CAI Engine Light Safe to drive until tune?

[maxxor6868]

2012 v6 camaro lt. Added cold air intake and got on and off engine code. Depending on the weather and drive lean code comes and goes p0171. I can clear it myself or it disappears on its own. I think I have to get a tune to be rid of this issue for good since I already tighten everything and clean the maf sensor but still get the code. I think my gas is running a little worse than normal but hard to say with the weather and my lack of driving lately could be placebo. It says the system is running lean but is it safe to drive for a few weeks until I have the money for a proper tune? How much would it cost to tun to account for the new cold air intake?

[SaReNi]

talk to Dyno Steve on here. he is the tuning guru for this stuff and these cars.




https://www.dspperformancemotorsport...egory/3/camaro

[Ck1984]

Originally Posted by maxxor6868

2012 v6 camaro lt. Added cold air intake and got on and off engine code. Depending on the weather and drive lean code comes and goes p0171. I can clear it myself or it disappears on its own. I think I have to get a tune to be rid of this issue for good since I already tighten everything and clean the maf sensor but still get the code. I think my gas is running a little worse than normal but hard to say with the weather and my lack of driving lately could be placebo. It says the system is running lean but is it safe to drive for a few weeks until I have the money for a proper tune? How much would it cost to tun to account for the new cold air intake?

no offense but IMHO CAI are a joke. especially on a NA V6
they may have been worth something 25 yrs ago but now butkiss or you have to use PREMIUM fuel for minor gains.

i would bet money for every dollar spent on CAIs you would get 3x performance from same money spent on faster rear gears

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

This is going to be a fun discussion

[CamaroCracka]

Originally Posted by Ck1984

no offense but IMHO CAI are a joke.
they may have been worth something 25 yrs ago but now butkiss

i would bet money for every dollar spent on CAIs you would get 3x performance from same money spent on faster rear gears

Jannetty did a big dyno test on all that were out years back and V8s saw, IIRC, 5 to 20ish hp, but I am with you on the cost of some of these CAIs. I run a K&N on the vert I got on here for $100 and the turbo car has a silicone air filter right on the compressor housing. If you are only doing bolt-ons, a CAI is about mandatory to get those few hp, kind of like underdrive pulleys. I would imagine the stock air box flows pretty well for a V6. Modded engines would certainly benefit more.

Changing rear gears is an entirely different skill level than putting a CAI on and decent diffs are getting hard to find at a reasonable price. You also have to be careful with gears as going too steep can create a situation where you have to shift right before the end of the quarter nullifying most of the gains, certainly make it more fun on the street though.

[ADVMax]

CAI, Borla ATAK cat back and some minor tuning and I’m at 403 WHP which comes out to around 475 engine HP.

LS3’s are not tuned for performance from the factory, they’re tuned for mileage and emissions. A fair bit of HP can be tuned into an LS3 with just the addition of a CAI to help get some more air in.

LS’s are about as easy as it gets to tweak a little extra HP out of without crazy engine mods. I’m too stupid to be let out in public with ZL1 level HP.

[2010sgm]

I have not seen a check engine light over a Cai. My v6 is running fine with my airaid and exhaust

[Dave-G]

Depending on the one you used, I have seen some of the cheaper ones end up causing a code to pop up. A tune is unnecessary when just adding a CAI. As far as them being a waste of money and having no effect, I disagree. While you will not gain felt horse power, the gain in torque with a good tube is noticeable, especially in a car with a standard transmission.

[CamaroCracka]

Originally Posted by ADVMax

I’m too stupid to be let out in public with ZL1 level HP.

God bless ya for knowing your limitations.

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Some companies like vararam have tune versions and non tune versions as well…. So yea it is completely plausible you might need a tune depending on what you are running. You might check for air leaks at the in the CAI plumbing at the throttle body or other wise. Un metered air will cause a lean a lean code too.

[Moto-Mojo]

Excellent point about the rear-gear skill level. For a shade tree weekend warrior, a CAI was a no brainer. The GM 'Z/28' noise alone was worth it to me. And they ain't cheap! The stock box sounded nothing like the Z-box. One member (CreeperRS -page 10) I think that is long gone got 16HP on the dyno.

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...385592&page=10