Has anyone heard that a CAI can cause worse gas mileage and possibly warp intake valves in below freezing weather, cause cat damage, etc. I was thinking of picking up and K&N setup, but now I am having second thoughts with another cold midwest winter right around the corner... would appreciate your thoughts.
Cold Air Intake question
- Thread starter jarthead
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You can get worse mpg if you have a heavy foot, big wheels, dual exhaust or mods that dont mesh well together. just remember its save gas OR go fast! As for the motor damage the only way this is possible is if the unit was damaged, the filter is damaged, you run the truck with a check light, hydro lock etc, With a big name brand kit like K&N I dont see this being a issue maybe a cheapo ebay kit or something hand made from home depot. When the tempature drops super low a CAI is not going to lower your AIT's anymore than your factory system would
after about 30F but were in Cali so anything below that is what we have heard from our dealers
felixgun
Full Access Member
I got a CAI on my 08 Tahoe LTZ and noticed a slight drop in my MPG... it sounded cool and supposedly helped when I got a BB Tune but all in all, the MPG's went down... maybe it's because I had a heavy foot.
domin8
Just Plinking
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I'm noticing a slight drop in mpg too. I went from 14.9 to 14.6 average. I have the GM Performance CAI. I also had a CAI on my 06 Cobalt SS Supercharged for many years. I drove that car everywhere, and in all sorts of weather, even in temps as cold as -20*F. Never had a problem with it.
OP, if you're so concerned about damage a CAI may, or may not, cause, don't get one. Just be aware that if GM was concerned they wouldn't offer a CAI and back it by a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty. My only advice to you is to get get one that has a dryflow filter. Oiled filters, such as K&N and Injen tend to gunk up the MAF.
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OP, if you're so concerned about damage a CAI may, or may not, cause, don't get one. Just be aware that if GM was concerned they wouldn't offer a CAI and back it by a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty. My only advice to you is to get get one that has a dryflow filter. Oiled filters, such as K&N and Injen tend to gunk up the MAF.
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Thanks for the advice guys. I may pull back on this one and just go for the resonator delete with SLP tip and call it a day! Just got my Yuk and want to get her looking good. I drive a lot on a daily basis with work and kids and want to try to eek out the best mileage I can.
More air = more fuel. Only a very conservative tune (which would negate the advantage of the intake) would increase MPG. I did the SLP res. delete and love it, not sure if I will even bother with a CAI or RAI due to the fact that I am more concerned with efficiency than power in my DD. I may, however, get a Black Bear tune to get a little performance AND efficiency back from the factory.
