Pre-filter for Volant CAI

[05TahoeZ71]

New guy here. Didn't join TF before I found this. Looked through the posts on both and couldn't find the answer. This can probably be easily answered by Volant1, but just in case anyone else is wondering. Looking at the Volant website found pre-filters listed, but couldn't figure out if one would fit mine or if it's necessary(very difficult navigation and no info listed). I've got the powercore filter with the ram air tube on my hoe. Living in the central valley of California the tractors are kickin up a lot of dust and it's getting into my air box. I know the filtration on the powercore is down to like .05 microns, but I would like to keep the dust and any water from the trail out. Is there a pre-filter for me and does it restrict airflow much?

Another question I could never find the answer to, anybody know what the purpose was to the three "baffles" on the stock Vortec intake? Figured GM engineers must've had something in mind. Thanks and love the forum.

 

[thejstar]

the baffles are mostly for noise reduction... apparently people like their vehicles whisper quiet.

 

[Volant1]

Hey whats up? How do you like the kit so far? The powercore filter filters down to .01 micron which is 99.99%, the prefilter filters to .05 and is not needed my advice is save that 55 bucks and put it towards some thing else, The baffles are for low end tq and noise they also do a great job of hindering airflow

 

[05TahoeZ71]

I love the kit. I live in Cali, so I got it super quick. The install took no time at all and the engine compartment looks a lot cleaner. I wish I could think of something to put in all the extra space left after removing the stock intake, but I don't think an extra tranny cooler would work on that side of the fans. I was surprised that the sound was deeper than what I've heard from other intakes. I like it. Unfortunately I only really hear it when I'm towing or stomp on it when passing (trying to save gas). It's a big help towing.

I like the powercore dry filter a lot, more airflow and no oiling. Had a K&N drop in before which actually did F up my MAF. Still is. I know what everyone says about K&N gauze oil filters not voiding your warranty, but without getting lawyers involved I had no luck with that one. I've had K&Ns in 5 different cars over the past 15 years and never had any trouble before with oiling, but all but one of those were or are carbureted. I still have the original stock MAF in my Hoe and any time I get on it, I pop a code for the MAF even though I clean it after each time. Probably going to replace it with a new stock one when I find the 350 bucks in my couch.

Ever hear of moisture getting up in the airbox from the ram air tube? There was a thread on another forum where a guy cut a three inch hole in his stock airbox to increase volume and put a shopvac filter over it to keep out water, but I'm guessing that would hinder air flow.

Do you have any tips for opening up the two intake holes in the engine bay sheet metal other than going at it with a sawzall? Figured the side intake in the airbox is gigantic, might as well let some air get to it.

Thanks.

 

[Volant1]

The best way to cut the inner fender is to remove the lid and filter, trace a line from the inside of the airbox, remove the box and cut the hole, the best tool ive found for the job is a small cut off wheel
You will not have a problem with water in the airbox we design our scoops to have a 90 bend and a few other curves to solve this problem we have never had a motor hydrolock because of our kit, ive seen alot of customers make ram scoops out of everything pvc, cardboard, dryer ducting shopvac hose you name it, I like the OEM look of our plastic you dont know whats stock and whats aftermarket
350 for a stock MAF wtf!!! Im sure I have one laying around ill hook you up with

 

[05TahoeZ71]

That's just what the GM service dept quoted me they would charge the warranty co when I brought it in for that and a busted 4x4 coder motor. Of course the warranty denied the MAF. If I just went and asked the service desk it might be cheaper. Course that's new, sure I can probably find one online.

Also any gain of swapping the stock intake back in for the Volant smooth tube using the Volant connector instead of the accordian tube? I would only look to do this for towing, specifically to up the torque.

I may try and cut out the fender this week if I can get to it. I know the air is coming into one of the holes from around the headlamp and from the fender well for the other. I just gotta see what opening it up will do. Thanks.

 

[Volant1]

The stock tube is junk, just leave the volant box and duct on for the best results

 

[05TahoeZ71]

Will do.