CAI recomendation for a 03 Silverado 2WD 5.3 with towing package?

**ibmoses** · 12-27-2008, 11:26 PM

My 03 Silverado has the 5.3 with towing package, so it has the air filter indicator hickey thang...

My question is: that scrawny looking pipe between the Throttle Body and the Air Filter Box sure looks restrictive, is there a replacement that will bolt right on and still use the factory air cleaner box?

Forgive me for not doing research yet, I will research this but I wanted to go ahead and get some input.

Bert

**dwill3015** · 12-28-2008, 12:50 PM

I don't think a bigger pipe is the problem with restricted airflow, its the factory air box and filter. It's better to upgrade with the whole kit to optimize airflow.

**04blackgmc** · 12-28-2008, 08:33 PM

eh its usually the piping that is the issue...Not the air box

on my 04 i had a K&n drop in with a modded air box and Air raid intake tube and liked it.. I got a GM CAI later on and also liked it but wasnt a huge gain or anything..

My gto just has a replacement tube with Stock airbox..works GREAT!

**ibmoses** · 01-03-2009, 03:38 PM

http://marylandspeed.com/kn-fipk-int...-1-p-1913.html according to this dyno chart
http://www.kandn.com/dynocharts/77-3021_dyno.pdf this system is pretty much worhtless in H.P. gains until way up in RPM's
Bert

**dwill3015** · 01-03-2009, 03:50 PM

I went with a K&N FIPK kit on our Suburban which we were very happy with the gains. I installed an AFE Stage1 CAI on my Silverado, then switched back to my modded stock airbox and stock tube and got better gains than with the AFE so not always is it the Tube that is the restriction.

**ibmoses** · 01-03-2009, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by dwill3015

I went with a K&N FIPK kit on our Suburban which we were very happy with the gains. I installed an AFE Stage1 CAI on my Silverado, then switched back to my modded stock airbox and stock tube and got better gains than with the AFE so not always is it the Tube that is the restriction.

Thanks for the reply

Is there a "write up" anywhere on how to "modify" or "Gut" the stock airbox?

I was thinking all along that a drop in K & N filter and to somehow modify the stock box might be the way to go?
My 03 2WD Silverado with towing package has the box with the indicator on it.

I looked at Volant just now, I have not found anyDyno information on the Volant.

Bert

**ibmoses** · 01-03-2009, 06:13 PM

It just occurred to me:

If these CAI's improve gas mileage then why dont the manufactures prove it.

How hard can it be to take a brand new truck/car and put it on a chassis Dyno set the sucker on 70mph for a defined time or distance and put the cruise on while measuring the fuel consumption.

Then repeat with the CAI or Performance "Chip", exhaust or other component.

Perhaps this has already been done?

Show me the DATA

Bert

**dwill3015** · 01-03-2009, 07:12 PM

THE AIRBOX MOD:

Tools:
3" holesaw
Small Drill bit
Phillips screwdriver
Dremel cut tool

Material:
4 SS screws
.025 sheet of aluminum (cut out of 8"x 18" sheet)
Shop vac filter.

1. Remove Airbox from Vehicle
2. Locate the side of the filter box facing the headlight assembly. In the lower left corner, remove the 3 center ribs on the outside of the box with Dremel.
3. Drill a 3" hole into airbox between the two remaining ribs.
4. Cut a piece out of the shop vac filter to fit area where the hole is and between the two ribs you didn't cut out.
5. Cut the Aluminum sheet to the same size as the shop vac filter and drill a 3" hole in the middle. Try to match the hole location in airbox.
6. Drill 4 pilot holes and attach to airbox using SS screws.

Recommendations:
1. Use material that won't rust.
2. Alternate material-Corragated metal (if you can find it)
3. Reason I chose shop vac filter? If it can keep water out of a shop vac motor, it will keep the bugs and water out of my K&N filter.

**ibmoses** · 01-03-2009, 07:37 PM

Thank you sir!

I knew there had to be a write up on this...

I will start gathering the stuff immediately!

Now I just have to decide what type of filter to get: K&N, AFE, Spectre, AER?

Bert

**ibmoses** · 01-04-2009, 12:54 PM

Duh, how does one release those two retaining pins to remove the air box?

I wonder if a hose coud be rigged up from the 3" hole in the air box to the bottom of the front air dam.

My truck does not have the lights in the air dam, I could cut that area out or use the hole that is already there, by removing the two hook.

No way the hose could be 3" but it looks lile a hose for a shop vac would fab up and fit if I could find a shallow elbow to turn from the hose into the airbox...

Thanks

Bert