[Zababadoo]

Ok so here’s my question, and I know I’m gonna get both sides here lol.
So is it worth it to get the GM CAI with the “tune” from gm
Or
Just go with a rotofab?
For whatever reason I couldn’t find anything solid on this particular point so I figured I’d throw it out there. Also my stock 2020 2SS came from the factory with the sound tube delete so that’s already gone and plugged

[enzia35]

Go with whatever you feel best with. I'll get a RF.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Zababadoo

Ok so here’s my question, and I know I’m gonna get both sides here lol.
So is it worth it to get the GM CAI with the “tune” from gm
Or
Just go with a rotofab?
For whatever reason I couldn’t find anything solid on this particular point so I figured I’d throw it out there. Also my stock 2020 2SS came from the factory with the sound tube delete so that’s already gone and plugged

Instead of asking us, you need to ask yourself what your goal is, and answer with brutal honesty

I've had both and, subjectively speaking of course, while the GM/CAI intake looks good, the Roto-Fab looks more savage and matches the personality of the car much better.

As to power, you probably won't feel anything without a real tune. Note that the "tune" GM supplies with their performance intake is just a small MAF calibration update. When added on its own, the Roto-Fab won't help you break dyno records either, but it does give you more room to grow.

However, a real tune means effectively kissing the powertrain warranty goodbye, so there's that as well.

[KingLT1]

The Rotofab is proven at the track. You can't properly display gains from CAI's on a dyno anyway because the air isn't being forced into the Intake like it would be in real world. Stick your hand out the window on a dyno and feel the air resistance...nothing. Now stick your hand out the window when going 50+ mph and you will feel significant amount of resistance. The Intake is seeing the same effect of air pressure as your hand is.

That being said a Rotofab dry on a stock car is worth about 1 tenth reduction in ET and 1 mph gain at the track. As you do more mods it will show more gains.

[OB0001]

The Rotofab is proven at the track. You can't properly display gains from CAI's on a dyno anyway because the air isn't being forced into the Intake like it would be in real world. Stick your hand out the window on a dyno and feel the air resistance...nothing. Now stick your hand out the window when going 50+ mph and you will feel significant amount of resistance. The Intake is seeing the same effect of air pressure as your hand is.

That being said a Rotofab dry on a stock car is worth about 1 tenth reduction in ET and 1 mph gain at the track. As you do more mods it will show more gains.
__________________

[Jb54]

Don't get either one, your bank account will thank you.
Waste of money.

[6spdhyperblue]

If you care about gains, the rotofab is a more proven setup.

I run the gm cai for looks. I’ll admit it.

I run the velossatech ram air too tho.

[Zababadoo]

The goal is to make a reasonable amount of power for now without blowing the warranty. The dealership I have is fair with their warranties I can do supercharger and upgrade the fuel system but I can’t do flex fuel, tuning, etc so until I get to the point where I don’t care I’m just trying to stick with basic bolt in’s for now. I’d be lying if I said it also wasn’t for looks either the stock box just looks like crap to me lol. I appreciate the input and if the gm “tune” isn’t really worth it I’ll probably end up going rotofab

[VinnAY]

I would have to surmise that the GM tune would be pretty anemic compared to an aftermarket intake and tune. Though the tune is where it's at, the intake in/off itself is a total waste of money. The things are worth about a $100 at best.

[xqwisit23]

Originally Posted by Zababadoo

The goal is to make a reasonable amount of power for now without blowing the warranty. The dealership I have is fair with their warranties I can do supercharger and upgrade the fuel system but I can’t do flex fuel, tuning, etc so until I get to the point where I don’t care I’m just trying to stick with basic bolt in’s for now. I’d be lying if I said it also wasn’t for looks either the stock box just looks like crap to me lol. I appreciate the input and if the gm “tune” isn’t really worth it I’ll probably end up going rotofab

you're dealer is letting you put on aftermarket SC and upgrade the fuel system and still kee your warranty? WOW!

[PeteSS2018]

I have to agree with Jb54 ... save your money ... without other more substantial changes the CAI will not achieve a noticeable gain. The tune alone might help though. The GM stock intake is already very very good for stock power levels.

[bng349]

Both look way better than stock but RF to me is better looking. Performance wise most folks said not a whole lot of gain, 5hp the most.

Which is why I went with the drop in K&N around $60, saved around $400 that I used for Mamo ported TB.

[VinnAY]

Reason I get this attitude toward CAI, and no one thinks it's "cold" air, but my Mustang GT displayed IAT in the dash menu and it was something that read the same as the stock air box and at best flowed a little bit better. $350 got you sound and looks and nothing else. At best I had seen and it had to be dyno proven because you can't really "feel" ~30hp but it took a CAI, tune, and cat back get 30 horses, that's barely perceptible past butt dyno/placebo effect. that's a bunch of money with little real return/gains. Not to mention voiding your power train warranty.

[RobbyBeefcake87]

I have the GM CAI and am happy with it. However looking to eventually get tuned by Pray I know the RF is preferred and probably has a higher ceiling that the GM unit with more supporting mods.

What I'm wondering is if I find a good deal on an RF and pull the trigger, can I go ahead and put it on my car which has had the GM MAF calibration. In theory it should be fine since the MAF will be seeing extra air with the RF as well but not everything works out as well as it does in theory and wondering if anyone has had any experience with said swap.

I've also seen cars put down great times with the GM/CAI CAI so at the end of the day it might not even be worth the hassle but still I think it's an interesting scenario.