Do you need a cold air intake system? Yes and no.
It all depends on the purpose of your car.
If you use your Camaro SS for street racing, installing a cold air intake system makes sense because it increases horsepower.
But if you use your car for daily activities like going to work or shopping, it’s not a good idea since cold air intake systems consume a lot of fuel.
If you decide to buy a cold air intake system, the biggest advantage it can give you is to boost your horsepower. As a result, improve your acceleration and overall performance.
But how do you know what cold air intake system suits your car? We have reviewed 3 of the best cold air intakes for a 2016 Camaro SS.
There are more available out there, you just need to do some research to find the ones that have positive user feedback.
- Better Towing
- Improved Engine Sound
- Protection From Harmful Contaminants
- Official Air Filter of NASCAR
We’ve tested 3 cold air intakes for 2016 Camaro SS and the winner is above!
Cold Air Intakes for 2016 Camaro SS Comparison Chart
| Char | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo |
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| Air Filter Height / Air Filter Large End Diameter | 6.5 in (165 mm) 7.5 in (191 mm) | 7 in (178 mm) 7.281 in (185 mm) | 7.5 in (191 mm) 7.5 in (191 mm) |
| Clamp Material / Air Filter Material | Stainless Steel / | Stainless Steel / | Stainless Steel / |
| Intake Pipe Material | High-Density Cross-Linked Polyethylene | Aluminum | Cross-Linked Polyethylene |
3 Best Cold Air Intakes for 2016 Camaro SS (as of September, 2024):
1. K&N Engineering 63-3074 Cold Air Intake for 2016 Camaro SS Review
K&N has been in the business of making cold air intake systems for decades.
And as you would expect, the quality of their products is almost unmatched.
So if you want a cold air intake for your Camaro SS, the company has different models you can choose from, some of which are affordable and others, not so much.
Moving on, the K&N Engineering 63-3074 model is a dyno-tested cold air unit that draws in 50% more cold air into the engine than a factory unit. And this because of the way the unit is designed.
The filter is larger than what you find in the factory cold air intake to allow more air to flow in. And it is made of tiny oiled cotton fibers to help protect your engine from debris and other contaminants.
So this model can boost your horsepower by a significantly high percentage greatly improving the performance of your car. It also produces a great growl sound, which if you are a race driver, you’ll appreciate.
It is easy to install and you only need a few tools like a screwdriver and pliers for the installation. The process is also not time consuming.
Main Features
- Guaranteed Increase In Horsepower
- Better Towing
- Improved Engine Sound
- Protection From Harmful Contaminants
- No Filter Cleaning Required For Up To 100,000 Miles
- Easy To Install With Basic Hand Tools
- Dyno Tested
- Official Air Filter of NASCAR
- 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty
- Large filter design to allow more cold air in
- Oiled cotton fiber filter to catch debris
- Easy to install
- Dyno-tested to ensure a boost in horsepower and acceleration
- Great growl sound
- Easy to maintain
- Heat shield has many gaps that allow hot air in
2. Spectre Performance SPE-9908 Cold Air Intake For Camaro SS Review
The Spectre Performance SPE-9908 cold air intake unit is dyno-tested to ensure that it increases your engine power.
It has a large-sized filter to allow more cold air to flow in, which as a result boosts horsepower, improves throttle response, and increases acceleration.
The filtration system is designed with materials that protect the engine from dirt and other contaminants.
The system does not have a complicated design and this to make it easy to install. And also, you don’t need to modify your car to install the unit.
Main Features
- Designed To Increase Horsepower & Torque
- Better Towing
- Improved Engine Sound
- Protection From Harmful Contaminants & Debris
- Advanced Oiled Synthetic Filter Design
- No Filter Cleaning Required For Up To 100,000 Miles
- Easy To Install With Basic Hand Tools
- Dyno Tested
- Will Not Void Vehicle Warranty
- Dyno-tested to guarantee engine power boost
- Increases torque and acceleration
- Made of durable materials
- Filter is made of material that catches debris and dirt
- Easy to install
- Improve engine sound
- Affordable
- Fits a limited number of car makes and models
3. Flowmaster 615102 Cold Air Intake For Camaro SS Review
This Flowmaster 615102 Delta Force cold air intake unit is designed specifically to fit Camaro SS models.
It features an 8-layer cotton fiber filter which protects the engine from dirt and debris.
The filter is large in size and that is to allow more cold air to enter the engine improving acceleration and boosting the horsepower.
The filter washable. You don’t need to wash it regularly, but you can choose to if you want. The process is simple, you only need to detach the filter and then wash it with soap and water. But make sure it is completely dry before reinstalling.
The Flowmaster air box comes with silicone and stainless steel parts to ensure sturdiness and durability. And it has a powder-coated heat shield to prevent hot air from flowing into the engine.
The design of the air box makes it easy to install. No drilling or any other modifications are needed. And you only need basic tools for the installation.
Main Features
- High-Flow 8 Panel Cotton Gauze Filter
- Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) High-Flow Intake Tube
- Serviceable with our Delta Force Cleaning Kit
- High Quality Components With Custom Look
- No Cutting or Drilling For Easy Installation
- Power Gains of Up to 6% HP & TQ
- Includes Stainless Steel Hardware
- Black Anodized Aluminum Fittings
- No Special Tuning Required
- Easy To Install With Basic Hand Tools
- Lifetime Limited Warranty
- Large filter to allow more cold air into the engine
- Made of durable and sturdy parts
- Extra filter to capture excess dirt and debris
- Easy installation
- Powder-coated heat shield to prevent hot air from reaching the engine
- Increases acceleration and boosts horsepower
- Decently priced
- Designed for Camaro SS models only
Buyer’s Guide
How to Choose a Cold Air Intake
Selecting a cold air intake system may be a bit tricky for a driver who has never bought one. But it’s not that hard. What you need to know is that like any other car part, there are a number of things to consider before making a purchase.
Cold air intake systems vary in design and size. Some are designed for trucks and vans, and others for performance cars. There is no cold air intake system that is designed to fit all types of cars.
For a Camaro SS, there are many available models you can choose from, but before you do, here are some factors you need to consider.
Compatibility
You can’t just buy any cold air intake, you need to first check whether it fits your car. Check to see manufacturer’s details on the types, makes, years, models and engines of cars the system is designed to fit.
Thermal Barrier
Cold air intake systems take in cold air, which is more dense so as to boost engine power. But if the cold air is not shielded from thermal contamination, your engine may not gain much power.
So you need to get a system that is made from a heat resistant material like carbon fiber. Alternatively, you may get a system that has thermal barrier coating like ceramic and zirconium.
Oil Filter Element
The main issue is that after some time, a buildup of tiny oil particles may occur causing the airflow meter to malfunction or fail. So get a dry filter element instead to escape such problems in the long run.
Water Ingestion
If you live in an area where it rains a lot, you need to get a cold air intake unit that does not let in water. If the unit pulls air from the fender or the underside of your bumper, then you could have a water ingestion issue.
And this issue can cause your cold air intake unit to function improperly or to cease functioning. So to avoid this problem, check to see if the unit has a valve that is specifically designed to prevent water from being ingested.
Reasons to Buy a Cold Air Intake System
If you want to boost your engine power, you can do that by installing a cold air intake system. It’s one of the most affordable ways to increase horsepower. Plus cold air intakes are easy to install.
Via: @rotofab
Your car already comes fitted with a factory cold air intake unit. And usually, the factory units don’t work too well. So you may find that could be the reason your car doesn’t perform optimally.
Installing a cold air intake system allows the engine to work more optimally. Because the system draws in cold air, which is denser and has more oxygen, into the engine’s combustion unit, thereby increasing the engine power.
Pros and Cons of Cold Air Intake Units
Pros
- Prolonged engine life – Engines are expensive. So if there was a way you could increase the lifespan of your engine, you would want to find out how you can do it. And one of the cheapest and easiest ways you can do that is by installing a cold air intake unit.
- Engine power gains – One of the biggest advantages of cold air intake units is that they boost engine power. And this due to their ability to draw in cold air, which helps increase horsepower.
- Increased acceleration – An engine becomes more responsive when cold air flows through it. So if you want speedy acceleration, consider installing a cold air intake unit.
- Improved gas mileage – An engine’s internal combustion burns fuel to produce horsepower. And this process can not happen without adequate oxygen. Without enough oxygen, the combustion needs to burn more fuel to produce adequate power to get your car moving. But with a cold air system, the air to fuel ratio is ideal to boost your horsepower and improve your fuel economy.
- Cut costs on filters – Cold air intake systems use air filters that don’t need replacing after 30,000 miles. You only need to clean them and place them back. They are easy to clean. You don’t need any special cleaner or tools to clean them. And you don’t need to spend hours to get them clean no matter the amount of dirt and debris they have on them.
Cons
- Hydro-locking – When moisture enters an engine, it may cause damage. This is what is referred to as hydro-locking. And it can occur when you drive through standing water or floods.
- Meter readings – When you don’t upgrade your car’s meter after installing a cold air intake, your engine may get inaccurate readings. And as a result, this may lead to inaccurate air/fuel ratio measurements, which may cause your engine to cease functioning.
- Regular maintenance of filters – One of the biggest headaches with cold air intake systems is that the filters need regular cleaning for the unit to continue functioning optimally.
- Additional costs – When you install a cold air intake unit, you may need to make further modifications to your car like getting a new meter. Unless you are an expert mechanic, you will need to get a dealer to make this changes for you and that can be costly.
Via: @motorochile
Signs and Symptoms of a Bad Cold Air Intake System
Here are the signs and symptoms that indicate you need to install a new cold air intake unity.
- Decreased engine performance – if the cold air intake unit is damaged or clogged with dirt or debris, it reduces air flow to the engine. As a result, horsepower reduces, acceleration decreases and you can completely forget about fuel economy.
- Check engine light comes on – there are varying reasons your check engine light can come on. And one of the reasons could be a bad cold air intake system.
Conclusion
When you decide that it’s time to get rid of your old factory cold air intake unit for a new and more advanced unit, make sure you get one that fits your car. Do your due diligence to avoid wasting time and money.
Some cold air intakes are more expensive than others. It’s really up to you how much you want to spend on a unit. What you ought to know is that you might need to do some modifications or upgrade some car parts when you install the unit.
So you must be prepared to spend a little more.
Other than that, installing an air box can boost your engine power and torque, increase your acceleration, improve gas mileage, and help you save on fuel.
