AEM CAI pipe

Discussion on fuel delivery & intake/exhaust tech & mods.
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bkwagonss
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AEM CAI pipe

Post by bkwagonss »

I installed an AEM Brute Force CAI pipe today.
It came with the metal pipe painted grey (polished also available), 2 rubber connecting boots, all the clamps and the air breather tube.
I didn't get a different filter or some other type of CAI because I didn't want a filter with oil in it and I didn't want the open air filter look.
Image
You can hear the engine sucking air a little better, but not loud.
Overall it looks nice and complements the look I'm going for.
2011 Caprice PPV 9C3 "karma"
2003 Silverado
1950 Chevy Fleetline
2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid (wife's car)
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bkwagonss
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Re: AEM CAI pipe

Post by bkwagonss »

Well, it's been over a week since I installed the CAI pipe.
I had no issues until today.
I don't know if it's related but I got a check engine light on today.

I took a trip about 60 miles away last weekend and no problems then.
I also have been driving in all kinds of rain and heat in the last 2 weeks.

I thought maybe the little breather tube came off because it's not quit as long as the one in the company instructions.
But I checked all the connections and everything is fine and tight.

I don't know if I will have time to get into the dealer to see what the code reads, if there is one.
Maybe I'll take it to an Advanced Auto near me and see if they can read it.

If the code is a problem related to the air pipe I will put the old one on for the Nationals.
I don't want a check engine light on for that long trip and all the car activities I am going to participate in.
2011 Caprice PPV 9C3 "karma"
2003 Silverado
1950 Chevy Fleetline
2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid (wife's car)
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bkwagonss
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Re: AEM CAI pipe

Post by bkwagonss »

So I dropped by the dealer on the way home from work today.
They checked the error code and it comes up as a fault on one of the secondary O2 sensors.

I asked if the cold air pipe or lack of mufflers could cause that fault.
He said it's possible, but he'd have to take the sensors out and test them to be sure.

So I'm going to put the plastic air inlet back on and disconnect the battery to reset the CEL.

When I get back from the Nationals next week, I'll take it in to get it checked out under warrantee.

Brian Herter from PCMs for Less is going to be at the Nationals, and I could get him to optimize the computer for the intake and exhaust.
But I better not mess with the computer till the warrantee is up.
2011 Caprice PPV 9C3 "karma"
2003 Silverado
1950 Chevy Fleetline
2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid (wife's car)
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Crazy Paul
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Re: AEM CAI pipe

Post by Crazy Paul »

bkwagonss wrote: So I'm going to put the plastic air inlet back on and disconnect the battery to reset the CEL.
After you installed the AEM did you disconnect the battery in order to erase "the short term memory" of the ECM?
Doing so would have allowed the system to learn from new the better flow characteristics of your new purchase.
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bkwagonss
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Re: AEM CAI pipe

Post by bkwagonss »

hmmmm, I didn't think of that.
Maybe I'll try that tomorrow.
That will give me 3 days to try it out before the Nationals.
Thanks CP.
2011 Caprice PPV 9C3 "karma"
2003 Silverado
1950 Chevy Fleetline
2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid (wife's car)
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bkwagonss
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Re: AEM CAI pipe

Post by bkwagonss »

Had the AIM pipe on for the Nationals.
The car performed well on the trip and during all the racing.
I only got 22 mpg on the highway, so it's probably wasting gas.
2011 Caprice PPV 9C3 "karma"
2003 Silverado
1950 Chevy Fleetline
2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid (wife's car)
Navy Lifer
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Re: AEM CAI pipe

Post by Navy Lifer »

Barry, do you know what your mileage numbers were before installing the pipe--ie. with the stock intake resonator package?

Reported numbers seem to be all over the map--I've seen no more than 23.1 on an extended highway trip when conditions should be closest to achieving "advertised" FE. It takes fuel to make 350 HP, so I need to keep this all in context/perspective, when comparing to B-body numbers or other cars we've owned.

Makes you wonder about the test methods GM follows (EPA prescribed?) to achieve their numbers, as well as fuel specs.

I know (or at least I suspect) the blended ("watered down" with ethanol) gasoline does harm FE, and fuel grade probably matters....I tend to buy the lowest (87), which the car runs "OK" with, but maybe the FE numbers could improve with use of higher octane, considering that timing should be able to run further advanced, since spark knock should be reduced.

I'm not complaining about poor FE, per se....but I would like to know I'm doing all I can to achieve the best numbers possible. Maybe the thing just needs to be broken-in more!
leadfart
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Re: AEM CAI pipe

Post by leadfart »

Before the blower, my best MPG was around 22. After the blower, I can get around 21, if I stay at 75. :mrgreen:
Bob Dannelley
2011 Alto Gray 9C3 Caprice PPV-Maggie-11.64@119.68-Sold!
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storm9c1
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Re: AEM CAI pipe

Post by storm9c1 »

bkwagonss wrote:Had the AIM pipe on for the Nationals.
The car performed well on the trip and during all the racing.
I only got 22 mpg on the highway, so it's probably wasting gas.
I wouldn't call it "wasting" gas. Intake is probably getting a cooler/denser air charge and thus adding more fuel. This also means more power.

I get much better mileage on the highway with my bone stock 2011 PPV with 3000 miles. I can push 30 MPG if I keep my speed down and constantly fight it to stay in 4-cylinder mode. It takes some hypermile skills. Even the cruise control can get me 25-27 MPG.

Adding premium fuel makes jump a few MPGs on top of that. There has been quite a bit of inconsistency lately with the fuel around here. The 383 in my '69 C30 truck is very sensitive to fuel and sometimes it runs great, other times I gotta fight it to keep it from pinging. It varies by fillup. Frustrating. I wonder if anyone is actually testing the octane ratings of gas these days. I suspect the ethanol is really playing games with us. The laws are only going to get worse -- they are talking about E15 coming soon. That crap CANNOT be used in anything older than 2001. If that becomes mandatory, I have no idea what people are going to do with classic cars like myself (the PPV is the only car I own newer than 2001). I ran E85 in my PPV once. Never again.

(sorry, didn't mean to get into an ethanol bash either, but I couldn't resist)
Tom (AKA: Storm)
2011 Caprice 9C3: L77, 8K miles, first-owner, purchased July 2011.
1995 Caprice 9C1: LT1, 178K miles, summer car.
1995 Impala SS: LT1, 21K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 62K miles.
1995 Caprice Wagon: LT1, 128K miles. Rust In Pieces
1994 Caprice 9C1: LT1, beater winter car.
1969 Chevy C30: 383ci stroker, 4L80E, rollback car hauler.
1972 Chrysler Newport: 400ci big block, survivor 27K miles, 2-door hardtop.
1969 Dodge Charger: 383ci big block.
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bkwagonss
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Re: AEM CAI pipe

Post by bkwagonss »

My best gas mileage before the intake and exhaust and wheels was 24 on the highway/14.5 around town.
I always use regular gas.
The trip down to the Nationals was pretty hectic.
We had 3 car together and you can hardly use the cruise control.
On the way back we went through Skyline Drive, up and down 35mph hilly roads.
I thought it would do better with slower speeds, but with all the hills it didn't.
Not a big deal, it's not that much different.
2011 Caprice PPV 9C3 "karma"
2003 Silverado
1950 Chevy Fleetline
2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid (wife's car)
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