I know this isn't directed at my last post, and I agree with you BTW, just wanted to add a couple of other points:

1. installing an aftermarket intake can provide a 7-15 HP increase on a C5 depending on the intake (a contentious debate as to what aftermarket intake is best......).

2. Whatever intake you install must be shielded from the hotter underhood air and breathe cooler ambient air to realize the full HP increase possible (true CAI).

3. You have to be aware of the increased noise and possible water ingestion issues (not really problems if you don't drive in the rain and/or don't mind the noise)

IMHO, the only true CAIs are the Callaway Honker and the VaraRam. There are others (Blackwing with Icebox come to mind) but again, IMHO, the gains are minimal by themselves.

 

nice post

 

QUOTE=Cobra4B
Many people on here believe in the myth of ram air and will blindy chant Vararam!


If you have a true CAI that brings in air from a high pressure area of the vehicle, such as the front, like a Vararam, on the hood, from a scoop, or by the windshield, from cowl induction, the benefits are found when moving and from the intake of colder (which is denser) air. Air is forced into the engine from the increase of pressure at that zone, increasing the ammount of fuel you can use, increaing HP. The faster you go, the greater the gain. I do not blindly chant Vararam, it does work to increase HP and as a side effect, it also increases fuel economy.

 

^ There are many more than that... BPP Vortex Rammer, WCC Hurricane, etc. to name a couple.

 

This guy giving advice on performance and is going to the K&N 'just for looks'

No blindness going on here, the vararam dropped my car into the 12s the first time out and I ran a consistent 2 tenths and 2.5 MPH better. This was not over the stock unit either, this was over another highly recommended intake here on the Forum.

True. As long as its less restrictive as well.
False. There is plenty of places for it to go other than the intake, unless you have a Vararam. Then it ALL gets channeled into the intake, in effect RAMMING it through the filter.

Am I currently running a Vararam. Actually no..... I used to have it but went with the only intakes I believe to be better, F/I

 

It does make a difference.

 

Where the **** do you get off with a comment like that. I've been on this forum for over 7 years... I've taken my car apart down to the chassis and re-built it. I've done all of my own performance modifications.

I've run the car into the 11s at the drag strop and run it around VIR in the 2:10 range... I think I'm more than qualified to comment on performance in the C5 arena.

The Vararam is a fine air intake... but if you truly believe you're getting a pressurization of the intake tract from it then you're misguided. You simply have a nice air intake forced to get ambient outside air.

If you look inside the screens on a Z06 facia or better yet my tigershark facia guess what you'll see... that's right... the damn air filter. All that air goes directly to it. Once moving the air filter is bathed in outside air.

Personally I swapped to the C6 K&N over the BPP Vortex Rammer because I liked the carbon fiber look and the fact that it's more accessible to clean.

My car will still make 436 rwhp with it.

/Rant

 

Easy Cheesy!!!! Although I did come off in a bad way, so my apologies.

I guess I was trying to say the Vararam does work. It doesn't create boost, thats for sure. But it does work. I too doubted the ads and wouldn't have believed it had I not seen it first hand. My first 4 runs with the 'ram was better than any of my previous runs with the other intake,which counted many dozens I know for a fact.
So many people are quick to say otherwise. I just want the OP to know what choices are out there and feel like he is getting his monies worth. The Vararam is easily the best performance mod for the money, next to the hood seal

 

This subject "always" turns into a heated debate. I have the Vararam on my C5 and IMHO it delivers. It's my car, my money and my opinion. Gotta love America.

 

Just imagine if we could harness the power of an ego...it's free, it's green and infinitely sustainable for centuries. The only thing required to make it work is humility...

 

 

My costs may be a bit off, but most of what is stated here is based upon my experience with aftermarket intake systems for the C5....

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 also 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. $300-$400 (NOT smog legal in CA)

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 (NOT smog legal in CA)

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) for non=Z06 C5s. Excellent design and quality. If cost is no object, this bad boy should be at the top of your list.

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

Reverse Zip-tie: Allows cold air to be drawn in from underneath, but the bare filter is exposed to potential damage from larger objects. The advantage here is that you may pass smog if the tech doesn't know "which way is up".

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 $350.00 or less, this system represents one of the best bangs for the buck. Fortunately, if you don't like Z06 screens in front of cored-out fog light panels, (for about $40) you can add cold air induction. See my procedure at http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
This is what I did and a swap to smog-legal status is very easy to do, as I have kept my Z06 intake box.

Halltech Stinger SSM: 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. Like the Stinger, it is not smog-legal in CA, but can easily be swapped.

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.


According to Jim Hall of Halltech, at 95-degrees IAT, the Blackwing (and other non-CAI intakes) will lose 1 degree of timing. At 135-degrees a full 12 degrees is pulled on the LS1 which equals 10 RWHP.

I measured before and after air intake temperature data with a stock Halltech Stinger and then with the same intake but with my CAI mod. The difference was staggering:

After sitting in traffic/slow-moving for 10 minutes or so, my stock Halltech setup was pulling in air that reached 145+ degreesF. Even after driving at highway speeds for 15 minutes, the intake temps never fell below 110F or so.

After installing my CAI mod, sitting in traffic/slow-moving for 10 minutes or more never produced more than 110 degrees F intake temps. After driving on the highway for less than a few minutes, the intake temps went all the way down to ambient temperatures (about 80 degrees F).

As far as horsepower gains, most aftermarket intakes will produce about the same horsepower gains if the intake air is kept relatively cool. During the many dyno runs I have seen, each car had its hood open and a large fan blowing air on the radiator. Vararam-equipped C5s produced the same gains as the Halltech and Blackwing-equipped C5s.

As was mentioned, the gains are only achieved permanently if the intake air is kept below a certain level. If not, much, if not all of your gains will be "dialed back" by the ECU.

 

The best air intake in my opinion is the callaway honker cold air. I am happy with my breathless performance cold air intake however.

both bottom breathers

 

They actually should be one of the first mods you do.

Pick your price you want to spend and be happy with it

 

Here's a vote for Vararam.

Plus if you order from us, SS2007 gets you 10% off your order.

 

Do IT Yourself.

 

I am just trying to dispel the myth that a CAI alone is a big power adder. It IS an essential first step. Exhaust, H/C and/or S/C are the next steps and they cost big $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

If you look at my avatar, with the license plate mod I installed along with cutting a hole behind the Blackwing and installing a screen, you'll add quite a bit of cold air intake. I went from Mississippi to Northern Cali with my Blackwing, rain and all, with no problem, but as usual, do what you consider best.

 

I'm happy with my BPP Vortex Rammer. It brings cold air and I really felt a quicker engine response when speeding up.