BASIC INDUCTION
The best way to put induction in the proper perspective is the phrase, "you can't get it out if you can't let it in". After an exhaust has been installed, weather muffler only or headders back, the next thing to address is the path air takes as it comes into the engine. On a major note: people with better exhausts will (headders back) will benifit the most from this area of improvement.
Air Filters
This is the area where air first enters into an engine component. So lets start here. There are many manufacturers that make high flow air filters some are: Hypertech, K&N, Accel, Moroso, and TPI. The filters these manufacturers make differ from conventional filters because they trap dirt in various layers in the filtration element, thus air is allowed to go through even when the filter is dirty. Low flow air filters only have a top layer trapping dirt and when it gets dirty air can not pass without restriction, slowing the air down. Another difference is that the elents used in high flow air filters is low in resistance and air can flow significantly more freely than when compared to paper. These filters can be bought either to fit the stock air box (where the air filter is located) or as part of a high flow system that eliminates the air box with a better flowing air box. An increase of 5-7 horses may be realized by putting a high flow air filter in your car.
High Flow Cold Induction / Systems
1993-97 High Flow System
Even more effective than a filter alone is the Induction system. These systems often eliminate restrictions* and air silencers* that may block the flow of incoming air and pick up cold air outside the engine compartment. For example: the Moroso high flow induction is comprised of a 1. large cone high flow filter 2. a coposite elbow that is used as the tubing that conects the air filter to the throttlebody 3. mounting hardware. This system eliminates the restrictive air pick up location of 93-97 camaros. Who has seen that tiny air filter ?(size of a small paperback book) and not only that but the place where air comes in is practicaly blocked off from the rushing clean air!. Anyways, the filter will pick up air from underneath the car in a high pressure area and there will not be the need for cutting as this hole already exists in the engine compartment, ingeniuos!. These systems can give up to 15-20 horses. The induction systems that I recommend are Moroso, SLP, and Callaway.
For 1998 camaros. The story is the same but the systems modify the lid that sits on top of the air cleaner and eliminate the air silencers after it. Whisper, MTI motorsports, SLP and RK sport all make these and include air filters. I have seen a solid 12 horses from our whisper induction on our 3800 V6. The 98 SS LS1 has seen the same output.
1998-present high flow air box from RKsports
* Restrictions are a component of the design of air filter boxes. It is common knwoledge that these were designed to cork up horse power in the Z28 because chevy did not want power figures to be near their flagship car, the corvette. The V6 is a casualty of association. In other words, its easier for chevy to outfit this car with the restrictive box from a Z28 (they share platforms) than design one specifically for this car.
*Silencers are a component for wimps! Chevy has guide lines as to how obtrusive the sound of the engine is in the driver's cabin. As a result, plastic mufflers are attached to slow the incoming air (because it bellows as it rushes in). This results in a robbery of horsepower that should be there in the first place. Both the V6 and V8 engines are outfitted with these.
What Do Experts Say?
Jon Moss a Chevrolet special vehicle engineer reported in the 1996 November issue of Motor Trend (p.120) that "with the right induction system, the 96 car (LT1) is capable of 305 horsepower (as in SLP's Camaro Z28 SS), while a 2.75 or 3.00 inch throughpipe muffler will boost that to 315". This is exactly what I'm talking about! This theory can be generalized to V6 and LS1 camaros without much explanation. A 97 camaro with dual converters will even see more of an improvement!
