-10-2022, 04:44 PM

Rotofab generally has a better seal/fit than the K&N. No CAI is gonna give you 25 HP as a bolt on mod to a stock vehicle. Prolly not 5 HP for that matter.

J.A.Black · 09-12-2022, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR Baron

No real power gain. Rotofab tested thoroughly by Jannetty racing and got 6 hp. They are mostly for throttle response

https://youtu.be/7-bRgzzeZfQ

laynlo15 · 09-12-2022, 07:00 AM

You shouldn't care what it makes on the dyno, that is not real world testing, that's done at the track. You can blow air into then intake with a fan at the dyno, but it will never be like a pass down the track where your forcing air into the intake at 120 to 150 mph or what ever your car goes thru the traps at. Don't buy it because of what it does on the dyno but what it does on the street. Buy a Rotofab and you'll be happy on the street and the track no matter what the dyno numbers show.

WhiteMale · 09-12-2022, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR Baron

No real power gain. Rotofab tested thoroughly by Jannetty racing and got 6 hp. They are mostly for throttle response

and looks and sound

Crushin_LT1 · 09-12-2022, 08:28 AM

The CAI one looks best to me, super easy install. Not sure if I would install it again were I to go back, but it does make it look/sound cooler.

KingLT1 · 09-12-2022, 09:21 AM

I wouldn't buy K&N because the tube is metal and slightly smaller than stock. The other units are fine.

That being said laynlo is spot on. The only true way to test a cai is at the track or on the street with a dragy. CAI and Ram air mods won't show up properly on the dyno because air is not being forced into them. Stick your hand out the window on the dyno vs going 100+ mph at the track and tell me if you notice a difference.

VR Baron · 09-12-2022, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingLT1

I wouldn't buy K&N because the tube is metal and slightly smaller than stock. The other units are fine.

That being said laynlo is spot on. The only true way to test a cai is at the track or on the street with a dragy. CAI and Ram air mods won't show up properly on the dyno because air is not being forced into them. Stick your hand out the window on the dyno vs going 100+ mph at the track and tell me if you notice a difference.

👍

09-10-2022, 12:49 AM	#1
J.A.Black Drives: 22 Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: GA Posts: 58	K&N vs CAI vs Rotofab intakes? I just upgraded from a '21 1LT 6M to a '22 2SS 1LE 6M and I'm looking to put a cold air intake on it. I'm super indecisive because I've been reading the forum, searching YouTube, and googling the best cai for the 6th gen SS and the 2 that always come up are rotofab and Cold Air inductions. My question is what's wrong with K&N's? I had a K&N (can't recall which model) on the 1LT and it was great. Plus K&N boasts the highest hp gains I've seen (can't verify, no idea how valid their claims are) with about 20-25 hp gained. Is there something I'm missing as to why K&N gets no love and why I should go with Rotofab or CAI?

09-10-2022, 06:44 AM	#3
Wintermute Drives: 2020 LT1 Join Date: May 2020 Location: WA Posts: 75	Unpopular opinion: They are all the same. __________________ Too weird to live, too rare to die.

09-10-2022, 04:44 PM	#7
SJFGTO Oh Oh it's Friday Night! Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Nightfall Gray Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Walton Woods Posts: 1,073	Rotofab generally has a better seal/fit than the K&N. No CAI is gonna give you 25 HP as a bolt on mod to a stock vehicle. Prolly not 5 HP for that matter. __________________ 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE NFG; ARH 2” headers, catless mids, ARH full exhaust, Lingenfelter 18% lower pulley, ATI Harmonic Balancer, Roto-fab CAI, EE-catch can, TM ported TB, NX Lid, BMR strut tower brace. Aeroforce dual pod interceptor gauges. Tuned by Vengeance Racing!!! 644 HP @ 6250 rpm / 689 trq @ 3660 rpm Four that wanna own me Two that wanna stone me One says she's a friend of mine...

09-12-2022, 08:28 AM	#11
Crushin_LT1 Drives: 2021 LT1 6spd Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 784	The CAI one looks best to me, super easy install. Not sure if I would install it again were I to go back, but it does make it look/sound cooler. __________________ Current: 2021 LT1 Camaro, 6spd, Crush, Corsa NPP, GMPP CAI, Soler Performance Throttle controller Previous: 1997 V6 Camaro, 5spd, Black

09-12-2022, 09:21 AM	#12
KingLT1 Drives: 2016 1SS NFG A8 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: 46804 Posts: 7,561	I wouldn't buy K&N because the tube is metal and slightly smaller than stock. The other units are fine. That being said laynlo is spot on. The only true way to test a cai is at the track or on the street with a dragy. CAI and Ram air mods won't show up properly on the dyno because air is not being forced into them. Stick your hand out the window on the dyno vs going 100+ mph at the track and tell me if you notice a difference. __________________ 2016 NFG SS A8/Whipple 2.9/Fuel System/Flex Fuel

09-10-2022, 05:57 AM	#2
wnta1ss Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: NH Posts: 1,713	K&N claiming 25 hp gain from their CAI on an LT1 is total bullshit, and honestly, expecting to gain 25 hp on an LT1 just by installing a CAI is fantasy. Try searching the forum for actual customer results, and you'll find out. My recommendation is the Rotofab, first reason is that it does not screw up the MAF calibration in the stock tune. This means that it's effects won't change over time due to fuel trims adjusting for the richer or leaner conditions which are induced by a messed-up MAF calibration. The MAF calibration change is the reason that GM used to include a tune with 'their' CAI, which was made for them by Cold Air Inductions (CAI brand). If you're tuning, you could fix the MAF cal issues with other CAIs, but I'd still suggest the Rotofab over the K&N or the CAI brand on an SS/LT1. Proven performer.

09-10-2022, 11:47 AM	#4
VR Baron SoCal Camaro5 Race Team Drives: 2021 Shadow Grey Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SO CAL Posts: 14,367	No real power gain. Rotofab tested thoroughly by Jannetty racing and got 6 hp. They are mostly for throttle response

09-12-2022, 07:00 AM	#9
laynlo15 Drives: 2022 Lt1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: clark, mo Posts: 8,882	You shouldn't care what it makes on the dyno, that is not real world testing, that's done at the track. You can blow air into then intake with a fan at the dyno, but it will never be like a pass down the track where your forcing air into the intake at 120 to 150 mph or what ever your car goes thru the traps at. Don't buy it because of what it does on the dyno but what it does on the street. Buy a Rotofab and you'll be happy on the street and the track no matter what the dyno numbers show.

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