Who sells the AEM intake?

 

AEM is a great company with great products.

 

How does it compare to K&N's FIPK? I have one...K&N said it should give 5% to 8% rwhp gain. This is the only mod I have so far...looking for a really good fitting/performing set of headers.
It looks like the Volant might pull cooler air since the filter is in a box. I have a 2004 Sierra,extended ,auto 3.42 rear...4,000+ miles...using Mobil 1 5W 30.

 

I would say they are probrobally about the same. As 03GMC said, most aftermarket intakes are pretty close in power gains. The AEM and K&N both have the open element conical filter and the heat shield, I chose the AEM because the tube is aluminum and the heat shield is stainless steel, as opposed to plastic on the K&N. For years K&N said that the plastic (POLY) tube dissapated heat better then a metal or aluminum tube, then when everyone started buying AEM's or other metal tube intakes such as AirForce1, MAC, etc., they started offering theirs in aluminum!!...go figure. I wouldn't waste the money getting an AEM if you already have a FIPK, but I chose the AEM over the FIPK for those reasons.

 

Thanks. Have you heard about intake manifold gasket leaks on these LS 1s? I saw a web site that was all complaints and have heard about a law suit resulting in GM buying back vehicles on a case-by-case basis. Any other potential problems like durability of 4L60s? I'd like to think I'll be pretty much trouble-free. I like the truck...it's the only thing I've owned with any pull since my '71 340 Dodge.

 

I haven't heard of the intake gaskets leaking....but I know alot of guys on here who make power go thru some transmissions. I've had good luck so far (knocking on wood) with my trans, but my truck doesn't really make much power. I also have a trans cooler and gauge and keep my eye on the temp's. Heat kills! My biggest complaint is cold weather piston slap....I swear I grit my teeth in the winter every time I start this pig. It sounds like a rod is gonna come out the side of the block when you first start it up! As far as GM buying back vehicles, I'm sure they would rather just warranty the gaskets and trans. rather then buy back the trucks.

 

mine is aluminium.

 

I found this out by comparing dyno numbers from my truck and other 4.8's with different intakes. (Volant put 13 RWHP on my truck) Considering that the Ram Air tube is useless on the dyno I expect the power is more like 16 or 17 at 60 MPH.

There was also a test done on FSC that showed Volant provided the coolest air charge. While it was found the open elements flow a fraction more air, in actually a little less cooler (therefore denser) air actually buillds more power than a little more warmer air. I think it was oracle who did this test.

I'll try to dig up the link for you.

As far as problems with open air, the main one being dirt. My old FIPK got filthy in a week driving around Oklahoma, the Volant stays cleaner. And of course as i mentioned before, the heat warms the air charge more in the open element.


To each his own, I'm glad your pleased with yours. As for me the only thing that will replace my Volant MIGHT be a Vera Ram Cobra if it actually does what is claimes to do.

 

I guess as long as everyone is happy with their particular intake, then all is well. I got my intake from Ebay for a buy it now price of $239 shipped free from 24hribuy or something like that. Received it a few days later, I'm still liking it. Throttle response is better at most any throttle position, seems to build speed on the highway a bit easier with less throttle input.

 

Glad to hear about the trans. That piston slap is one of the things those people were complaining about. What causes it?...only in cold weather?...how many miles when it first happened? What actually happens...is it the skirts hitting the bores? Think it's a oil pressure problem when cold? I've been using Mobil 1 for many years...flows very well when cold...cranking speed at 30 degrees sounds about the same as it does at 70.
BTW,I used to live in Md...Silver Spring mostly.