I have a 1997 Camaro SS and was wondering if anyone has tried installing an SLP cold air intake or aftermarket intake system on a car with factory equipped ram air. The factory system makes the incoming air from the hood scoop do a 360 before entering the intake and doesn't seem like it would be that effeicient. If anyone has compared the 2 systems is it worth changing over to the aftermarket cold air intake or should I stick with what I have and spend the money on something else?

 

performance should be about the same on both. One thing I don't like about the cai is the placement of the filter (i know this is the only place it can go). The filter sits right in front of the front tire and gets dirty easy.

 

Many have switched to the CAI system. Frankly, I don't really know why. I've never seen any evidence that the CAI is superior. I run the SS with a Holley filter and see no reason to change. JMHO

 

Years ago, High Tech Performance Magazine did a comparison on the two and found them to be virtually the same. The CAI being more effective at lower speeds and the SS style more effective at higher speeds. I have the AS&M CAI and have had it on the car since I purchased it new in 94. Never have had a problem, enjoyed the performance, but then of course it sits in the garage from the middle of November to the middle of March. Funny how these cars hate the snow!

 

I put an SLP CAI on because it uncovered the engine I'm spending so much time detailing. On the plus side though, using my scanner the air entering the engine was 15 deg cooler after the install. The SS filter set-up isn't really sealed to the hood and the passage through the hood is restrictive.

By the way. Original SS filter boxes sell for big money on Ebay. I've sold two, One for $192 and one for $!50. I also bought my polished SLP CAI off Ebay for $120.