cold air intake for 06 CTS

[TD Tenn]

Opnions on the K&N 63 series Cold Air Intake for a 3.6L CTS? Is the increase in horsepower worth the money? It's about $300 installed...

[RobertCTS]

The Volant seems to be the CAI of choice here on the Forum. It looks better and a more refined sound. The install is simple. Most of us have done it ourselves. All you need is a screw driver. It takes 30 minutes or less and 2 budweisers.

Premiere Trucks is a Forum Vendor and sells them for about $250 last I heard.

I made a custom tinted Volant lid for mine. It lets you check your filter with out removing the lid while sprucing up the engine compartment as well.

[mocts]

whats the difference between the 63 and 57 series? most people on this forum have a volant for about $240 and soon hopefully ill be getting one as it posted a great horsepower rating than the k&n. i believe it made 13rwhp

[mocts]

looks like robert beat me by 1 min

[jonnyd]

I would go with the VOlant... IMO. It is inside a box therefore I believe it would be cooler air. Compared to the K&N where it is in open air...consuming much engine heat. In my opinion I would go with the volant

[RobertCTS]

Originally Posted by mocts

looks like robert beat me by 1 min

You gotta be quick to beat the "Post Master" mocts.

[TD Tenn]

apparently the 63 series is supposed to be better...more horsepower i guess. But do these CAI things really work?

[RobertCTS]

Originally Posted by jonnyd

I would go with the VOlant... IMO. It is inside a box therefore I believe it would be cooler air. Compared to the K&N where it is in open air...consuming much engine heat. In my opinion I would go with the volant

It's my understanding that the K&N filter cone is slightly larger and allows more air in but unfortunately much of it is hot air.

I plan to use a hole saw to cut a 3" hole in the front of my Volant airbox. It's my understanding that the lid actually flexes at high RPMs. This suggest it's not getting as much air as it should. The front of the Volant box rests up against the radiator wall and you can get some of that cool air in front of the radiator. I've been waiting for warmer weather to do that mod.

Yes they work. See the Great Air Itake Challenge. They are good for about 10HP.

B.

[TD Tenn]

I understand you have to change the filter every so often? How often and how much do the filters cost?

[mocts]

im pretty sure that you just have to clean and re oil the filter though a new filter costs about $40

[RobertCTS]

Originally Posted by TD Tenn

I understand you have to change the filter every so often? How often and how much do the filters cost?

They last forever. You just use the cleaning kits and re-oil. Access to an airhose is nice too.

[cossie1msu]

I thought both intakes produced the same power about 14 at the wheels, and that the only difference was the noise. If you actually look at the K & N after a little while the heat shield has rubbed against the underside of the hood on that foam looking stuff. By the looks of it it makes a really good chamber to keep hot air out.

My thoughts are the design of the tube from filter to throttle body the K & N keeps the same diameter and even dips in a bit to make room for a radiator mount. Whereas the Volant actually gets larger at that spot by filling out that area better.

I honestly bet that a K & N filter with a volant tube is the best bet.....thats if you really want to worry about 1 or 2 more hp. Theres just something that tells me that sticking a filter back in a plastic box is counterintuitive.

[Coolcrash]

I have a custom fender wall intake K&N filter on my GTP and it is a huge difference , Gotta love the whine from the supercharger with more cold air hitting it I am hoping to get something for my CTS ,seems everyone likes the volant so does anyone know where they are sold in ontario,Canada ?

[chazman]

Originally Posted by RobertCTS

It's my understanding that the K&N filter cone is slightly larger and allows more air in but unfortunately much of it is hot air.

I plan to use a hole saw to cut a 3" hole in the front of my Volant airbox. It's my understanding that the lid actually flexes at high RPMs. This suggest it's not getting as much air as it should. The front of the Volant box rests up against the radiator wall and you can get some of that cool air in front of the radiator. I've been waiting for warmer weather to do that mod.

Yes they work. See the Great Air Itake Challenge. They are good for about 10HP.

B.

Make sure you let us know how it goes. Hasn't anyone done that yet?