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  #1  
Old 02-27-2008 | 11:58 AM
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Default more on CAIs

Just visited my chevy dealership and happened to run into a visiting gm tech big wig. I thought I'd ask him about adding a CAI on my silverado. Here is his reply.

Adding any aftermarket CAI will give you minimal gas savings and hp. The check engine light will appear after oil from the filter starts to damage the MAF sensors. Matter of fact, CAIs eventually bring in even hotter air. Your stock setup is for maximum hp and fuel savings without harming anything.

What about that!!!
 
  #2  
Old 02-27-2008 | 12:54 PM
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Default RE: more on CAIs

1. Thats why you have to get a CAI without oil or wipe the access oil off of the element. It can and will foul out the MAF.
2. A CAI will pull in hot air which is why some of them have a heat sheild or larger air box, they aren't perfect, but its no better or worse than the air box. Yeah no heat sheild would be a bad idea.
3. Stock intake reduce sound, but unfortunately increase turbulence. Some vehicles will suffer more than others. Some might not have this problem at all. Its hard to say.
4. The hp gain is always minimal on performance mods unless the computer is adjusted accordingly. Those hp numbers they post on K&Ns website are vehicles that have been dialed in to make use of the extra airflow at WOT.
5. The vehicles are dialed in by the manufacturer for optimum performance, but it is ususally only optimum within certain parameters. Example: Most people around Pittsburgh that have Silverados complain about constant shifting because oif the hills. In the Fall I know first hand I gained 1 mpg by just adjusting the shift points alone. When I was in the South where it was flat, yeah the factory shift points were perfect. But bone stock trucks? Yes, they are at optimum performance with nothing more than a K&N air filter and maybe an exhaust (depends on how much back pressure is lost).
 
  #3  
Old 02-27-2008 | 01:19 PM
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Default RE: more on CAIs

CAI work at wide open throttle : yes
mpg gains: yes mine got me about .5mpg if i dont floor it everywhere i go.
everyone that i know uses K&N air filters and/or CAI and have had no problems with them

this is directly from the K&N website:
27. Will a K&N filter cause my vehicle’s mass air sensor to fail?

No, it is both impossible and ridiculous.

It is impossible because we know that the oil treatment on our cotton is very small (usually less than 2 ounces). Once the oil is properly and evenly absorbed through the cotton, no oil will come off, even under extreme engine conditions. It is ridiculous, because no dealership or service provider has ever been able to provide us with evidence to support this “myth,†and in fact, our investigations have revealed that even authorized dealerships are simply speculating and do not have the test equipment necessary to know whether the sensor has failed or why. It is even more ridiculous because some car manufacturers use and sell air filters treated with oil on a regular basis. There are also major brands of disposable air filters that are treated with oil. We all use oil for the same reason, it helps in the filtration efficiency of an air filter. For more information on this topic including videos, see our Mass Air Flow Sensor Statement page.
Out of the millions of air filters we sell, we only receive a handful of consumer complaints each month that a dealership or service provider has blamed a vehicle sensor repair on our product. We take each complaint very seriously and see it as an opportunity to stop a consumer from being taken advantage of. We investigate the situation thoroughly and take full responsibility for resolving the issue. For more information on how we educate and persuade the service provider to reconsider their position, see Mass Air Flow Sensor Information & Testing. We are so confident in our ability to resolve these situations and to help a consumer fight back that we offer our Consumer Protection Pledge.

As a result of our standing up for consumer rights and providing assistance to resolve a disagreement, we have had over 100 actual sensors sent to us by dealerships who claimed our product had caused them to fail. Microscopic, electronic and chemical testing revealed that none of the sensors were contaminated by K&N oil (K&N Detailed MAF Sensor Test Results). What is perhaps the single biggest clue to what is going on is that over 50% of these sensors were not broken in the first place for any reason. Click here for more information on how this may happen.
 
  #4  
Old 02-27-2008 | 01:21 PM
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Default RE: more on CAIs

The people that over oil the filters, then they can and will kill the MAF, when I worked at advance auto we sold quite a few because of this alone. So technically they can, but not if oiled correctly.
 
  #5  
Old 02-27-2008 | 01:40 PM
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Default RE: more on CAIs

Show the dealer big wig this:


http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/MAFTestresults.htm

 
  #6  
Old 02-27-2008 | 02:27 PM
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Default RE: more on CAIs

Its not confirmed nor proven wrong. I mean it could very well be either/or, but that doesn't convince me 100%. Now i think that its a possibility that it could contribute to a failing MAF, but not because of the oil alone. Besides, they say nothing about over oiling the filter which is how the problem gets started in the first place.
 
  #7  
Old 02-27-2008 | 02:29 PM
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Default RE: more on CAIs

i have to agree with the guys on this one.
the stock system in the trucks add crazy amounts of turbulence to the air that is flowing into your throttle body. just take a look at it.... ribbed tubing and a box shape??? come on! that is to maximize the factory settings.... maybe but, the cone shape of the K&N and the smooth tubing of the system actually reduces turbulence and provides a cleaner air flow.
the MERV Rating of the filters on the stock system is much much lower than the K&N and the K&N is optimized for better airflow while at the same time providing protection against contaminants that may enter the air.i have had my CAI for about a month now and i have seen great improvements in power and Fuel economy. on the highway as much as 5 MPG more!in my opinion and i have said this before, CAI are well worth it and a definate treat for your truck and you!
 
  #8  
Old 02-27-2008 | 03:13 PM
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Default RE: more on CAIs

If you dont want one dont get one but if you do you'll be happy. Just ask anyone that has one and likes it LOL!!!
 
  #9  
Old 02-27-2008 | 05:28 PM
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Default RE: more on CAIs

LOL!! I hope you know he is paid to say that......I have had mine on for a while and I notice a difference and my check engine light hasn't came on yet. That's why you don't listen to everything everyone tells you.
 
  #10  
Old 02-27-2008 | 06:17 PM
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Default RE: more on CAIs

IN THE 90'S,GUYS PAID FOR VORTEC CONES TO SWIRL THE AIR TO IMPROVE ECONOMY....NOW,CAI'S TRY TO SMOOTH OUT THE TURBULENCE....GO FIGURE.
 



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