[Z06] Need air intake advice...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Roll 20's...
Need air intake advice...
I searched for "air intake" and turned up 7 responses, but none seemed to address what my question is.
I'm due to replace the airfilter on my 03 Z06. I figured I might as well go ahead an upgrade the air intake at the same time. From looking around, it seems like I have the following options:
1) Donaldson Blackwing
2) Vararam
3) Vortex Rammer
4) Halltech Stinger
Are there any I missed? Now, I know "which is the best" is a purely subjective term, but I'm curious as to the thoughts of folks about those or any I may have missed. I also have a question about how it all comes together. If I install any of the above, does that effectively replace my stock airfilter with an airfilter that is a part of the system, or do I still need to get a new airfilter? For example, if I get a vararam would I still need a blackwing (or similar filter)? Also, should I replace the air intake duct and/or mass airflow sensor at the same time (either for performance or ease of "since you have it pulled apart anyway")?
Any advice y'all can offer is appreciated.
TIA
I'm due to replace the airfilter on my 03 Z06. I figured I might as well go ahead an upgrade the air intake at the same time. From looking around, it seems like I have the following options:
1) Donaldson Blackwing
2) Vararam
3) Vortex Rammer
4) Halltech Stinger
Are there any I missed? Now, I know "which is the best" is a purely subjective term, but I'm curious as to the thoughts of folks about those or any I may have missed. I also have a question about how it all comes together. If I install any of the above, does that effectively replace my stock airfilter with an airfilter that is a part of the system, or do I still need to get a new airfilter? For example, if I get a vararam would I still need a blackwing (or similar filter)? Also, should I replace the air intake duct and/or mass airflow sensor at the same time (either for performance or ease of "since you have it pulled apart anyway")?
Any advice y'all can offer is appreciated.
TIA
Spending his inheritance
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: If the RV's arock'n, don't come aknock'n FL
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
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There is also the Honker air induction system from Callaway. IM me and I will let yu know where I'm getting mine and you can talk to the owner about it. I am putting it and Callaway headers on my LS1. 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
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From this thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1550247436
Originally Posted by Dave68
If you live in California, skip the Vararam and consider the TRAP as being in between “very difficult” and “easy”, as the Vararam can be a royal pain to install/uninstall/reinstall for smog tests. If you live in a state that doesn't have visual inspections, then take a look at the following (grouped by cold air and non-cold air, but in no particular order) and my comments, if any:
Halltech TRAP with cold air option: This design can bring cold air in through a “Tunnelport” cutout (where the license plate would reside) that provides the shortest ram-type air path to an air filter, compared to all the rest. Its Warhead filter can only be described as "Massive". Not the easiest thing to install.
Vararam: Brings cold air in through the fog light panel area to a panel-type filter. Downside: Eliminates engine bay-cooling air that would've come in from the fog light panels (Z06 or coupe/vert with opened-up panels), so the engine bay may end up being toastier.
Vortech Rammer: Brings cold air up from in front of the radiator and into an enclosed box. Its filter is quite a bit smaller than the Halltech Warhead or Blackwing unit.
Callaway intake system: This one relocates the MAF so that it is just in front of the throttlebody. It directs cold air from underneath.
K&N FIPK: This is more of a semi-cold air system, as the cold air intake opening is more of a slit. However, it is configured similarly to the Halltech Stinger-R and is 50-states legal. $350
Warm air systems: (Easy installation)
Halltech Stinger-R: Not only contains the massive Warhead filter, but also includes a larger-than-stock airbridge and smooth throttlebody coupler. For $239.00 or less, this system represents the best bang for the buck. Fortunately, for about $40, you can add cold air induction. See my procedure at http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
Blackwing: Includes just a large filter, but an excellent one at that. Its cost is close to that of the Stinger.
Volant Twin Cone: This system gives you more open filter surface area than any stock box does and is well suited to an engine bay that gets cold air in from the fog light panels, as the filters are more or less in the air flow path.
How good are they? My experience has shown that most will bump up RWHP by at least 10. The advantage of having cold air is that power will not be "dialed down" under normally hot underhood (and intake air) conditions. You could easily lose 10 HP with a warm air system after engine bay temps rise during slow-moving conditions. Cold air prevents this from happening.
CPT Z06
Great answer!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1550247436
Originally Posted by Dave68
If you live in California, skip the Vararam and consider the TRAP as being in between “very difficult” and “easy”, as the Vararam can be a royal pain to install/uninstall/reinstall for smog tests. If you live in a state that doesn't have visual inspections, then take a look at the following (grouped by cold air and non-cold air, but in no particular order) and my comments, if any:
Halltech TRAP with cold air option: This design can bring cold air in through a “Tunnelport” cutout (where the license plate would reside) that provides the shortest ram-type air path to an air filter, compared to all the rest. Its Warhead filter can only be described as "Massive". Not the easiest thing to install.
Vararam: Brings cold air in through the fog light panel area to a panel-type filter. Downside: Eliminates engine bay-cooling air that would've come in from the fog light panels (Z06 or coupe/vert with opened-up panels), so the engine bay may end up being toastier.
Vortech Rammer: Brings cold air up from in front of the radiator and into an enclosed box. Its filter is quite a bit smaller than the Halltech Warhead or Blackwing unit.
Callaway intake system: This one relocates the MAF so that it is just in front of the throttlebody. It directs cold air from underneath.
K&N FIPK: This is more of a semi-cold air system, as the cold air intake opening is more of a slit. However, it is configured similarly to the Halltech Stinger-R and is 50-states legal. $350
Warm air systems: (Easy installation)
Halltech Stinger-R: Not only contains the massive Warhead filter, but also includes a larger-than-stock airbridge and smooth throttlebody coupler. For $239.00 or less, this system represents the best bang for the buck. Fortunately, for about $40, you can add cold air induction. See my procedure at http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
Blackwing: Includes just a large filter, but an excellent one at that. Its cost is close to that of the Stinger.
Volant Twin Cone: This system gives you more open filter surface area than any stock box does and is well suited to an engine bay that gets cold air in from the fog light panels, as the filters are more or less in the air flow path.
How good are they? My experience has shown that most will bump up RWHP by at least 10. The advantage of having cold air is that power will not be "dialed down" under normally hot underhood (and intake air) conditions. You could easily lose 10 HP with a warm air system after engine bay temps rise during slow-moving conditions. Cold air prevents this from happening.
CPT Z06
Great answer!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 6
From: Gulf of Mexico Florida West Coast
VaraRam is kick. P I T A to install. Remove the shroud you stock air box is mounted on for an easier install and throw out the installation instructions. Ram Air induction becomes very noticable at higher speeds. Filter is a race type filter, if your a daily driver, install the K & N filter element in your VR-2B.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,101
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From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by OURRUBY
There is also the Honker air induction system from Callaway. IM me and I will let yu know where I'm getting mine and you can talk to the owner about it. I am putting it and Callaway headers on my LS1.
