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Cold air intake...worth it??

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28K views 36 replies 31 participants last post by  coheil  
L
#1 ·
I have a 2015 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 motor. I tow a camper and the gas mileage stinks. Will a cold air intake bump the mpg as well as the throttle response??
and the packages available run from less than 100 to over 400 dollars.
Currently has 69k on the od. No other mods.
 
#4 ·
Your truck came from the factory with a CAI. Aftermarket will look cool and sound good but will not help with MPG or power unless you drive 95% of your time at redline.
 
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J
#17 ·
The only way you will know for sure is to buy one and run it for a few years! But dont half azz it. buy the whole set up! Then do your testing and get back to us that have had them and have had No results that made it worth the purchase and are trying to pass that lesson on to you!
Don't forget to take pictures!
 
#20 · (Edited)
Your truck has a modern computer controlled direct injection motor. Regular air filter (OEM) vs. a CAI or performance filter will have no effect on fuel efficiency. The ECM is programmed to adjust Air/Fuel (A/F) ratio to predetermined spec’s., so increasing air will mean the ECM will adjust the fuel to the programmed A/F ratio. Basically cold air intakes and performance air filters make minimal HP increase and give the illusion of more HP simply because they make more noise over factory setups and people tend to justify their purchase by embellishing the performance and fuel economy.

If you read the fine print he makers are careful not to make mileage claims. RE:
- HOW WILL A K&N® FILTER AFFECT MY VEHICLE'S FUEL ECONOMY?
K&N® does not make any claims or advertisements regarding fuel economy.
Click to expand...
- CAN COLD AIR INTAKES IMPROVE GAS MILEAGE?
K&N® does not make any claims or guarantees in terms of increased gas mileage with the use of K&N filters or intakes, due to a vast number of variables that can affect a vehicle's gas mileage.
Click to expand...
 
A
#28 ·
I pull a 27ft, 7320 GVW travel trailer with my 2014 1500 5.3 4wd crew cab and I get 9-11 mpg depending on the roads I'm on. But I don't pull over 65mph. My Envoy with the 5.3 got the same pulling a 19ft TT.
It is what it is. Travel trailers really cut gas mileage. But we love to travel and see the US so it's figured into the cost of the trip.
 
M
#34 ·
AmericanSilverado said:
I pull a 27ft, 7320 GVW travel trailer with my 2014 1500 5.3 4wd crew cab and I get 9-11 mpg depending on the roads I'm on. But I don't pull over 65mph. My Envoy with the 5.3 got the same pulling a 19ft TT.
It is what it is. Travel trailers really cut gas mileage. But we love to travel and see the US so it's figured into the cost of the trip.
Click to expand...
Have you looked at a tune? That will provide you better throttle response, and more likely to increase mpg than any CAI could ever dream of.

My 2012 5.3 3.42 gear got 12.5mpg pulling a 7k lbs enclosed car hauler at 65mph for 800 miles. I’m basically stock with a tune. Not an apples to apples comparison, but I would think your direct inject engine could possibly do a bit better.
 
J
#29 ·
Something I didn't see (maybe just missed it) is just what size and weight TT is the OP pulling. Inquiring minds want to know. Sometimes we simply ask too much of our equipment without even realizing it. All mechanical equipment has limits, and those guys who design, build and sell it are most often going to provide the very best it can produce in order to maintain sales. There's just no such thing as a free lunch. Yes, there are gains to be made here, but the cost to attain them is just not feasible for the task at hand. jj
 
#32 ·
+1 on what Jeff says ^^^^. I had an AR tube on my '13. No difference whatsoever. I took it off because of the intake noise being too loud for me. Hmmm... I should sell the tube.
 
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