What is the best intake to buy looking for a cold air box intake for my 2010 Lt Tahoe 4x4

[Esemaico91]

Really looking to build up the 5.3 a bit looking to add long tube headers a cam and xpipes with a tune eventually just got the truck to 100% health no issues at all atm

 

[PG01]

None of them, your airbox is perfectly fine. If you want more air or s tiny bit of growl(minuscule sound) get a drop in k&N filter that fits factory box or similar (dry type because you'll mess up the MAF sensor with the oiled type) and try to find an straight intake tube without the baffles or modify your oem.
All the open ‘cold air intakes’ are not quite ‘cold’ they are open to the heat and dirt from the engine bay, defeating the ‘cold intake’ claim. The factory box draws air from outside the engine bay for a ‘truer’ cold air intake…. My 2 cents

 

[B-train]

Agreed with @PG01 100%. Anything aftermarket is not designed and tested as the OEM stuff is. That intake will flow more than enough air, and pull it from a cool fender area instead of from under the hood behind the hot radiator.

Some of what you shared will do the same thing as OEM, persay, but it's not going to reinvent the wheel by any means. They just look prettier than the stock one.

The only thing those do, IMO, is add some shiny HP (perceived) under the hood.

 

[alpha_omega]

One caveat to what the other have already said would be to ensure you have good airflow from the front end into the factory box.
I am happy with my AirAid filter (non-oiled as mentioned). I did replace the front baffles to ensure proper airflow and I have seen others whom have opened the baffles on the fender wall next to the box, which then allows more outside air into the box. This is done a much better idea than having an open box (like the photos you posted) that would be sucking hot air from the engine.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

I don't know what your specific stock intake looks like, but if it is pulling air from the fender well like my 6.2 does, then you really can't improve upon it with aftermarket air box kits. If your stock intake system has the spaghetti-like air baffles on it for noise reduction, you can clean all that up with an AirRaid MIT, which is a simple polished intake tube connecting your stock air box to the motor's intake that cleans up the top of the motor and adds a small growl to the intake sound.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Really looking to build up the 5.3L a bit. looking to add long tube headers a cam and xpipes with a tune eventually. just got the truck to 100% health no issues at all atm

Cold air intakes are not worth much horsepower, and you only get those after 5200RpM.
Most of the time, you're under 3500RpM, where it MIGHT make pleasant noises? How does she feel about the noises?

Same goes for long tube headers and a true-dual exhaust and a cam, except those ARE good value for the money, even if she whines about the noises.

Best bangs for the buck are an ecm AND tcm tune, done to suit your tastes, and an axleS upgrade - I suggest 3.42 or 3.73.
AxleS upgrade is the only one that might not cost any MpGs and will likely help your transmission last longer.

 

[swathdiver]

Really looking to build up the 5.3 a bit looking to add long tube headers a cam and xpipes with a tune eventually just got the truck to 100% health no issues at all atm

If you plan on making over 350 rear wheel horsepower, Volant/Corsa. Already picked out the Volant for my 6.2 truck but haven't gotten around to getting it yet.

 

[j91z28d1]

If you plan on making over 350 rear wheel horsepower, Volant/Corsa. Already picked out the Volant for my 6.2 truck but haven't gotten around to getting it yet.

that's the one I want. every time I'm close there's always something else to spend money on instead. but then again I remind myself I have a 6.0 hybrid, with the same air box/filter setup feeding a 6.2 without killing power much. plus it's seen wot maybe 3 times since I got it.

 

[swathdiver]

that's the one I want. every time I'm close there's always something else to spend money on instead. but then again I remind myself I have a 6.0 hybrid, with the same air box/filter setup feeding a 6.2 without killing power much. plus it's seen wot maybe 3 times since I got it.

Same here, still have to tune it with BlackBear too. Justin did the other two so far. It's always working and racking up the miles, already time to change the drive line fluids again. Maybe in the fall or winter finally.

 

[Charlie207]

If you plan on making over 350 rear wheel horsepower, Volant/Corsa. Already picked out the Volant for my 6.2 truck but haven't gotten around to getting it yet.

OP has a 5.3 engine. Blackbear told me that the OEM intake on my old 5.3 would flow more than the engine could overcome with any amount of tuning. I installed a CAI, and swapped back; they were right.

 

[swathdiver]

OP has a 5.3 engine. Blackbear told me that the OEM intake on my old 5.3 would flow more than the engine could overcome with any amount of tuning. I installed a CAI, and swapped back; they were right.

My caveat was that horsepower figure. If the OP wants to make more than 350 at the wheels, the better CAI will be of benefit.

 

[houstontaylor]

I briefly tried a cold air intake system when my original air intake started leaking due to age. There was no improvement in power but it was very much more noisy since it did not have the resonator box that the original had to dampen out that noise. Eventually I found an air intake that was more like the original with a resonator and the quiet returned. I think the replacement was for a newer year Tahoe that still fit my 2003 version.

 

[Charlie207]

I briefly tried a cold air intake system when my original air intake started leaking due to age. There was no improvement in power but it was very much more noisy since it did not have the resonator box that the original had to dampen out that noise. Eventually I found an air intake that was more like the original with a resonator and the quiet returned. I think the replacement was for a newer year Tahoe that still fit my 2003 version.

Yeah, as I've been experimenting with mufflers on my cat.-back exhaust setup I've noticed that removing the factory intake tube, and swapping with an aftermarket pipe greatly increases the drone noise in the cabin.

 

[TxVet33]

Really looking to build up the 5.3 a bit looking to add long tube headers a cam and xpipes with a tune eventually just got the truck to 100% health no issues at all atm

All who answered this post are 100% correct, BUT, I'll actually answer the question....
The people who answered this post are smart experienced people with lots more knowledge than me....
Personally I purchased a Spectre, PN 9006, for my 2019 Yukon XL, I like the noise {which is only noticeable when I DON'T drive like gramps.... AND I use the Oiled filter. I've been running it since 12/2020 with no issues. I live in a dusty Abilene, TX so I clean/reoil it every 5-6 months.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... purchased a Spectre, PN 9006, for my 2019 Yukon XL ... AND I use the Oiled filter ... with no issues ... in dusty Abilene, TX ...

Ever consider a prefilter, like desert racers use, or even some pantyhose?

 

[swathdiver]

All who answered this post are 100% correct, BUT, I'll actually answer the question....
The people who answered this post are smart experienced people with lots more knowledge than me....
Personally I purchased a Spectre, PN 9006, for my 2019 Yukon XL, I like the noise {which is only noticeable when I DON'T drive like gramps.... AND I use the Oiled filter. I've been running it since 12/2020 with no issues. I live in a dusty Abilene, TX so I clean/reoil it every 5-6 months.

That's an HAI system, HOT Air Intake.

Have you measured inlet air temps while idling and at speed?

 

[91RS]

Waste of money unless you have engine modifications requiring more airflow.

 

[Charlie207]

Mods should create a Performance - Sticky so we can add relevant info about the same questions always asked.

 

[mikefdny]

My 2 Cents, I installed the Volant in my 5.3L 2007 Yukon a week after taking delivery. The air intake is from below the passenger side front tire well. Never had any problems.

 

[TxVet33]

Ever consider a prefilter, like desert racers use, or even some pantyhose?

Nope. Filter seems to work fine. The noise everyone is bitching about takes me back to my 283 ‘64 Chevelle in high school. I worked on military helicopter weapon/flight control systems my entire adult life. I can hear any dam way. “)