KrisTheNinja

First off hello.

I am planning on doing the Stage 2 upgrade and exhaust on my 06 SS/SC and I will have enough money to buy either the Heat Exchanger or CAI. My question is which is more vital?

My understanding is this:

The intake is better for HP increase (More air for compression) , sound and appearance, but the Heat Exchanger is more valuable to the engine because it helps cool the air way down.

Also, would the Air Box mod be sufficient for the Stage 2 upgrade? I don't care about sound and appearance right now, more performance and reliability.



Thanks in advance

joey26lil

do the airbox mod and buy the h/e .. u wont regret it

07cobaltss

stage 2 is fine with the stock he, get an intake

IMHO air box mod = ghetto, do it right... get an intake.
btw... injen ftmfw

LopsidedJester

heat exchanger will probably help your car out more, airbox mod or aftermarket filter is good enough for the stock intake. I've actually heard of people losing power from aftermarket intakes.

Sergio

Air box mod (don't cut it, just unscrew the lower half) + K&N Drop in filter is better than any intake you can get. If you want, you can also grab some thermal insulation/reflector stuff from the hardware store and wrap up your intake above the fender. You'll enjoy the coolest air with no CELs.

All those nice, shiny intakes are actually worse for heat soak when compared to the stocker. They are made of Aluminum which is the third best conductor of heat following silver and copper. So, who the hell would want all the heat in your engine bay being conducted through your "cold" air intake and passed on to the air charge.

Of course everyone who dropped money on a CAI will disagree because if they payed for it, it must be better.

Oh as to further proof, the Time Attack Cobalt which slaughtered it's competition runs the stock piping with thermal wrapping.

ralliartist

lol, ghetto. For his setup, an intake won't even do anything anyway. The stock intake has been proven to be best for mildly modded cars anyway. I'd say go with the h/e. Just do the air box mod and put a good filter in.

zsk8er16

I say h/e and air box mod, just do as Sergio said and don't cut it, just leave the bottom half off.

KrisTheNinja

Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it. It seems like CAI on a mildly modded, supercharged (Forced Air Induction) vehicle is a little redundant. Just my opinon... they do look nice though.

I'll keep you updated on the progress and results.

P.S. The Time Attack Cobalt is my Hero...

TommySSSC

a heat exchanger will just maintain maximum hp output and keeps your engine at safe levels. the air box mod is plenty good enough, ive benn running with it since i got my ss but i just got a injen cold air for dirt dirt dirt cheap from my friend so of course i took it, only reason i would get an intake was for show and shine in the engine compartment. a h/e really isnt neccesary with just stage 2, but of course it wouldnt hurt. i now have 60s and a 2.6 so i had to get another front mounted h/e. on the other hand i got a k&n silver sticker made and i put it on the stock intake piping before, its something to look at and everyone thought it was a k&n intake anyway well cobaltss members knows it means drop-in