Short ram intake or fender well intake?

[GMfan1111]

Hi guys it's been awhile since I posted here but I have a question regarding which intake is better for a 2001 Chevy Malibu with the LQ8 V6. I'm looking at either a short ram intake or a cold air intake to give it a little more muscle. One of my questions is how difficult is it to install a cold air intake in a Malibu and likewise for the short ram intake. My other question is how much of a performance increase i can expect to gain vs equipping it with a drop in K&N filter. and lastly which setup will give me maximum performance (I'm familiar with RSM's supercharger system but the 4,000 dollar asking price is alittle beyond my budget

I'm not looking to win any races but hopefully if it can be done then the Bu could do a better job keeping up with the test cars that i photograph out in the wild for websites like autoblog and leftlanenews

[bobgagt1.0]

Go with the CAI. the short ram is a warm air intake. the colder the air the denser it is. colder/denser = more power.

[robertisaar]

Go with the CAI. the short ram is a warm air intake. the colder the air the denser it is. colder/denser = more power.

X2, thats about all there is to explain. obviously the "short ram" will be easier to install, but it will probably make even less power than stock.

lets see this CAI setup you're thinking about, or are you going down the DIY path?

[Monzsta]

I used the stock filter box, but used the Pep Boys dryer tube cold air intake tube and a NASCAR window vent to make my own ram air cold air intake. The gains are noticeable in my data logging with the DHP tuner. Intake air temps are a few degrees above ambient, (WOT) and the MAF and MAP even show a small degree of ram air effect through MAF flow and MAP pressure. On the W body, this required major cutting of the front left headlight/radiator support bracing (I cut out the headlight bucket, clearanced for the tube, and welded the bucket back in ) On the Malibu you might have an easier time.

[GMfan1111]

thanx for the replies and suggestions so far and sorry for the late response (i was on vacation in northern Michigan) and had no internet access. Anyway I'm looking at a CAI setup and it'll be a DIY installation and once i get the funds (which is the only obstacle in this project right now) I'll be buying the intake from MP racing

[robertisaar]

http://www.mpracing.org/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=16

this? doesn't look too bad...

[bobgagt1.0]

http://www.mpracing.org/store/index....d&productId=16

this? doesn't look too bad...

looks great! but the price take some time to look around after all it's just some sections of mandrel bent pipe with a filter on the end and there won't be much difference in performance between brands since the only real difference is the price. as long as you've got a K+N or airhog on the end you're good to go.

contrary to popular belief there are some pretty good ones on ebay that come with a K+N filter for a lot less than some places.

[Nick-G]

looks great! but the price take some time to look around after all it's just some sections of mandrel bent pipe with a filter on the end and there won't be much difference in performance between brands if the only real difference is the price. as long as you've got a K+N or airhog on the end you're good to go.

contrary to popular belief there are some pretty good ones on ebay that come with a K+N for alot less than some places.

It costs money to go fast Mpracing has quality products.

[no_doz]

dont put your filter too low like i did in my old vtec accord, dunk the wrong cai & air filter in a puddle & watch your engine not start.

also go to www.moates.net and on the left hand side click "shop by vehicle" and they have programmers for the 95+ gm's, so then you just have to get a turbo/centri sc & mount it up-half the price of what rsm wants

[asylummotorsports]

Well this is going to start some noise then.

My car is at least 2 tenths quicker and 2 MPH faster in the 1/4 mile with the short 7" WAI than the CAI.

And that is over a test of almost 40 runs with the CAI in three different locations.

The problem is trying to find POSITIVE AIR, and the underneath of the car or the wheel well are NOT the places to go looking for it!

Add to the fact every 45* bend reduces air flow by up to 33%, and you are actually having to suck the air up a 15-25" tube and the benefits become negatives.

Think about exhaust. Straight is better. And air flow is just that.

There is no argument that cooler air is beneficial, however in trying to find it you may be doing more harm than good.

At least those are my findings, and I spent a good deal of time and money playing with these things (all silicone connectors and 3" mandrel tubing) on a car that basically only sees highway (to and from the track) and track time.

FWIW

[robertisaar]

Well this is going to start some noise then.

My car is at least 2 tenths quicker and 2 MPH faster in the 1/4 mile with the short 7" WAI than the CAI.

And that is over a test of almost 40 runs with the CAI in three different locations.

The problem is trying to find POSITIVE AIR, and the underneath of the car or the wheel well are NOT the places to go looking for it!

Add to the fact every 45* bend reduces air flow by up to 33%, and you are actually having to suck the air up a 15-25" tube and the benefits become negatives.

Think about exhaust. Straight is better. And air flow is just that.

There is no argument that cooler air is beneficial, however in trying to find it you may be doing more harm than good.

At least those are my findings, and I spent a good deal of time and money playing with these things (all silicone connectors and 3" mandrel tubing) on a car that basically only sees highway (to and from the track) and track time.

FWIW

while every bit of that has a valid point, properly designed, a CAI/FWI will perform better than a WAI.

[bobgagt1.0]

It costs money to go fast Mpracing has quality products.

This is true, MPracing has lots of great parts for our 60*v6's and I don't mean to disrespect one of this forums sponsors (I am planning a purchase from there myself) but a CAI is just a pipe with a filter on the end and modding is expensive enough. If someone can get a comparable CAI for less I think they should do it and take the money saved and put it towards another mod that MPRacing or another one of this forums sponsors has. Then the buyer gets more from his money and sponsors still get new sales.

[bszopi]

Umm... MPRacing isn't a sponsor. We really don't have any sponsors, as WOT-Tech used to be just the 60V6 store, but has since branched off to become its own entity. So I wouldn't really consider Ben a "sponsor" per se.

The price that you are paying MP Racing is not only the parts, but the guarantee that its going to fit. Sure, you can buy all the pieces for cheaper, but then you have to go with trial and error to get each piece the right length, cut the piping and smooth out the edges, be carefully and not scratch the chrome plating on the pipes, etc... In the end, it may be slightly cheaper, but it may not look as nice.

[GMfan1111]

Umm... MPRacing isn't a sponsor. We really don't have any sponsors, as WOT-Tech used to be just the 60V6 store, but has since branched off to become its own entity. So I wouldn't really consider Ben a "sponsor" per se.

The price that you are paying MP Racing is not only the parts, but the guarantee that its going to fit. Sure, you can buy all the pieces for cheaper, but then you have to go with trial and error to get each piece the right length, cut the piping and smooth out the edges, be carefully and not scratch the chrome plating on the pipes, etc... In the end, it may be slightly cheaper, but it may not look as nice.

that's what I'm going for (granted the price may seem steep to some folks) but a guaranteed fit and some horsepower gain is worth it in my book. I might look at a more efficient exhaust a few years down the road (or earlier if I can find a job in this economy) However I've actually focused most of my mods on the interior with the goal of making it more luxurious (such as new LED bulbs in the foot wells and dual heat and massage seat cushions for both front seats) I'm not finished with it yet but I will post pics when it is

[asylummotorsports]

while every bit of that has a valid point, properly designed, a CAI/FWI will perform better than a WAI.

You are NOT getting away with that one just that easy!

I spent damn near $300 on parts and crap, and spent a day at the track just trying to track down this illusive motherlode of free horsepower.

On my 60's and 70's muscle cars it was easy (Yes I'm that old!) but there are these gizmos called wind tunnels the manufacturers use that keep air away from anything '80 or later.

It's NOT where you think it is!! HONEST!

IF you can find positive air, you MAY be able to take advantage of it. It's still how many bends and how far?

I race with dozens of guys every weekend and it is pretty well conceded that all these $300++ CAI's are about as effective as the "Tornado" in actually helping!

The science/theory is strong. The documented results almost don't exist in real world A-B-A testing without MAJOR cutting.

Not here to argue, but I can claim what my car runs.