Air Filters

[Transient]

Just looked up specs on the GM CAI and it only reduces air flow restriction by up to 17% for the 6.2 and 13% for the 5.3. I don't really see how that would help very much as most of the aftermarkets in around 50%.

Marketing terms. Every heard of a little thing called "puffing". It's legal.

 

[fotoguy21159]

Marketing terms. Every heard of a little thing called "puffing". It's legal.

Considering the size of the factory intake hole on top of the grill, I feel as if the 50% increase is fairly accurate if the CAI is an open element or has another opening such as the S & B. I can't believe that Chevrolet would actually put an opening that small as it's very restrictive. The opening of the factory intake on my 79 Z28 with only 175 hp was bigger than the Silverado's. Back in those days we would throw the factory air cleaner away, get a chrome air cleaner and it made a world of difference in performance and you could actually hear the 4 barrel kicking in.

 

[Transient]

Considering the size of the factory intake hole on top of the grill, I feel as if the 50% increase is fairly accurate if the CAI is an open element or has another opening such as the S & B. I can't believe that Chevrolet would actually put an opening that small as it's very restrictive. The opening of the factory intake on my 79 Z28 with only 175 hp was bigger than the Silverado's. Back in those days we would throw the factory air cleaner away, get a chrome air cleaner and it made a world of difference in performance and you could actually hear the 4 barrel kicking in.

Apples to oranges. Not even on topic. S&B, K&N, GMP, et al all have the same setup on the same engine and mount up to the same throttle body. Let's talk about that instead of reminiscing about a powertrain from 45 years ago. You didn't even dispute what I said. You attempted to side step it.

 

[Stormin08]

Considering the size of the factory intake hole on top of the grill, I feel as if the 50% increase is fairly accurate if the CAI is an open element or has another opening such as the S & B. I can't believe that Chevrolet would actually put an opening that small as it's very restrictive. The opening of the factory intake on my 79 Z28 with only 175 hp was bigger than the Silverado's. Back in those days we would throw the factory air cleaner away, get a chrome air cleaner and it made a world of difference in performance and you could actually hear the 4 barrel kicking in.

sound was not power, many of dynos have proven the OPEN AIR cleaner of the past looses power due to heat....we all just thought we could HEAR the power gain

 

[Stormin08]

the factory box take into many considerations, AND IS TUNED into the truck.
i run an MIT for airaid and have zero noticeable change...and i knew that going in (i wanted a cleaner look under hood)...
several others, as well as myself (modding the factory boxes for years), have noticed...a dead spot upon take off in the throttle.

i would like to see the BlackBear test form 2016, redone with these newer engines...

 

[fotoguy21159]

sound was not power, many of dynos have proven the OPEN AIR cleaner of the past looses power due to heat....we all just thought we could HEAR the power gain

It was definitely seat of the pants power gain in this case, I even took the Chevrolet dealership owner for a ride and he couldn't believe the difference. Numerous runs at the dragstrip also backed it up as it shaved about 1 second off the 1/4 mile time. This dealer was very cool, he would go with us to the drag races and said if it blows, I'll fix it under warranty! It would run neck and neck with an L82 Corvette as well which I believe was 220 hp at the time. Open air may hurt it in some cases but definitely not in mine, depends on how restrictive it is I'm sure.

 

[nucmachinist]

I also have the GM Performance CAI. $600, but they retune the fuel trims. The downside is GM wants you to replace the filter every 20,000 miles and is charging $120 just for the filter at the dealership. I read K&N made the kit with GM, which makes sense when you look at the filter itself. Typical K&N construction. I reached out to K&N directly to ask if they have a replacement filter for the GM Performance kit. They said No. When I asked about using their filter cleaner kit they gave the very obviously canned answer of the "No" usual language that made it very obvious to me they were under contract to not compete with GM Performance and dealerships when it came to that specific kit. At that point I decided to buy a replacement filter at the cheapest price I could find (Rockauto.com for ~$45 via searching by GM part number). I then pulled the filter at 22,500 miles (same mileage point as an oil change) and used K&N's cleaning kit to clean and very light oil the filter. From 22,500 to 45,000 miles I ran the 2nd filter. At 45,000 I swapped back to the first filter that I had cleaned and kept. Been running it for 11,000 miles and haven't had a single issue so far. That includes a cross country trip in July from Southern California to Florida. The 2nd filter is currently sitting in its original box, already cleaned and ready for install once I reach 62,500 miles. I'm going to continue doing this until I have a valid reason to stop doing it. From my perspective I spent a little bit more money up front, but I don't need to buy replacement filters anymore. If you do the math using dealership pricing for the air filter I've already saved $200 because of my $600 investment. That brings the current price of the GMP CAI down to $400. At 62,500 miles that'll come down even more to $280. At 95,000 miles it'll be $160. 117,500 miles it'll be $40. At 140,000 miles I'll finally reach the point of the GMP CAI being paid off and actually saving me money. I'm hoping this truck lasts 20 years, which should put me at 250,000 to 300,000 miles.

Yes, I think linearly.

Hey Brother I also have the factory performance intake on my 2021 Trail Boss 6.2 was wondering if you have the GM part# for a replacement filter? I have been having trouble finding it online to order it from Chevrolet.
Thanks

 

[Buschman]

I use Ac Delco Gold Engine Air Filter Element Part No. 84428120 @
Summit Racing. I also have the GM Cat Back Exhaust. 6.2L / 2022 LTD Trailboss

 

[HopnDude]

Get the K&N 55 Series kit (k&n filter and 3" intake tube). It's a fraction of the cost of aftermarket....and you can use the extra $$$ left over for the Stillen ram air kit.

 

[Creekbum]

What are you guys using for your air filters? I’d like to go k & N but don’t want to shell out 75.00. Has anyone had good experience with these knock off AC delcos on Amazon?

I run a Airaid high flow dry air filter and that’s it.

 

[BigBlackie_'25TB]

I really have no input. I removed all the factory air cleaner and piping within the first 100 miles. Went with the S&B and never will look back. Clean it myself and respray it and all good. I like the large surface area it offers.

Yup! I went with S&B as well!