Stock air intake vs K&N CAI track times.

Gorske · May 13, 2017

I had a K&N CAI from my 2015 Silverado that I never sold and I wanted to see what actual gains you got from it on the 5.3 We did a data log of my truck 1/4 tank of e85 tuned 4wd launch, manual shifted to 6300 rpm with a 150lbs passenger and temp of 57 degrees DA was 650. Data log showed 390hp 405tq and 5.85 0-60. Installed the K&N and only change to the tune was for the MAF to read right with the CAI. Made a pass same exact spot temp 56 degrees DA was 625. Data log showed 400hp and 419tq 6.10 0-60. Truck felt great and it showed a power increase but was slower. we did 3 more passes and all the passes were the same 6.10 0-60. I took the truck to the track last night and it showed very similar results. With the stock intake temp of 58 degrees DA of 1025 truck ran a 14.12 @ 96.86(1/4) 9.05 @ 77.13(1/8) 2.03(60ft) on May 3rd. Last night I got lucky and my final pass temp got down to 58 degrees and DA of 985 and with similar air quality the truck with the K&N went 14.37 @ 95.40(1/4) 9.21 @ 75.58(1/8) 2.08(60ft). If you do the math in the 1/4 just like my 0-60 times truck went .25 slower stock intake vs CAI. Glad I could do this test to show how well the stock air intake flows vs an open box K&N CAI. As they advertise increased HP and TQ, better throttle response, and a little better MPG but over all slower. This is just my own personal test. My opinion I love how the truck feels, sounds with the intake, and how the intake looks in the engine bay but for 230-265 dollars you will run slower in the end with an open box CAI it looks like

Boardmember · May 13, 2017

Thanks for posting this. Very interesting!

BigBlueLB756 · May 13, 2017

Gee! Despite the nay-sayers, that thing actually works!

Thanks for your test and proof.

Gorske · May 13, 2017

Glad I could share my findings. Sucks with the power gains it is slower though. Biggest reason for that is the hot engine bay air can still get to the filter and raises the intake air temps. If your looking for some extra power and mpg though they do work!

Gorske · May 13, 2017

Going down the road while logging on the stock air intake the IATs were 64 degrees with the air temp of 58 degrees. The CAI showed IATs of 78 degrees with an air temp of 58 degrees. 14 degrees is pretty big. While sitting at a stop light the stock intake IATs went up to 90 degrees. The CAI stopped at a stop light went up to 120 degrees. That means even if you have your hood up till the last second at the track just prestaging your IATs are going to be very high when you launch the vehicle. I wish my buddy was there so we could log the IATs at the track but he was stuck at work.

BigBlueLB756 · May 13, 2017

Sometimes, wearing a cap helps.

BigBlueLB756 · May 13, 2017

And lining the box like the expensive cai does can make you feel better.

Sierra 5.3 · May 13, 2017

I guess I'm curious as too why this is? Wonder if the same results would happen on an un-tuned truck? Should a different tune happen for CAIs? Just don't get why more horsepower and torque would equal slower pass times, when it comes to the same vehicle. Did you spin any? I'm not saying your findings are BS or wrong, I am just wanting to better understand why this is occurring.

Gorske · May 13, 2017

I guess I'm curious as too why this is? Wonder if the same results would happen on an un-tuned truck? Should a different tune happen for CAIs? Just don't get why more horsepower and torque would equal slower pass times, when it comes to the same vehicle. Did you spin any? I'm not saying your findings are BS or wrong, I am just wanting to better understand why this is occurring.

When we put the CAI on the data logger it was showing the truck running pretty lean which means more air flow. My tuner changed the MAF setting which had not been changed and was how it had been from the factory. Also like K&N says in the instruction I did disconnect the battery and that shows the truck doesn't fully adjust for the extra air flow. He fixed MAF tune that is when we started to do the WOT runs to check for HP and TQ increases and if the truck was faster slower or the same. With the stock passes, and the CAI passes I launched the truck in 4wd and left it in 4wd and shifted it out at the same rpms. the passes were identical no tire spin. It was slower from the IATs.

Sometimes, wearing a cap helps.

Wish K&N made a kit like this for the 2014-17 GM Trucks

MRW412 · June 5, 2017

Do you think the aFe Momentum GT would have similar results to this? It's a semi sealed intake with an opening that sucks in air from the engine bay.

http://afepower.com/afe-power-51-74104-momentum-gt-pro-dry-s-cold-air-intake-system

Gorske · June 5, 2017

I was looking at that CAI and I think it would be ok as long as you keep that front part sealed off with the piece they provide to close it off.

njk4o5 · June 12, 2017

k&N HOT air intake

dasimmon · June 12, 2017

thanks for posting...pretty crazy

noJeepshere · June 15, 2017

I just installed the S&B intake on my 2014 5.3 and noticed it seemed to slow down a little, but I have no tune. Other than some noise, I can't really see any improvement over the stock intake. And the S&B seals up against the fender pretty well and is fully enclosed from the engine, so should be getting good air from outside the engine bay. I may swing by my mechanic soon and see what kind of temps the IAT is reading.