I contacted them to ask and they responded:
We haven't tested any of our parts on any year of the Trax unfortunately. I know the motors are similar/the same, but I am unsure of clearance with our intake or the K&N one.
Thank you for your business,
Ryan Derrick
1477946563825_zzp
I might bite the bullet and get one try IG out I'll keep yall informed
Tons of misinformation regarding cold air intake; also, probably isn't realistic to claim that manufacturers like GM engineer the BEST equipment for the application! That one had me rolling
Colder air means the oxygen entering the engine is more dense; the hot air (which is less dense) created inside the combustion chamber is displaced by cooler air - meaning that more cold air can be cycled through the engine than hot air. With CAI units, the tube diameter is often larger, and many are tapered to reduce diameter at the manifold. Restriction to flow creates pressure, so when air travels through the tube toward the intake manifold, the taper increases air velocity (pressure). This essentially means that air is being forced into your engine, right at the tapered point where it's connected to the manifold, increasing it's velocity (same concept as artificial aspiration/forced induction - turbo/superchargers).
Lastly, air filter element material and location come into play. Removal of the stock airbox, and placement of the CAI filter further away from the engine, help to dissipate heat. Most performance intake's incorporate heat shields as well. This is where "cold air intake" get it's name. Less restrictive filter material also helps to increase air velocity.
More air + colder air + less restriction + increased air velocity + less heat = better engine performance. Better engine performance = increased horsepower/MPG. Aftermarket manufacturers dyno vehicles when testing their equipment, so research shows that indeed, CAI increases engine performance.
I increased HP/torque by about 40 using the Trifecta tune, which is not compatible for use with aftermarket exhaust and intake systems, so I wouldn't be able to install a CAI on my Trax even if it was available. But I'm certain that you could buy a performance intake for a 1.4 EcoTec turbo and reroute some vacuum lines, wiring, accessory components, etc, and make a CAI for a Cruze work with the Trax.