i was looking at getting a K&N intake (57 series) for my 2006 3.6L but had a few q's.

first, driving in the winter, with temps being anywhere from 0*C-20*C (sometimes down to -30*C at night) would i be better to put the stock air box back on in the winter? or does it not matter?

second, guy in my program said he put one on his 01 SS monte carlo and it killed his gas mileage.. yay or nay? i was thinking it wouldnt be affected much and if it was it would be for the better since there is colder air entering the engine...

third, with the filter being more exposed, how big of a concern is rain/ water

fourth, will there be any problems with the MAF sensor? dont know what, just curious

fifth, this intake Vs. the volant?

lastly, should i not even bother? (depend upon the answers from above i suppose)

i was looking at getting a K&N intake (57 series) for my 2006 3.6L but had a few q's.

first, driving in the winter, with temps being anywhere from 0*C-20*C (sometimes down to -30*C at night) would i be better to put the stock air box back on in the winter? or does it not matter?
It will not matter. I have noticed the intake to be a little louder. This will just make the job easier with the really cold air it is taking in.

second, guy in my program said he put one on his 01 SS monte carlo and it killed his gas mileage.. yay or nay? i was thinking it wouldnt be affected much and if it was it would be for the better since there is colder air entering the engine...
This is probably true but it is not from the intake hurting the gas mileage....its from the user hurting it!

third, with the filter being more exposed, how big of a concern is rain/ water
Should not be a concern at all.

fourth, will there be any problems with the MAF sensor? dont know what, just curious
I never had a problem with the MAF sensor and I have had the intake on for 5 months.

fifth, this intake Vs. the volant?
If you want a lot of noise.....go with the K&N. If you want a little rumble under the hood I suggest the volant. You get a couple extra HP out of the volant but it is not enough to sway someone one way or the other. I have the volant and I am satisfied with the sound with the combination of my V exhaust.

lastly, should i not even bother? (depend upon the answers from above i suppose)
Do it!

1) I wonder the same thing. Though I don't have one yet, so I can't give you that answer.

2) Look above, don't know yet.

3) There is no concern as far as weather go. Just don't spray a garden hose onto it. And when you wash it, which will be like every 15,000 miles anyways. Let it dry for at least 6 hours before you install it. This is after you wash, let it dry from the washing, then put the oil on. Let it dry for at least 6 hours after you put the oil back on.

4)K-N CAI comes with all the tubings and stuff that is needed. It also replaces the air resonator (if possible), but there is a piece that is "missing" and that is where the factory MAF will go. So no problem there.

5) For me, K-N CAI hands down. Reason, because you'll spend the same price for either one. But like I said above, the K-N replaces alot, if not all, of the tubing from the T/B to the new filter. Where as the Volant will only replace the filter and air box. There for, with the K-N CAI, your giving the air a more "smooth" tubing to flow through. Where as the volant still uses the factory's tubing and air resonator.

6) Go for the K-N CAI. Also if you have a scan tool, clear your check engine light history once you install it. From what I hear from people, clearing your codes can help the car relearn itself. Or if you feel like it, disconnect the battery for a hour or so.

KOT

5) For me, K-N CAI hands down. Reason, because you'll spend the same price for either one. But like I said above, the K-N replaces alot, if not all, of the tubing from the T/B to the new filter. Where as the Volant will only replace the filter and air box. There for, with the K-N CAI, your giving the air a more "smooth" tubing to flow through. Where as the volant still uses the factory's tubing and air resonator.


KOT

The Volant came with all new tubing so the air can flow more smoothly. Its also a bit thicker than the originally tube. The only factory part I used was the MAF sensor tube which I believe the K&N one uses as well.

My Volent came with the tubing, It came with everything except the MAF piece.

Really? I was under the impression that it doesn't come with the same stuff as the K-N cai.

Edit it.... I was correct to a point.

The 2.8 and 3.6 engines come with the tubing on both types of CAI. However, with the 3.2 only the K-N CAI comes with the tubing, where as the Volant only replaces the factory air box and uses the factory's tubing.

Well mine came with everything, as well as it was $27 cheaper than the KnN, and a few more horsepower.

fifth, this intake Vs. the volant?
If you want a lot of noise.....go with the K&N. If you want a little rumble under the hood I suggest the volant. You get a couple extra HP out of the volant but it is not enough to sway someone one way or the other. I have the volant and I am satisfied with the sound with the combination of my V exhaust.



K&N is more noise.. like what kind of noise? i dont want it sounding like im on the verge of a coffee can exhaust. i noticed you have the 3.6 aswell, and i was thinking of doing the V exhaust this spring, compared to the stock setup, how does it sound (i dont really want anything obnoxious, but the stock just sounds too 'raspy')

also, looking at the volant instruction from their website, is there two opening on the box, the rectangular one that face the grill and another that face the driver side wheel well?
and does anyone have the dyno for each (i know the K&N site has one), i did a search, maybe i just didnt look hard enough to find the dyno results on each.. and i know you guys said the difference was minimal, i am still curious to see

and thanks to everyone, very much appreciated

Here are two videos. And if you don't believe in irony, then how about this. They are videos of an 03 CTS with a 3.2. Which has the K-N CAI, and factory exhaust at the time I believe.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-cts-first-generation-forum-2003/182806-sound-my-3-2l-cts.html

KOT

K&N is more noise.. like what kind of noise? i dont want it sounding like im on the verge of a coffee can exhaust. i noticed you have the 3.6 aswell, and i was thinking of doing the V exhaust this spring, compared to the stock setup, how does it sound (i dont really want anything obnoxious, but the stock just sounds too 'raspy')

also, looking at the volant instruction from their website, is there two opening on the box, the rectangular one that face the grill and another that face the driver side wheel well?
and does anyone have the dyno for each (i know the K&N site has one), i did a search, maybe i just didnt look hard enough to find the dyno results on each.. and i know you guys said the difference was minimal, i am still curious to see

and thanks to everyone, very much appreciated


The combo of the Volant and V exhaust is far from being obnoxious. Its tough to explain the actual sound of it.... When driving the car you dont hear too much noise so it has never got to the point where I want to take it off. My brother drove my car yesterday and it was the first time I heard it drive away and i was very happy with the sound. I feel like a lot of people want their CTS to sound a little meaner and have dual chrome tips, so this is an inexpensive way to accomplish both/

alright thanks guys, i read elsewhere that the K&N tends to have a drone at cruise/ low rpm's, where as the Volant sounds almost stock until above 2500rpm or so... the volant is not such a noise maker, which is good because i more so want to 'tweak' than go out of my way and change the exhaust tone (atleast for the time being).

so this leads me to my decision to get the Volant. can anyone with a Volant confirm what this part of the box is
http://www.volant.com/3dkls/iddb/Tfile/FILE/Instructions/Cars/15000_Chevy/15636C_1.pdf
where it says "to fender well" is that a second opening on the box?

now for the filter, Pro5 or PowerCore? and im assuming the cleaning/oiling kit (for the Pro5) is extra.

Thats it.. and yes it has to openings, the rectangle in the front and the circle facing the fender. Im not sure what filter I have, it came in the kit.

i agree with cvadala7813...i have the Volant CAI with the V exhuast (and a few extra items) but i personally think it sounds great...

did you guys notice any loss in torque with less back pressure on the larger dia V pipes? i was reading through some old threads involving dyno tests, and guys were saying how the larger pipes caused a drop in torque, and that generally the best setup is to run stock (or same dia as stock) exhaust with an X pipe and mufflers.. im not at all versed in exhaust set ups so it is quite possibly i mis-understood

did you guys notice any loss in torque with less back pressure on the larger dia V pipes? i was reading through some old threads involving dyno tests, and guys were saying how the larger pipes caused a drop in torque, and that generally the best setup is to run stock (or same dia as stock) exhaust with an X pipe and mufflers.. im not at all versed in exhaust set ups so it is quite possibly i mis-understood

There would be such a small drop in the torque.....if any. There is no way that you could notice a difference in the performance of your car with the V exhaust. But your mind can be a wonderful thing.....I feel like my car has more throttle response and is be a bit quicker with my mods.