Hey guys. first post. Just purchased an '05 Monte SS Supercharged. Love the car so far, but have a question about the air intake.

Whoever owned the car previously installed a K&N open element air filter. Normally, I like the K&N's, but on this particular car it sounds like ***. Upon startup, when the engine is cold, it literally sounds like a bad serpentine belt tensioner it's so loud. When it warms up, the sound is much quieter, but I live in a very cold climate, so it's pretty much all the time.
My question is: Is the OEM airbox the same as the non-supercharged models? If so, I want to swap it out. If not, what's the difference? Thanks!

 

Nukeman... I also own a 05 SS Supercharged. It is pure stock right now.
The previous owner put a FRAM paper filter in it. There is No Noise at all
when I start up. The only time that I might hear something of a roar is when
I get on it pretty good. There are several MC owners on this forum that
will be able to tell you what you should expect from any aftermarket add on.
But from I've learned so far; the extra noise that you are hearing is just the
extra amount of air that is being deivered to the S/C or throttle body
( non S/C models). I might be wrong however. Most of the peole on here
don't like K & N.
WIZAIRED seems to be the popular typw of CAI units.

 

The problem with K&N filters is the fact that while they allow more airflow, they also allow more stuff past them. Also the oil tends to foul out MAF sensors. Unless you are getting a CAI, you are better off with a good quality paper element (not FRAM).

 

the CAI will make more noise because it is getting more air, toss the K&N and get a nice CAI from here http://www.coldairinductions.com/!!!

 

If he's talking about the loud vacuum cleaner kindof noise at startup and such, I would imagine any type of cold air intake will have the noise to some extent. Obviously the K&N will be the loudest along with kind of HAI/short ram- but the other boxes will still be audible due to not having been designed to silence that noise.

I'm not sure if your OEM airbox is the same or not. Keep in mind, you will lose the supercharger whine sound at wOT also.

 

Yeap, that's the noise. Sounds like a 1979 Kirby Vacuum.

Is the 3.8L Supercharged Airbox the same as the non-SC model?

 

yes the box should be the same. go with AEM filter never have to reoil. btw i have 04 s/c box looking to sell if you interest.

 

If you were looking for a couple of extra ponies I'd say learn to live with it. Chevy made their cars for people who are like you in that they want a quiet ride. So they made the intakes and exhaust as quiet as possible but this does make a slight limitation on the horsepower and mpg's. They also set the transmissions up so that they shift smoothly, which makes them shift slower in reality. Little things like that...

 

Roughy 99-03 GTP airbox will also work. My airbox is from a GTP and my stock one went to my friend with a Regal. Pretty much any L67 airbox can be swapped out. (97 and 98 GTP might be different do to those being years that they changed stuff)