[JLz06]

I bought my 2018 SS 1LE as a CPO and it came with the GM Performance Intake. I have read some people have had bad experiences with that intake and seeing power loss. Anyone know why exactly that is? Is it that the wrong tune was done by the dealer? I would have thought that the tune would be a pre-configured file they just flash the ecu with. Has anyone compared that tune to the stock tune? My theory is that maybe GM is pulling timing to counteract any increase of airflow so that there is no net power gain and therefore no potential warranty issues.

I own HP tuners so I could check it and compare to a stock car but I am concerned if interacting with it would be logged and void the warranty.

[vtirocz]

I would bet that the only thing the tune does is correct the MAF transfer function. I'd be interested in confirmation though.

[kropscamaro16]

i would install intake and tune it yourself lol

[Boost Creep]

Originally Posted by JLz06

I bought my 2018 SS 1LE as a CPO and it came with the GM Performance Intake. I have read some people have had bad experiences with that intake and seeing power loss. Anyone know why exactly that is? Is it that the wrong tune was done by the dealer? I would have thought that the tune would be a pre-configured file they just flash the ecu with. Has anyone compared that tune to the stock tune? My theory is that maybe GM is pulling timing to counteract any increase of airflow so that there is no net power gain and therefore no potential warranty issues.

I own HP tuners so I could check it and compare to a stock car but I am concerned if interacting with it would be logged and void the warranty.

The issue people seem to have is the dealer not flashing the tune at all. The intake is installed with the original factory tune and either the installer didn’t know or didn’t care/think the tune was needed.

Kind of makes me wonder if the intake is any good as you lose power if not tuned, and gain very little even if tuned, where a Rotofab seems to pick up more power right out of the box, even untuned.

[vtirocz]

I dug up my notes on this topic from Camaro Factory Fest (in 2016) where I spoke to the engineer responsible for validating/certifying the CAI intake and GMPP exhaust:

CAI: He mentioned the tune corrects the MAF linearization table and was critical. Going through cert process with agencies is why it's taking long for them to release it. Without tune, you could see some level of power gain initially, but once system is in a learned state you will not see much of a gain. With their latest tune, they are not seeing enough of a gain in power to advertise anything (maybe up to 3hp).

This speaks volumes to how good the stock airbox really is -- it doesn't appear that the optional piece or aftermarket CAI's are really buying much from a performance standpoint.

Keep in mind that the stock SS airbox is really sized for the ZL1 air flow demands.

[DC5]

My vehicle was equipped with the GM Performance cold air intake as a factory option, and I can confirm that it provides a meaningful improvement in throttle response. In fact, the improvement in throttle response alone makes this upgrade worthwhile, IMO.

[Matos1LE]

Originally Posted by DC5

My vehicle was equipped with the GM Performance cold air intake as a factory option, and I can confirm that it provides a meaningful improvement in throttle response. In fact, the improvement in throttle response alone makes this upgrade worthwhile, IMO.

If your car came with it, how do you know it improves throttle response? Have you driven one without it in order to compare?

[Tim M]

Likely it is the sound that people notice which for some is reason enough to have it.

[Whitespeed]

Originally Posted by JLz06

I bought my 2018 SS 1LE as a CPO and it came with the GM Performance Intake. I have read some people have had bad experiences with that intake and seeing power loss. Anyone know why exactly that is? Is it that the wrong tune was done by the dealer? I would have thought that the tune would be a pre-configured file they just flash the ecu with. Has anyone compared that tune to the stock tune? My theory is that maybe GM is pulling timing to counteract any increase of airflow so that there is no net power gain and therefore no potential warranty issues.

I own HP tuners so I could check it and compare to a stock car but I am concerned if interacting with it would be logged and void the warranty.

There were at least a couple of people who's cars were flashed with an incorrect code causing the engine to run very rich (less than 10:1) and they lost a lot of power (up to 80HP!) as a consequence. Here's one...

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560050

Originally Posted by vtirocz

I dug up my notes on this topic from Camaro Factory Fest (in 2016) where I spoke to the engineer responsible for validating/certifying the CAI intake and GMPP exhaust:

CAI: He mentioned the tune corrects the MAF linearization table and was critical. Going through cert process with agencies is why it's taking long for them to release it. Without tune, you could see some level of power gain initially, but once system is in a learned state you will not see much of a gain. With their latest tune, they are not seeing enough of a gain in power to advertise anything (maybe up to 3hp).

This speaks volumes to how good the stock airbox really is -- it doesn't appear that the optional piece or aftermarket CAI's are really buying much from a performance standpoint.

Keep in mind that the stock SS airbox is really sized for the ZL1 air flow demands.

This fellow picked up 16 HP with the GM Performance Intake and tune on a 2019...

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=556150


You can see that the AFR's have been leaned out significantly, so there's definitely something going on there.



Nigel

[LS3JM]

I can’t understand why anyone other than for sound or appearance would buy this.
To my knowledge know one has posted any gains.

[Whitespeed]

Originally Posted by LS3JM

I can’t understand why anyone other than for sound or appearance would buy this.
To my knowledge know one has posted any gains.

Lol! Look at my post right above yours...


Nigel

[GTSLOW]

Originally Posted by Whitespeed

There were at least a couple of people who's cars were flashed with an incorrect code causing the engine to run very rich (less than 10:1) and they lost a lot of power (up to 80HP!) as a consequence. Here's one...

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560050




This fellow picked up 16 HP with the GM Performance Intake and tune on a 2019...

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=556150


You can see that the AFR's have been leaned out significantly, so there's definitely something going on there.



Nigel

He also dyno'd in 6th gear. Not sure I trust those numbers.

[DC5]

Originally Posted by Matos1LE

If your car came with it, how do you know it improves throttle response? Have you driven one without it in order to compare?

I know it improves throttle response for two reasons: first, I previously owned a 2018 SS without the GM Performance intake, and second, I took delivery of my 2019 SS without the dealership having completed its pre-delivery inspection (PDI) of the vehicle. One of the items not completed during the PDI was the installation of the GM Performance intake. I installed the intake myself and had the dealership install the calibration software, and the improvement in throttle response is quite noticeable.

[cmfhsu]

DC5 - does the 2019 tune maintain the gorgeous cracks and pops that are in the 2019 SS? That's the one thing I want to make sure before I buy one.