K&N Filters

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Unless you are doing some weekend fun runs, or have a turbo car save your pennies. Most CAI, or as most should be called WAI (warm air intake) are only good for a few decibels of extra noise. They can also be good for some quicker throttle response, but unless you are going for a tune to actually adjust the way the pedal reacts with the servos on the throttle body you will not see a huge difference.

That's what I was wondering about just replacing the air filter; or the air intake tube. In stock trim, from a dead stop, I can mat the loud pedal and it's like I'm driving up a 90% grade. (Non-turbo, obviously) I figured a less restrictive air filter would improve that, even just a little bit. Maybe it's just an inherent characteristic of the 'Eco' 1.8L motor. :shrug:

 

[blazinlow89]

That's what I was wondering about just replacing the air filter; or the air intake tube. In stock trim, from a dead stop, I can mat the loud pedal and it's like I'm driving up a 90% grade. (Non-turbo, obviously) I figured a less restrictive air filter would improve that, even just a little bit. Maybe it's just an inherent characteristic of the 'Eco' 1.8L motor. :shrug:

Most new vehicles have a drive by wire throttle body which is controlled by the PCM/ECU. Torque management plays a lot in hindering good throttle response. Stock the throttle plate tends to move in a lazy motion. With torque management removed or altered it tends to act like an old cable driven throttle body. Check out videos on YouTube of the trailblazer with a PCM4less tune, vs stock tune. I will try and find the video later, not easy on a phone.

Keep in mind the numbers that K&N list are peak power gains. Look at the torque curve for gains in 2500-4000rpm range. This is the power band you will most likely be in during normal driving. They usually post gains in the 4500+ range, an area you rarely venture into. I see a lot that tens to show losses across the entire rpm range, the increase is in the high range.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Most new vehicles have a drive by wire throttle body which is controlled by the PCM/ECU. Torque management plays a lot in hindering good throttle response. Stock the throttle plate tends to move in a lazy motion. With torque management removed or altered it tends to act like an old cable driven throttle body. Check out videos on YouTube of the trailblazer with a PCM4less tune, vs stock tune. I will try and find the video later, not easy on a phone.

Keep in mind the numbers that K&N list are peak power gains. Look at the torque curve for gains in 2500-4000rpm range. This is the power band you will most likely be in during normal driving. They usually post gains in the 4500+ range, an area you rarely venture into. I see a lot that tens to show losses across the entire rpm range, the increase is in the high range.

Low end torque is what I'm hopelessly looking for. At speed in sixth gear, that thing will scoot right along. It's the 'from a dead stop' that's the problem.

 

[John Z]

Low end torque is what I'm hopelessly looking for. At speed in sixth gear, that thing will scoot right along. It's the 'from a dead stop' that's the problem.

I'm glad I got the 1.4T instead of the 1.8. I have heard similar torque complaint from 1.8 drivers, and they get worse mileage too. Perhaps more reliable in the long run, due to not having a turbo....

 

[bcp]

Most new vehicles have a drive by wire throttle body which is controlled by the PCM/ECU. Torque management plays a lot in hindering good throttle response. Stock the throttle plate tends to move in a lazy motion. With torque management removed or altered it tends to act like an old cable driven throttle body. Check out videos on YouTube of the trailblazer with a PCM4less tune, vs stock tune. I will try and find the video later, not easy on a phone.

Keep in mind the numbers that K&N list are peak power gains. Look at the torque curve for gains in 2500-4000rpm range. This is the power band you will most likely be in during normal driving. They usually post gains in the 4500+ range, an area you rarely venture into. I see a lot that tens to show losses across the entire rpm range, the increase is in the high range.

I keep looking at the numbers everyone is posting and have to remember gas/Diesel.
I almost never see anything above 15 to 1700 rpm,
and for some reason, I cant find the throttle position sensor upgrade for diesel. Maybe they know something I dont?

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

I'm glad I got the 1.4T instead of the 1.8. I have heard similar torque complaint from 1.8 drivers, and they get worse mileage too. Perhaps more reliable in the long run, due to not having a turbo....

The reliability is nice to be able to count on. Yeah, it might take "a week" to get moving from a stoplight, but if you're in THAT big a hurry; if I'm holdin' you up, just go r'ound. :shrug:

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

I'm glad I got the 1.4T instead of the 1.8. I have heard similar torque complaint from 1.8 drivers, and they get worse mileage too. Perhaps more reliable in the long run, due to not having a turbo....

You don't necessarily need 6th gear driving in and around town. That's better suited for 70 and up on the beltway.
I have noticed that for the stop-n-go traffic we usually have here, 4th.....maybe 5th gear nets better MPG numbers.

 

[bcp]

You don't necessarily need 6th gear driving in and around town. That's better suited for 70 and up on the beltway.
I have noticed that for the stop-n-go traffic we usually have here, 4th.....maybe 5th gear nets better MPG numbers.

loving this information on the cruze, Im thinking that for the daughters when ever I get around to buying it, the 1.4 might be the better option?
on the other hand, slower is better when it comes to new drivers..

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

loving this information on the cruze, Im thinking that for the daughters when ever I get around to buying it, the 1.4 might be the better option? on the other hand, slower is better when it comes to new drivers..

I think the '13's or the 14's now have diesel engines and come standard with an auto trans. Have you found out if either of those is true?

Edit: The diesel is one engine option.

 

[John Z]

I think the '13's or the 14's now have diesel engines and come standard with an auto trans. Have you found out if either of those is true?

Edit: The diesel is one engine option.

I haven't driven the 1.8-powered Cruze, but I immediately was interested in the combination of torque and gas mileage that the 1.4T-powered models offered. The Eco with the manual transmission was a no-braier to me. I think the 1.8 folks are not getting nearly as good mileage from their cars. The 1.8 only comes on the entry-level LS model if memory serves. Hard to pass up the good price of the LS, so I understand people buying that version.

On the diesel, it is supposedly going to be offered at the beginning of the MY2014 vehicles, so expect it this fall. I think it will be available with manual or automatic. The Chevy website is projecting an EPA hwy mpg of 46, which is pretty promising. But like the TDI versions of Volkswagen products, the Cruze diesel will be seen as a bit of a premium product instead of a strictly ecomony-based model. The cost of putting a diesel in a vehicle, like on y'alls pick-em-up trucks, increases the price of the vehicle. So expect to see a diesel Cruze priced at no less than $23K. Just like the TDI Golf and Jetta.

If you are making a strict cost analysis, it should take significant time to pay off the increased purchase price on the diesel model. On top of the vehicle price premium, you have a bit of a fuel price issue with diesel. My Eco runs on 87.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

The 1.8 only comes on the entry-level LS model if memory serves. Hard to pass up the good price of the LS, so I understand people buying that version.

That's what I got, last May. It's reliable transportation; and the topper.....it's new. I think I just broke 6K miles within the past month.

My Eco runs on 87.

I think all models but the diesel run on 87. Go figure that, huh?

IMO, a turbo powered car for a first-time driver is a bad thing. If you're set to get a Cruze for a first-time driver; from a safety standpoint, they're pretty loaded, airbagly speaking. They have hands free calling capability; "infotainment system;" well I'm sure you've read the specs.

 

[glhs837]

That's what I got, last May. It's reliable transportation; and the topper.....it's new. I think I just broke 6K miles within the past month.


I think all models but the diesel run on 87. Go figure that, huh?

IMO, a turbo powered car for a first-time driver is a bad thing. If you're set to get a Cruze for a first-time driver; from a safety standpoint, they're pretty loaded, airbagly speaking. They have hands free calling capability; "infotainment system;" well I'm sure you've read the specs.

I dont agree, I dont think giving a new driver say a Viper is a good idea, but turbo doesn't mean "Set ludicrous speed" automatically 138-horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque from 1,850 rpm isnt enough to put your eyeballs out of joint. That torque is the key to why it feels faster. And a new driver, IMHO, should enjoy driving enough to stay engaged. One reason I think new drivers should be given manual transmissions.

An interested and engaged driver is better for everyone than a bored driver who turns to infotainment and texting to stay engaged

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

I dont agree, I dont think giving a new driver say a Viper is a good idea, but turbo doesn't mean "Set ludicrous speed" automatically 138-horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque from 1,850 rpm isnt enough to put your eyeballs out of joint. That torque is the key to why it feels faster. And a new driver, IMHO, should enjoy driving enough to stay engaged. One reason I think new drivers should be given manual transmissions.

An interested and engaged driver is better for everyone than a bored driver who turns to infotainment and texting to stay engaged

Agreed.

 

[John Z]

Agreed.

Yeah, you can't get into any more trouble with a 1.4T-powered Cruze than a 1.8-powered Cruze. They are both fairly slow. Our Subaru Legacy GT is much quicker, but it does have 112 hp more.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

K&N sells a few kinds, some of which replace the entire intake pipe with a new setup. Drop in filters like you are talking about, not sure if those need it or not, but I know the whole systems do.

Through K&N: $56.99 Plus S&H I'm sure Through Advance Auto: $59.99
Through AutoZone: $49.34***
For just the panel filter!

If I'm gonna spend $50-$60 on a filter; not knowing wether or not it'll make a difference, I might as well just get the whole intake tube assembly. :shrug:
$291.85 thru K&N $291.99 thru Advance Auto (Plus our dreaded State Tax)
$291.99 thru AutoZone Same @ Advance Auto
Meh....$300(+-) for something that prob'ly works better. Yup, that last option; that's what I'm gonna do.....eventually.....
Some would call it "tinkerin'." Some would liken it to 'putting a drag motor on a lawn mower.' :shrug:

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Yeah, you can't get into any more trouble with a 1.4T-powered Cruze than a 1.8-powered Cruze. They are both fairly slow. Our Subaru Legacy GT is much quicker, but it does have 112 hp more.

But again, if most of your driving is 'in and around'; like 'round here; ya don't need a 10-second car. I don't; though I'd like to have one.

I had my brand new '92 2.0T road rocket when I was 22.
Kept it for something like 6 years.....til I totaled it.

 

[John Z]

...brand new '92 2.0T road rocket...

This is fun. What car in 1992 had a 2.0T?

Was it one of the DSM cars? Eclipse/Talon/Laser?

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

This is fun. What car in 1992 had a 2.0T?

Was it one of the DSM cars? Eclipse/Talon/Laser?

'92 "Plymouth Laser RS" 2 dr coupe. 5 speed man. trans, 2.0 Turbo AWD. Basically an Eagle Talon/Mitsubishi Eclipse, sold by Daimler Chrysler.
This thing was BAD A**!

 

[bcp]

That's what I got, last May. It's reliable transportation; and the topper.....it's new. I think I just broke 6K miles within the past month.


I think all models but the diesel run on 87. Go figure that, huh?

IMO, a turbo powered car for a first-time driver is a bad thing. If you're set to get a Cruze for a first-time driver; from a safety standpoint, they're pretty loaded, airbagly speaking. They have hands free calling capability; "infotainment system;" well I'm sure you've read the specs.

my daughter has never driven anything without a turbo.
actually, she is now in the driving part of drivers ed after holding the learners for over a year, and the DE car is the first she has driven without turbo.

 

[floydfan]

OP, it's your money. Don't expect to gain the type of horsepower increase they Manufacturer's website claims but you will feel a difference. Also the engine will be noisier on acceleration. If there was no market for cold air intakes on a 4 cylinder Cruz, K&N certainly wouldn't be making one.

Floydfan