I just bought a new Silverado Z-71 with the 5.3 v8. Thinking of doing a K&N Cold air system on it. I think the kit is about $279 and my local guy wants another $80 to put it on. How hard is this to install? I'm relatively handy with a wrench, but kinda lazy. Is this something I can do easily?

Also, is it worth the $300-400 it's going to cost me? How much HP/MPG will I gain? This truck is my daily driver, not a racer or anything.

First of all I would look at something from AEM with a dry flow filter. After seeing what can get by a K&N I will never own one again..2nd, install it yourself...you might as well light $80 on fire if you are going to have him do it...it's a simple hand-tool install.

You will get better sound and you might feel more power...your mileage will actually get worse because you will be playing with it.

BUT...if you are sensable when you drive you might see 1-2mpg increase.

Might want to be careful with the new drive by wire systems. Might have to do more cleaning that usual (MAF, TPS etc).

RR Ag where are you? Install is a DIY, I can assist you, and I sell them.


[This message has been edited by 1agswitchin4lanes (edited 9/15/2008 5:00p).]

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my local guy wants another $80 to put it on.

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i would love to see the itemized receipt for this.

this is seriously a VERY easy hand tool install.

if you have a pulse, you can install one. Now, if the 80 dollars is worth an couple of hours to you is another question.

The butt dyno will probably show at least 25 hp with a K&N.

The calculator will probably show 0 MPG change.

The $80 install that was quoted to me was by 4Wheel Parts in Austin, and that is their standard price for 1 hour of labor. The main reason I was considering letting them do it, was because I am having a leveling kit installed, and I thought I might just let them do the intake, while they had the truck. I still havent really decided. I'm sure I could do it myself.

Thanks for the tips/opinions

I wouldn't go with the K&N kit itself, their filters are fine. I've got one on the TBSS, and have had one on every vehicle I've ever driven without any issues at all.

But K&N's systems don't enclose the air box (that I've ever seen), so you're still sucking in hot air from the engine compartment, thus negating any gains from having a COLD air intake.

4WP= R@PE

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is it worth the $300-400 it's going to cost me? How much HP/MPG will I gain?

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almost 0/definately 0

Seriously. This is not going to get you anything worthwhile. Can't you just get the sticker for the window and be done with it? If these were actually worth having, they would be on the truck already. Thats my personal feeling about it. Ive had, K&N, Volant, etc....they don't do anything except lighten your wallet. Ive never seen ANY mpg gain over any appreciable amount of time, but i have also kept a fuel mileage log through every tank of fuel through the life of every vehicle i had. When you do that, its easy to see there is no gain.

I did comparison tests before/after installing JUST the filter in my first vehicle that I put it on.

I gained a tenth in the quarter.

That could be the exception, and not the rule, of course but to say "if it worked it would be on the vehicle from the factory" is a fallacy of a whole other magnitude.

ive always had them on my trucks and car, not really for performance gains per-se, just to breathe better.

I have had the K&N on my first truck, then installed the AEM dry-filter on my last Ram, now im running the aFe stage 2 on the charger.

Truck wise, i was happier with the AEM, it got a little better throttle response and sounded great. youll gain a LITTLE in mileage etc, just dont buy in to the K&N 20hp claim because it just wont happen.

my old truck was similar to this:


and here is my current setup:

installation wise, easiest damn mod to any vehicle. just be careful not to break off your sensors if you have any that insert into the tube.

that 90deg bend is killer

my car is the same way. vettes and f-bodies didn't have to worry about it since they had plenty of nose room to run a straight intake pipe.

here is a custom dual intake that is interesting that i considered, but its more for show.

you can get this for a gto

i'd love to have one for my V

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"if it worked it would be on the vehicle from the factory" is a fallacy of a whole other magnitude.

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Well, you might get better quarter mile times, you might pick up .03 HP or so, and it might feel faster, and better, but you are flowing more air, and i guarantee that you are letting more trash in the engine. So, i stand by the statement...if it was in fact 'better', it would be on there. The Ford diesel's are an excellent example. They come with Donaldson filters from the factory. There isnt much you can do to improve on that without sacrificing filtration.

I swear, you put out an air filter to the public, slap a 200 dollar price tag on it, and people think its the best thing since sliced bread. I feel like in most cases, these things are the equivalent of putting a cold air induction system on a lawnmower. I don't even know if most people have engines big enough to utilize such 'flow'.

Maybe im just too practical since im a truck owner...i mean, even if it gave you 10 extra HP...seriously...whats that good for? Nothing.

[This message has been edited by jed1154 (edited 9/19/2008 10:00a).]

Most dealerships sell K&N or some other variant.

Manufacturers almost never fill their vehicles with what is "best", but what is "best for the money people are willing to finance for this vehicle". i.e. DVD systems, Nav systems, stereo systems, tune on the ECM/PCM, etc.

The flow from a CAI is usually enough to throw off your A/F ratio so much that you REALLY should retune your PCM or ECM so that you can maximize the benefit.

I know on my Mustang, it needed it, because the CAI really, REALLY flowed better than stock.

A lot of the guys with the TB/TBSS would throw one on there and the thing would run like crap, due to A/F being all wonky. Heck, just porting and polishing my throttle-body allowed for enough flow to need adjusting for the additional.

i had to re-tune using my predator handheld to make up for the added airflow.

I put a K&N cold intake kit on my Dodge truck. I was averaging 14.5 mpg before I put the kit in, and now I am at 15.8

I've been going on for about 2 years each way (before/after I installed the kit), so I think those numbers are steady and accurate, as outside of the first couple of weeks I installed in I liked to gun it and didn't notice the difference, but have been back on my normal pace for a while and have seen a nice increase in my MPG since then.

But, I think each car is different. If your car already has a nice air intake setup compared to what a mod would give you, you won't see much gain. If you have restrictions in air flow that can be improve upon, you will see gains.

I'd try and see if you could find specifics on your year, make and model, and see what people are saying. Most types of cars have forums with nuts that are dedicated and try all types of mods and what not.