What is the cheapest way to add HP to an 03+ LS8?

midi_junkie

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I hope im not double posting here.. just curious to know whats the best route. Ive already read up on the KKM True-Rev Sport Induction Intake Kit and am about 98% sure im going to purchase. Any other suggestions to squeeze some HP and torque out of this engine? I think its just begging for HP but how do i do it? Thanks.
 
You have the typical CAI, Exhaust, and SCT Tune for your typical mods. There are a few people here who can tune your car for you. ;)

If you want bigger more specialized stuff then there have been some of us who have ran various things such as nitrous, superchargers, and turbo's as well as a custom 8.8" differential swap running numerically higher gears. These last few mods are highly specialized and the prices to do them will reflect that. :cool:
 
is the KKM True-Rev Sport Induction Intake Kit a true cai? i heard its worse on gas mileage and that it gets really hot.. so im assuming its not a true one. is it difficult to make a heat sheild for it?
 
is the KKM True-Rev Sport Induction Intake Kit a true cai? i heard its worse on gas mileage and that it gets really hot.. so im assuming its not a true one. is it difficult to make a heat sheild for it?



I see the KKM "CAI" kits as a halfazzed piece of junk mostly. You don't get much for what you pay for; especially with the Gen1 LS kits! Get the K&N. It costs more but it performs better and looks worlds better.

None of the CAI's offered for the LS are "true" cold air intakes, but the K&N is much closer than the KKM is.
 
should i get the 57 or the typhoon? the 57 is ceramic right? im assuming that would be the way to go if thats the case. also.. lskoncepts has a Polished Aluminum Cold Air Intake Tube for a 2002 and earlier but i dont see one for an 04. where else could i get this.. should i get one or just get a custom job like this guy did on the forums? cant find the link.. he has a custom heat sheild to a snorkel that goes to his front bottom grill..
 
I built my own TRUE CAI. I spent alot of time on it but I know its probably the best performing intake I can get. Here are some pics (sorry for the night shots) I would advise making your own if you can.

2124407532_b54f28226f.jpg


2124402788_c6264ae56a.jpg


2124404904_aa7bb9b3ce.jpg
 
i dont know jack shi^ about cars.. i wouldnt know where to begin. and what makes it a "true" cai?


I built my own TRUE CAI. I spent alot of time on it but I know its probably the best performing intake I can get. Here are some pics (sorry for the night shots) I would advise making your own if you can.

2124407532_b54f28226f.jpg


2124402788_c6264ae56a.jpg


2124404904_aa7bb9b3ce.jpg
 
A "true" cold air intake draws in "cooler" air from outside of the "hot" engine bay. Generally they pull air up from under the front. You can have really bad outcome if you pull up water (heavy rain, slightly flooded road or intersection) with your cool air. I know this from experience:D hydrauliced a motor this way. Broke the crank... no fun...
 
I see the KKM "CAI" kits as a halfazzed piece of junk mostly. You don't get much for what you pay for; especially with the Gen1 LS kits! Get the K&N. It costs more but it performs better and looks worlds better.

None of the CAI's offered for the LS are "true" cold air intakes, but the K&N is much closer than the KKM is.
Robert,

I disagree with your assessment of the KKM units. I'm sure most people that have the KKM units will disagree as well. If you think you can make something better then I suggest you do so.
 
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Yeah, the reason I did the CAI on mine is because I live in California where there isn't a lot of rain, and definatly no salt/snow. I agree that CAI might not be for everyone. Its just the way to get cold air.

A "true" cold air intake draws in "cooler" air from outside of the "hot" engine bay. Generally they pull air up from under the front. You can have really bad outcome if you pull up water (heavy rain, slightly flooded road or intersection) with your cool air. I know this from experience:D hydrauliced a motor this way. Broke the crank... no fun...
 
Great thread! Thanks to ILLS, DTX01, Camthman for offering other options for a CAI. GrayGhost1 I have been looking at the KKM for a couple of weeks and appreciate your option as well!

Camthman do you have a parts list or other pics of your install? I want to weigh all of my options!
 
i think im gonna go with the k&n typhoon. gonna get a buddy of mine to put a snorkel under the fender well...... sound good??
 
Great thread! Thanks to ILLS, DTX01, Camthman for offering other options for a CAI. GrayGhost1 I have been looking at the KKM for a couple of weeks and appreciate your option as well!

Camthman do you have a parts list or other pics of your install? I want to weigh all of my options!

The only problem with my set-up, is for the average person, its going to be alot of work. Alot of drilling and welding, as well as alot of work with the dremel. I was actually thinking of making a few of my intakes and selling them however, you have to modify the fender quite abit to get everything to fit. (Most people dont want to cut on their car.)
 
Robert,

I disagree with your assessment of the KKM units. I'm sure most people that have the KKM units will disagree as well. If you think you can make something better then I suggest you do so.




Ken, I have already made items better than that and for cheaper as well. Take a look at KKM's Gen1 LS kit. You get a billet aluminum MAFS adapter, a filter, some bolts, and a hose clamp for close to $100. You can order the billet MAFS adapter off the net (not from ebay either) for $30. You can get a filter for $25-$30 and the rest for a few bucks at the local hardware store. Not worth the price for what you get.

I know I can make something better and I have; matter of fact. The reason why I will not offer anything in this case is because K&N actually is doing it right. Their kits may cost more but they are built from quality pieces and you get what you pay for in a CAI system not just a MAFS adapter and filter.

Ken I do not expect you to understand any of this as you just sell this stuff and are not required to have any real understanding of how to build it or piece something together from scratch. I do suggest that you do a little research on the cost to benefit ratio before carrying a product. It will do your customers some good. KKM's systems are minimal and halfways done; that is the truth anyway you slice it.
 
one thing tho... i have an 04... i looked under my hood and attached to the current air filter is one small and one a little bigger .. i dont know how to explain it.... its two 'hoses' but not... like plastic pieces connected to what looks like the top of the radiator.. its a long peice of plastic that sits on top of the radiator.. i dont see this in your pic.. is it just the diff of year? it must be of some importance seeing that its attached by plastic to the "thing".. ill attach a pic. does this come off or does the typhoon connect to this?



aaa.jpg
 
Ken, I have already made items better than that and for cheaper as well. Take a look at KKM's Gen1 LS kit. You get a billet aluminum MAFS adapter, a filter, some bolts, and a hose clamp for close to $100. You can order the billet MAFS adapter off the net (not from ebay either) for $30. You can get a filter for $25-$30 and the rest for a few bucks at the local hardware store. Not worth the price for what you get.

I know I can make something better and I have; matter of fact. The reason why I will not offer anything in this case is because K&N actually is doing it right. Their kits may cost more but they are built from quality pieces and you get what you pay for in a CAI system not just a MAFS adapter and filter.

Ken I do not expect you to understand any of this as you just sell this stuff and are not required to have any real understanding of how to build it or piece something together from scratch. I do suggest that you do a little research on the cost to benefit ratio before carrying a product. It will do your customers some good. KKM's systems are minimal and halfways done; that is the truth anyway you slice it.
I expected a response like this. As for a cost/benefit ratio, I don't hear anyone complaining about the kits other than you.

When you make a statement that the KKM kits are junk then you don't back anything up other than YOUR opinion. Give some concrete data, dyno's and the like. When you come on here and give your opinion that it is junk then you should at least say why. Have you compared the KKM units to the "cheap" systems you are talking about? If so, let's see it.

Also, when someone buys the KKM kit they get the whole item to install it. What you are saying is that someone has to buy an adapter kit, then a filter then a clamp and so on. I'm sure that someone has a cheaper widget A than Bob's widget B down the street. However, calling it a piece of junk doesn't make it better or worse. It is only your opinion stating as such.

If you want to start selling your "performance" items on here...pony up the cash to be a Vendor member and be done with it. If not, then you have no right to tell an LvC member that an item a FULL, PAID and RESPECTED vendor member sells is junk. It seems you are the only one ever complaining about it. I'm sick of reading about it on here.

Have I posted in your Turbo thread stating that is junk? I have the maturity to know when to keep my mouth shut about someone's car or the like. You NEVER see me bash someones car regardless of how ridiculous it may be. That is not very respectable to that member.

My recommendation as an LvC Staff Member and Moderator is that if you can not be mature on this forum maybe you need to go somewhere else. I will not have this discussion with you again.
 
Ken, I have already made items better than that and for cheaper as well. Take a look at KKM's Gen1 LS kit. You get a billet aluminum MAFS adapter, a filter, some bolts, and a hose clamp for close to $100. You can order the billet MAFS adapter off the net (not from ebay either) for $30. You can get a filter for $25-$30 and the rest for a few bucks at the local hardware store. Not worth the price for what you get.

I know I can make something better and I have; matter of fact. The reason why I will not offer anything in this case is because K&N actually is doing it right. Their kits may cost more but they are built from quality pieces and you get what you pay for in a CAI system not just a MAFS adapter and filter.

Ken I do not expect you to understand any of this as you just sell this stuff and are not required to have any real understanding of how to build it or piece something together from scratch. I do suggest that you do a little research on the cost to benefit ratio before carrying a product. It will do your customers some good. KKM's systems are minimal and halfways done; that is the truth anyway you slice it.

Your schpiel is getting old real quick.
 

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