2017 K&N Cold Air Intake (Blackhawk Kit)

[BEIS]

Guys,

Decided to ignore the naysayers on here, and installed a K&N Cold Air Intake (Blackhawk Kit) on my 2017 Tahoe this past weekend (K&N Part # 71-3082). It took about an hour to install, and I'll be honest, I went pretty slow with the tear down, because I didn't want to mess anything up on a brand new truck. Anyways, the install was pretty easy, and here are my results for about an hour of driving so far:

- Sounds meaner when accelerating (Not an obnoxious sound like some people have mentioned)
- Increased MPG (I will post back actuals after a week or so of driving - I commute an hour each way to work highway/city/rural)
- Increased acceleration
- Looks badass

Overall, I'm satisfied with the purchase. I'd love to install a supercharger on my truck one day, but $8k is not justified, and it confuses me as to why they are so expensive...

**Installation Learnings**

If you install this kit, be aware that there are some unknowns not covered clearly on the instruction sheet or in the video.

In the kit, you get two intake hoses: one is 4" (Part C) the other is 3.5" (Part F). If you have the 5.3L engine, you use the 3.5" hose, if you have the 6.2L engine, you use the 4".

Also, the kit does not include hose clamps for the new Crank Case Vent Tubes (Part A). I found that after installation, they were pretty easy to take off. 4 x hose clamps wouldn't be a bad idea to add on.

 

[chicagofan00]

I've had a K&N CAI on my 2015 Tahoe for about 1.5 years now and have no complaints. It initially added the right amount of sound while accelerating the butt dyno felt as though there was a tad bit better response during acceleration.

The only downside to it was the fact that I loved the growl it helped produce so my MPGs went down initially and then it also led me to go out and buy the Corsa exhaust as I wanted even more growl.

 

[Doubeleive]

Guys,

Decided to ignore the naysayers on here, and installed a K&N Cold Air Intake (Blackhawk Kit) on my 2017 Tahoe this past weekend (K&N Part # 71-3082). It took about an hour to install, and I'll be honest, I went pretty slow with the tear down, because I didn't want to mess anything up on a brand new truck. Anyways, the install was pretty easy, and here are my results for about an hour of driving so far:

- Sounds meaner when accelerating (Not an obnoxious sound like some people have mentioned)
- Increased MPG (I will post back actuals after a week or so of driving - I commute an hour each way to work highway/city)
- Increased acceleration
- Looks badass

Overall, I'm satisfied with the purchase. I'd love to install a supercharger on my truck one day, but $8k is not justified, and it confuses me as to why they are so expensive...

**Installation Learnings**

If you install this kit, be aware that there are some unknowns not covered clearly on the instruction sheet or in the video.

In the kit, you get two intake hoses: one is 4" (Part C) the other is 3.5" (Part F). If you have the 5.3L engine, you use the 3.5" hose, if you have the 6.2L engine, you use the 4".

Also, the kit does not include hose clamps for the new Crank Case Vent Tubes (Part A). I found that after installation, they were pretty easy to take off. 4 x hose clamps wouldn't be a bad idea to add on.

View attachment 194144

I have the Blackhawk on my nnbs, love it, I also swapped my throttle body to a LS7, I don't know how much difference it makes but I like it

 

[cardude2000]

What were naysayers saying? Here’s the definitive breakdown of all CAI’s btw. http://blackbearperformance.com/IntakeTestResults_2016.asp


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BEIS]

What were naysayers saying? Here’s the definitive breakdown of all CAI’s btw. http://blackbearperformance.com/IntakeTestResults_2016.asp


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you for the link, it’s very informative. I saw a couple mentions in other threads that said CAIs were a waste of money, some didn’t like the sound, some didn’t see any difference, etc. I just wanted to encourage others if they were considering this as a mod to their truck.

 

[BEIS]

So far, after ~10 hours of driving, I'm averaging 18-19.5 MPG with this install and my max MPG is 24. Before, I was averaging about 15 MPG and my max MPG was 21. Would definitely recommend this mod.

 

[brknhal0]

I also installed the K&N on my 2015 Tahoe. I do like the growl but my wife calls my Tahoe "Chewbacca".

 

[Msalinas408]

Guys,

Decided to ignore the naysayers on here, and installed a K&N Cold Air Intake (Blackhawk Kit) on my 2017 Tahoe this past weekend (K&N Part # 71-3082). It took about an hour to install, and I'll be honest, I went pretty slow with the tear down, because I didn't want to mess anything up on a brand new truck. Anyways, the install was pretty easy, and here are my results for about an hour of driving so far:

- Sounds meaner when accelerating (Not an obnoxious sound like some people have mentioned)
- Increased MPG (I will post back actuals after a week or so of driving - I commute an hour each way to work highway/city/rural)
- Increased acceleration
- Looks badass

Overall, I'm satisfied with the purchase. I'd love to install a supercharger on my truck one day, but $8k is not justified, and it confuses me as to why they are so expensive...

**Installation Learnings**

If you install this kit, be aware that there are some unknowns not covered clearly on the instruction sheet or in the video.

In the kit, you get two intake hoses: one is 4" (Part C) the other is 3.5" (Part F). If you have the 5.3L engine, you use the 3.5" hose, if you have the 6.2L engine, you use the 4".

Also, the kit does not include hose clamps for the new Crank Case Vent Tubes (Part A). I found that after installation, they were pretty easy to take off. 4 x hose clamps wouldn't be a bad idea to add on.

View attachment 194144

Awesome man! Good choice on the intake. I made a short youtube video about the installation process for this CAI awhile back. There were definitely some details that K&N left out. Now time for the Tune

 

[Shadowchaser]

Guys,

Decided to ignore the naysayers on here, and installed a K&N Cold Air Intake (Blackhawk Kit) on my 2017 Tahoe this past weekend (K&N Part # 71-3082). It took about an hour to install, and I'll be honest, I went pretty slow with the tear down, because I didn't want to mess anything up on a brand new truck. Anyways, the install was pretty easy, and here are my results for about an hour of driving so far:

- Sounds meaner when accelerating (Not an obnoxious sound like some people have mentioned)
- Increased MPG (I will post back actuals after a week or so of driving - I commute an hour each way to work highway/city/rural)
- Increased acceleration
- Looks badass

Overall, I'm satisfied with the purchase. I'd love to install a supercharger on my truck one day, but $8k is not justified, and it confuses me as to why they are so expensive...

**Installation Learnings**

If you install this kit, be aware that there are some unknowns not covered clearly on the instruction sheet or in the video.

In the kit, you get two intake hoses: one is 4" (Part C) the other is 3.5" (Part F). If you have the 5.3L engine, you use the 3.5" hose, if you have the 6.2L engine, you use the 4".

Also, the kit does not include hose clamps for the new Crank Case Vent Tubes (Part A). I found that after installation, they were pretty easy to take off. 4 x hose clamps wouldn't be a bad idea to add on.

View attachment 194144

Very Good choice on the intake.

 

[dbbd1]

Just for grins (and because I had some laying around), I also wrapped my intake tube with header wrap. Just to further reduce any heat transfer from the engine bay.