Ive been considering an aftermarket air intake option. After spending the past few hours reading reading all the threads i am now more confused than when I started......Honker this, Halltech that......Blackwing Bla Bla, K&N yadaa yadaa yadaa, and Vararam....... I think im just going to sell my Vette!

 

get a BW if you want an easy install or Vararam if you want the most performance (like 2-5 rwhp over the BW at speeds) if you don't mind a long and hard install... There, you're minds been made up for you!

 

I have the K&N intake and love it. Whatever one you get I'm sure you'll be happy.

 

Get the one that looks the way you want it to.

Very little..........very little difference in performance between them all and stock. I chose the twin K&N set up for the looks.

 

Im all for dual intake...
...looks and performance...

 

Here's some more information to throw into your databank.....just to confuse the pot. Worth looking into, and the Florida boys can tell you all about them, and as they get a lot of rain can tell you about the reliability. Best of luck! (p.s. putting one on my daily driver in about 2 weeks).

http://www.corvetteconcepts.com/Prod...ne/Cyclone.htm

 

Get a vararam and be done with it. Little more work to install, but well worth it.

 

Sounds like you have not checked out the Hurricane!

 

Vararam all the way.

 

I like the Honker. Good performance and quality. It looks like an OEM piece.

 

Another VaraRam fan here!...
I did the install on a lazy rainy morning... my first one and it went smooth using CF member Cajundude install directions.
It has been through torrential downpours with no ill effects. I still have the foam filter in place although I bought the grey cloth filter to replace it when its time is up.

 

maybe a vette is not for you

 

Intake: I would get a Blackwing, a Halltech Stinger-R or a VaraRam.

The Vararam will probably add the most power (but is the most expensive),
the Blackwing flows the best
but the Stinger-R is the best value for the money because it comes with a new airbridge and coupler - both of which you should change in any case.

 

For the bang-for-the-buck ... most are just way over priced.
Especially when it come to the bridge.

You use the extra cash where it can actually help.

I went for the Halltech Stinger ...

 

Well,.. youve seen the rest NOW,.. the big twin cold air might actualy be the best!!!! and as far as R.W.H.P. the racers pick what WINS!!!

 

It does not flow as well as a Blackwing or Stinger-R, no offense intended.

 

I have a suggestion for you jrrodi , buy one in your price range , and one you like the look of .
I have the Vortex Rammer , this works well for me .
I believe that they all work better than stock .
Good Luck , Jim

 

Here it is in a nutshell:

If you live in California, think twice about the Vararam, as it 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:

Vararam: Brings cold air in through the fog light panel area to a panel-type filter. Owners have had good luck with system on the dragstrip, but plan on spending hours to install and a bit more to get everything lined up well. 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, especially if you add headers later. $350-$400

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. $250

Callaway Honker intake system: This one relocates the MAF so that it is just in front of the throttlebody. It directs cold air from underneath and costs about $500. I believe this unit is 50 states legal (smogwise).

K&N FIPK: This is more of a semi-cold air system, as the cold air intake opening is more of a slit. Its filter endcaps are carbon fiber. 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 one of the best bangs 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

Halltech Stinger SSM – 2001-2004 C5 only (new!): This intake system features an even larger filter than that of the Stinger-R, TRAP, and Blackwing. $400

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. $265

2002+ Z06 airbox cover: A larger opening allows more air to be drawn in through the filter. Expect up to a 5 RWHP gain from this simple swap. $50

Zip-tie: An easy and inexpensive mod (eliminates the OEM box’s upper lid), but its sealing ability is questionable at best.

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.

 

I thought that changing the air bridge and coupler really didn't do much? I thought about a number of times but someone here always told me not to bother.

 

Blackwing does a great job and the install is very easy. I haven't regretted buying mine.