Cold Air Intake (CAI) upgrade
Discussion
I final got round to doing the CAI second hole upgrade. It proved a very simple job and took about 45mins excluding the time spent trying to find a 89mm hole cutter!!!! (about 1.5hrs)
The upgrade is simply a matter of cutting a second hole into the CAI from the Air box which then allows double the amount of air to flow into the Air box and onto the engine.
When fitted I took the car out for a test drive and apart from the deeper exhaust note and a small increase in induction noise (nice) I could not tell the difference so I went home and did a PCM reset (I could have waited a few day for the car to relearn the new air flow but I was impatient).
So out for another test run and wow smooth power and no let up right to the red line!!!! the power has always come in at about 3000rpm+ now at least 500rpm sooner
I think this is another simple and worth while upgrade and cheap $12 for the pipe, it also forms another link required to make real power from the LS1.
Here are a few picture of my CAI and air box (mine is a HSV so Monaro drivers yours is a bit different but you really need to do this upgrade!!!)
Original Air box
New hole in CAI
Finished unit
The upgrade is simply a matter of cutting a second hole into the CAI from the Air box which then allows double the amount of air to flow into the Air box and onto the engine.
When fitted I took the car out for a test drive and apart from the deeper exhaust note and a small increase in induction noise (nice) I could not tell the difference so I went home and did a PCM reset (I could have waited a few day for the car to relearn the new air flow but I was impatient).
So out for another test run and wow smooth power and no let up right to the red line!!!! the power has always come in at about 3000rpm+ now at least 500rpm sooner
I think this is another simple and worth while upgrade and cheap $12 for the pipe, it also forms another link required to make real power from the LS1.
Here are a few picture of my CAI and air box (mine is a HSV so Monaro drivers yours is a bit different but you really need to do this upgrade!!!)
Original Air box
New hole in CAI
Finished unit
I have just had a look at my air box and it has already has a 78mm plastic plug in it around the same place you cut your hole. When I popped the plug out there did not look to me there was as much space in front of the air box as yours. I am in two minds whether to put a pipe into the air intake in front of the air box. At the moment I have put a small length of pipe in the hole and left it at that. I am wondering if there is another air intake from the GTS that would go in instead of the one I have got.
By the way my air filter looks like some one has drenched it in dirt and muck, good thing that I have a K&N replacement on the way. I think I should gain some from this also, I did with my last car.
By the way my air filter looks like some one has drenched it in dirt and muck, good thing that I have a K&N replacement on the way. I think I should gain some from this also, I did with my last car.
Here is another picture which might help, the second hole in the air box also cuts through the CAI (black plastic shroud). Your air box is a later design which has a second hole with a plastic plug, in one hole, like the Monaro ones, you can just add a small pipe but there is space to cut a 89mm hole!!!
I completed the CIA upgrade yesterday. I can report simmilar things to Uk HSV increaced induction noise and it seems to be a bit quicker. I will have to wait for Sunday to find out the full effect. I used a 75mm pipe, which is the same size as the cut out already in my airbox. This just happens to be the same size as a piece of drain pipe I hade knocking around. It took me about 45 mins and cost me nothing as I had all the parts and cutter around me.
Completed the additional air pipe mod.
First thoughts is better acceleration, but what a tremendous roar from the induction from about 3k onwards, sounds like a lion
Zorst sounds deeper and crisper.
Excellent mod to do, bit fiddly - thanks to those that helped
Only thing that needs doing is to impprove the seal where the new pipe leaves the CAI - perhaps some window draft excluder will work.
First thoughts is better acceleration, but what a tremendous roar from the induction from about 3k onwards, sounds like a lion
Zorst sounds deeper and crisper.
Excellent mod to do, bit fiddly - thanks to those that helped
Only thing that needs doing is to impprove the seal where the new pipe leaves the CAI - perhaps some window draft excluder will work.
Is it worth making this upgrade to an otherwise unmodified Monaro CV8? Or does it really need an exhaust upgrade to make the most of the increased airflow? What differences can I expect if cutting an extra hole in the airbox is the only mod I make?
Apologies for newbie questions - so much to learn!
>> Edited by moosepig on Wednesday 22 September 10:19
Apologies for newbie questions - so much to learn!
>> Edited by moosepig on Wednesday 22 September 10:19
Your first investment should be a K&N air filter (about £40) then add a better MafPipe(approx £90) with the CAI 2nd hole (free)this will give much better engine response (and intake noise!)
Another free mod for the monaro is to enclose the top of the CAI as it is open to the hot air from the engine bay. OR buy a HSV CAI (not cheap)
If you see a wide mouth CAI for sale be advised that they have had very poor results (some cars lost power)
This is what CAPA in Australia said about them...
Back when the LS-1 came out here in Australia they were the craze, to have the wide mouth cold-air intakes.. But over time, they have been down graded, as better ones have been tested and trialled.. The CAI we found that works the best and looks very factory like is the one pictured below.. We use them on all our N/Asp upgraded cars.. They work a treat..
The picture showed a HSV CAI..........
Another free mod for the monaro is to enclose the top of the CAI as it is open to the hot air from the engine bay. OR buy a HSV CAI (not cheap)
If you see a wide mouth CAI for sale be advised that they have had very poor results (some cars lost power)
This is what CAPA in Australia said about them...
Back when the LS-1 came out here in Australia they were the craze, to have the wide mouth cold-air intakes.. But over time, they have been down graded, as better ones have been tested and trialled.. The CAI we found that works the best and looks very factory like is the one pictured below.. We use them on all our N/Asp upgraded cars.. They work a treat..
The picture showed a HSV CAI..........
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