I'm looking to buy a CAI for my 99 Sierra 5.3 but got some questions about some of the choices.

K&N Series 77
K&N GEN II
Volant
AEM
AIRAID
MAC PERFORMANCE
TRUEFLOW
VARARAM

Is there any I forgot?
Who has what and what do you think?
Did you notice and increase in performance?
Mileage?
Is there a difference between having the pipe made out of a metal or plastic?
Closed box or open element?
Ram air?

Thanks for any advice.....

 

I think that all you are going to get is personal opinions here. For example I like K&N. I have the K&N Gen II. I think it looks better under our hoods than the chrome tube ones, but hear that the 77 is better in the HP gains. I also heard that UPD was a good HP gain, but cracked alot. You want performance, looks, or both?

Have you thought about making your own? I have seen some really nice ones on here!

You have to think about heat soak. Closed elements keep out the under hood temps. Ram air is nice, but I think it is only effective at hi-speeds.

K&N gen II - noticed better throttle response.


How do you like your K&N on your other truck?

 

You could add Outlaw to that list...seems alot of guys at silveradoSS.com really seem to like that one. I've had the K&N FIPK and now have the Volant w/ ram air, and I'm happy with both. Felt about the same performance from each...never noticed a mileage increase though, but I don't really calculate my fuel economy.

 

Actually I've heard otherwise. Ive heard that since it is in fact metal the tube gets hot and therefor the air isn't quite as "cold" as the regular plastic tube. There was a pretty good sized debate on gmfullsize about this about 4 months ago. I ended up going with the gen II K&N and it didnt really do a whole lot just like my friends volant didnt to much either. Its just an air intake so it's not going to work too many wonders.

 

1truess-On my other truck I did everything at the same time and don't really know how much it helped. The truck is way quicker than it was but don't know how much credit goes to the K&N. I am looking for something that looks good and performs well. I like the look of the K&N 77 but like Random said the metal gets hot and cold air isn't that cold. I like the set up of the Volant. Any thoughts? Outlaw anyone got a link so I can check it out? Thanks for the help..

 

i've had real good success with the series 77 and the outlaw system.

 

I would like to see it too!

 

www.outlawpower.com

K&N's filter media sucks nads.