Air Intake on 2008 Grand Prix, 3.8L

[Asinity]

I've been considering getting an intake for my '08 Grand Prix. Where I have looked state that they are for '04+ models, but I know the '08 has a MAF sensor which I don't know if it will cause problems. I'd like the K&N, but it says it is for 04-05. On PFYC.com, they say that somebody with an '06 installed it without problems.

Anyone know where a good place to look would be?

[MrCritical]

See if the K and N has a "help" button or phone number.

[GMfan1111]

Originally Posted by MrCritical

See if the K and N has a "help" button or phone number.

they do if you google K&N and go to their website on the first page in the upper right of the screen click the "contact K&N link". I'm sure you can fit it in with no problems but usually an intake is more common on the GP's supercharged variant and any other cars that have the L67 engine and I personally have not heard of too many folks that fit an intake to the base 3.8

[dav305z]

Originally Posted by Asinity

I've been considering getting an intake for my '08 Grand Prix. Where I have looked state that they are for '04+ models, but I know the '08 has a MAF sensor which I don't know if it will cause problems. I'd like the K&N, but it says it is for 04-05. On PFYC.com, they say that somebody with an '06 installed it without problems.

Anyone know where a good place to look would be?

They all have MAF sensors. My 2000 has a MAF sensor and it's fine, even though I have a K&N filter and a gutted airbox. Check on clubgp to be sure.

[Asinity]

I asked K&N, they told me that they are uncertain if it would work. However, they said to check to make sure that everything is the same for those years as far as the intake system goes. As far as anyone knows, were there any changes to any of the systems in the Series 3 3800 between 2005 and 2008?

[dav305z]

https://www.zzperformance.com/grand_...cts.php?id=113

They'll be able to tell you (the Wizaird intake might be a better choice, anyway).

I really doubt GM made any changes to the 3.8L in 2008 - that was the last year for the GP.

[BudgetModding]

You can either "convince" the K&N to fit (might not be that hard), or you have some other options- Ebay, Spectre, or make your own intake. Making your own isn't as scary as it sounds, and it won't cost you much, either.

[Asinity]

I'll just clarify what my issue is, sorry I didn't from the start.

I used to drive a 2006 Saturn Ion, in 2005 they changed the sensor in the intake system to a MAF sensor, or at least changed the style of the sensor if it was also called a MAF in earlier models. The sensor was bigger, so it needed a different opening to fit into the intake tubing, which means 2003-2004 Ions couldn't use the aftermarket intakes that 2005+ models used, and vice-versa.

Will I run into problems like this for the Grand Prix? Or is the intake system unchanged for all 2004+ GP's with the N/A 3.8L.

[chickenkicker]

I'm curious to know the answer to this as well since we just bought an 07 GP a few days ago.

[Mischief007]

I gutted a stock airbox and there seems to be differences in the stock airboxes. The air intake in general looks to be the same though.

Again with any oiled filters, there is a possibility of screwing up the MAF. It seems even K&N is aware of it I believe. I remember reading something to the effect of either GM or K&N knowing about the problem and stating that you should use at your own risk.

[Asinity]

What exactly were the differences? And what years were the vehicles you looked at? Were they both N/A or S/C?

I know there are a few companies who make oil-free filters, and I haven't heard any bad things - but that doesn't really mean anything. I suppose it comes down to risks a person is willing to take, and those filters ARE oiled for a reason. On the other hand, how many people run these intakes and filters on their cars equipped with MAF's, and how many people actually had problems with them. I ran the CAI in my Ion for a year and never had a problem.

[chickenkicker]

I've had a K&N intake on my Trans Am for 5 years and 50k+ miles and my MAF is still fine. I know several people with them on their cars and they have never had a MAF fail.

The problem with oiled filters is that some people tend to be a little over zealous with the oil when they clean their filters, so long as you don't over oil them you should be fine. I've cleaned mine a few times so far and I just watched how much oil I used.

[Mischief007]

Originally Posted by Asinity

What exactly were the differences? And what years were the vehicles you looked at? Were they both N/A or S/C?

I know there are a few companies who make oil-free filters, and I haven't heard any bad things - but that doesn't really mean anything. I suppose it comes down to risks a person is willing to take, and those filters ARE oiled for a reason. On the other hand, how many people run these intakes and filters on their cars equipped with MAF's, and how many people actually had problems with them. I ran the CAI in my Ion for a year and never had a problem.

I took a look at 3 air boxes and they all had minor differences from my 04 GTP air box BUT the general assembly of it is the same. The only difference is the California models with their extra emission crap.

Originally Posted by chickenkicker

I've had a K&N intake on my Trans Am for 5 years and 50k+ miles and my MAF is still fine. I know several people with them on their cars and they have never had a MAF fail.

The problem with oiled filters is that some people tend to be a little over zealous with the oil when they clean their filters, so long as you don't over oil them you should be fine. I've cleaned mine a few times so far and I just watched how much oil I used.

Absolutely. That's where the problems came from. As long as you don't over do it then you are fine. The problem was that people oiled it way too much.

I'm personally running an Amsoil cone filter in my gutted air box.

[Asinity]

Thanks a lot! I look forward to doing this, hopefully sooner than later.

[Slowhand Jim]

Originally Posted by chickenkicker

I've had a K&N intake on my Trans Am for 5 years and 50k+ miles and my MAF is still fine. I know several people with them on their cars and they have never had a MAF fail.

The problem with oiled filters is that some people tend to be a little over zealous with the oil when they clean their filters, so long as you don't over oil them you should be fine. I've cleaned mine a few times so far and I just watched how much oil I used.

I use a Shop vac to remove the extra oil , duct tape end to the hose and run for 1/2hr. and I use a hairdryer to make the oil sticky. You can use a MAF cleaner too, must be dry before you plug it back in.