K&N/CAI worth it?

[Chris2088]

I have;

1997 Camaro 3.8
5 speed

So, I've read a few articles on CAI for our cars. And many say that all it does is suck up hot air from under the hood. And are only worth a few horsepower. So my question is...would it be better to spend $40 bucks on a K&N and keep the stock air box. Or just spend a big $300 on a CAI? Or is it even worth bothering with at all?

One more thing, I replaced my stock converter last week with a Catco converter. And I was AMAZED at the difference in acceleration. (My converter was completely shot, the internal parts were broken and pretty much gone) Does that put more horsepower to the wheels? Other than that, it has all stock tubing and muffler. So what kind of muffler would flow well and sound good(plan on getting a dual outlet muffler)

[UDLOSE98]

Re: K&N/CAI worth it?

cats dont create hp, they free up existing hp by flowing better than stock.

as far as cai, there are only a few options for the 95-98 all of which involve taking in cold air up front.

[RadRacer]

Re: K&N/CAI worth it?

If you buy a cheapo kit from eBay, you'll most likely be sucking in hot air. The good kits (like the K&N) go into the fenderwell and are blocked from the engine heat. As for exhaust, I've got a Magnaflow with a gutted cat and LOOOVE it. It's silent when just cruising around town, but you get on it and it really wakes up. I personally think the FlowMasters are too loud, and some people claim to loose power with them (not saying they do, just stating that they claim). I'd go either Magnaflow or Edelbrock. Go check out the sound clips at the top of this section and see which one you like the best. You get pretty much the same gains from them all.

BTW- I've got the same car as you. Red '97 3.8 5-speed Camaro

[Chris2088]

Re: K&N/CAI worth it?

What all do you have done to yours RadRacer, and what kind of gains did you get?

[runtwrestlin]

Re: K&N/CAI worth it?

If you buy a cheapo kit from eBay, you'll most likely be sucking in hot air. The good kits (like the K&N) go into the fenderwell and are blocked from the engine heat.

So buy the good cheap ones;) I got mine for $40 +$20 shipping, so $60. It's the Full Cold air intake, goes all the way into the fender well (i just double checked before posting this. I put it in only two days ago).

And as for cleaning the filter, I'll have to take off that piece of plastic that's under my car everytime to get the filter out won't I? Or is there an easier way to get my filter out. (To install it I had to put it in from under the car b/c the cone wouldn't fit, but the tube does, through the metal into the fender well.)

[black95maro]

Re: K&N/CAI worth it?

yea if the filter doesnt fit then you will have to take that plastic off how does that full intake sound?

[airattack111]

Re: K&N/CAI worth it?

When I put my catco cat on it helped a lot as well, the stock one sucked, it threw a code but good ol' hptuners took care of that.

Go for the slp CAI if you have the 97

[Chris2088]

Re: K&N/CAI worth it?

Is the SLP intake worth the money though. Seems a little expensive. Also, will getting a tune help any with a 5 speed? If the car is stock except for the catco cat.

[runtwrestlin]

Re: K&N/CAI worth it?

how does that full intake sound?

A decent lil whoosh sound. It really surprised me. I def wasn't expecting any audible difference, but then when i cranked it up and heard that whooooooosh I was like "Oh, that's pretty cool." I haven't really had a chance to dog my car, the roads have been really wet, and i haven't been on any on ramps for the past few days (another words, almost no driving...it's killing me). But tomorrow i'm gonna take it out and see how much of a acceleration diff it makes, if any noticable.