So I have an open element (14"x3") I was thinking of going with the 6" but realized I'd just be adding in more hot air. My question is, should I buy the cold air intake? I already have the TB spacer, open element, and exhaust. What are your thoughts and opinions?
CK5
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Open element, or Cold air intake?
- Thread starter RENO88
- Start date
badmix
1/2 ton status
Go snorkle. 
Im running OPEN element 14 x 5" K&N. I dont have any issues, but I understand the cold/hot air thing. I want to do a snorkle setup, but time and money get in the way.
Im running OPEN element 14 x 5" K&N. I dont have any issues, but I understand the cold/hot air thing. I want to do a snorkle setup, but time and money get in the way.
Redwookie
1/2 ton status
Yeah a snorkel would be cool. Does anybody make a kit for the k5's or is diy?
daleearnhardt01
1/2 ton status
Toyota FJ80 kit is the closest match.
badmix
1/2 ton status
Yes and No. There isnt any really commercially available kits like LandROvers or Jeeps, but there is someone on here that sells kits. ANd ppl have posted the DIY versions with the proper stuff to get. Its not cheap by any means. 200-300bux for a kit min. that looks decent. There is always the PVC pipe route. 
lol
lol
Dabba
1/2 ton status
I had the open element and i put a stock filter holder back on, it dosnt seem to effect performance much at all and it reduces the fire hazzard so. Id say do that, cold air intakes dont belong on these trucks, unless of course you do nothing but drive it on the street and avoid puddles, you certianly have the ground clearence, but i tend to steer towards puddles and mud and **** so, again, another plus for the stock holder unless you wanna goo schorkel.
Redwookie
1/2 ton status
Well good to know. Unfortunately it'll be a while before i can even worry about that though. Too many more pressing mods and not enough time or money
badmix
1/2 ton status
IMO, CAI will be restrictive compared to open element. WHile an Open element draws warmer air, its still drawing in MORE air. Also your only going to get in so much air with your TBI. Unless you go to bigger TB, bigger intake manifold , bigger intake ports on head and then you have the other end, more air in, means more air out (exhaust).
Just put the stock setup back on it. No way your engine demands more than the "cold air induction" GM designed and installed on these trucks.
Thunder
3/4 ton status
YUP
Put your stock system back on. You will make more power with the stock CAI than with open element filter. TBI works best with the stock CAI. The stock system flows way more air than a stock TB will ever need.
Then spend the money you saved on a set of headers.
Put your stock system back on. You will make more power with the stock CAI than with open element filter. TBI works best with the stock CAI. The stock system flows way more air than a stock TB will ever need.
Then spend the money you saved on a set of headers.
George_Pimpdaddy
1/2 ton status
what he said!
nad
1/2 ton status
What about a carb'd motor? Will my quadrajet benefit from an open element or CAI?
My personal opinion is the same, if it's got the later carbed snorkel setup. (early stuff with the really small inlet and no cold air was crummy)
Someone calculated rough flow potential of the stock snorkel setup, IIRC it was pretty high, more than most engines need.
Someone calculated rough flow potential of the stock snorkel setup, IIRC it was pretty high, more than most engines need.
That's right, even waterholes that aren't too deep can completely soak an open filter. It's hard to power through a mudhole with a stalled engine.The factory intake point next the radiator is really good. I can coat the engine, hood and windshield with mud and the top of the grill is still clean.Plus, it runs better with CAI, as stated above.
nad
1/2 ton status
I managed to soak my filter in my original TBI snorkel setup...
I used my snorkel setup on my carb too.
I used my snorkel setup on my carb too.
I've made tentative plans to change up my CAI approach... I run the stock setup now and have a spare that I was gonna mod in, for dual intake...
But recent decisions in build direction have me planning a whole different and hopefully innovative approach...
It'll be a first for this forum as far as I know...
But recent decisions in build direction have me planning a whole different and hopefully innovative approach...
It'll be a first for this forum as far as I know...
Dabba
1/2 ton status
i dont have the tubing that goes to the grille. just the holder, it held up when i caked my windshield and roof in mud, didnt wanna hydrolock the motor, did that once in another car.....
