Hey everyone! Long time reader, first time poster. So pretty much, everything was fine with the stock air box, installed a CAI and I started to get shudder on cold starts. Nothing major, and it stops after about 30 sec. and then runs perfectly fine. I never got any codes, so I just kind of ignored it. It finally came to a point where I just wanted to put the stock one back in and just see how it worked out. After it was put back in, shudder went away. Put the CAI back in, shudder came back. Is this something to be concerned about? Thanks!
Engine shudders on cold start after CAI install
- Thread starter Advans
- Start date
2014 Blue RS
Active member
Shudder . .
Are you watching it do this while someone else starts the car?
Or just experiencing when you start it?
Assuming SRI since only GM makes a true CAI and includes an ECU update with it.
Are you watching it do this while someone else starts the car?
Or just experiencing when you start it?
Assuming SRI since only GM makes a true CAI and includes an ECU update with it.
JesusTheAgnostic
New member
Like vibrating? Mine does it during cold starts too, not sure if it did it with just the K&N intake, but it definitely does it with the tune. During cold starts it sounds like a race car (I have the ZZP full turbo back though). and vibrates a bit. I've ignored it assuming it was normal. It doesn't really affect anything as far as I can tell. It's scary the first time you turn it on though. I'm assuming the shuddering stops once the RPM's drop below 1k? Your shudder is the most "violent" at around 1.5k RPM right when you start it right? I would say there would be no problem as long as the way it does it doesn't change. But then again I'm not a mechanic so don't listen to me. The way mine does it changed when my engine swallowed the check valve and then when it started not boosting properly. Which I haven't fixed yet so right now I'm driving without any boost 
Last edited:
bluejay
Member
most intakes will have some sort of mounting point to attach to a frame or something . i find that injen's usually dont have that kind of tab or mounting point so that would allow for the intake to move quite a bit . id keep an eye on it but the shuttering my be normal for your intake . cai stands for cold air intake and sri stands for short ram intake .
I've been trying to film this, but it's not working out. The sound is loud enough for me to hear, but not to be picked up on video. The shudder is kind of like a vibration that feels like a massage chair on the very lowest setting, lol.
Definitely doesn't sound like a race car, that would be kind of sweet though The shuddering stops after the car warms up a bit and drops below 1k. It is only noticeable around 1.5k when it first starts. Driving with no boost? That makes me sad just thinking about it. It's a little comforting though to know that this is something that's not unheard of.
Yeah, thanks for clarifying the CAI/SRI thing, I appreciate it. If it gets worse I will definitely let you guys know. Appreciate all the input!
Definitely doesn't sound like a race car, that would be kind of sweet though
The shuddering stops after the car warms up a bit and drops below 1k. It is only noticeable around 1.5k when it first starts. Driving with no boost? That makes me sad just thinking about it. It's a little comforting though to know that this is something that's not unheard of.Yeah, thanks for clarifying the CAI/SRI thing, I appreciate it. If it gets worse I will definitely let you guys know. Appreciate all the input!
JesusTheAgnostic
New member
I've been trying to film this, but it's not working out. The sound is loud enough for me to hear, but not to be picked up on video. The shudder is kind of like a vibration that feels like a massage chair on the very lowest setting, lol.
Definitely doesn't sound like a race car, that would be kind of sweet though
Yeah, thanks for clarifying the CAI/SRI thing, I appreciate it. If it gets worse I will definitely let you guys know. Appreciate all the input!
Because race car! I've got the full turboback and am tuned so that's probably why. It's scary but it's pretty cool because the exhaust comes out in pulses. So If you stand behind it during cold starts it pounds at your leg. And yeah I'm driving with no boost, or minimal boost. Definitely not fun. Although I can hear the turbo more now, somehow. When I'm parked and rev it :/ Anyway good luck. I hope nothing is wrong, though I doubt anything is I'd say just check everything is nice and tight and that you slipped the tubes together properly.