bobby777

which CAI is the biggest bang?

P.Griffin

Honest opinion....I've bought CAI's for many cars and usually end up being disappointed. I purchased a Vararam B2 for my Z06 and I honestly feel it is worth the $250 or whatever it costs. Yes, the installation could be a little tricky so something like a Honker could also certainly be considered. But once you start moving, say 40 mph plus, the Vararam certainly makes a difference. The midrange pull that you gain is certainly $250 worth, maybe even $500 worth if we are speaking in those terms. When data logging my car, the air being taken in by the engine was noticeably higher.

thechosenone

Yep when I am loggin my runs my IAT's were lower than they were with the stock intake.

I did 6 months of research and choose the Vararam.

Ill never forget this race me and my buddy had. I just put my first mods on my Z which were SLP Catback and Vararam Intake. He had a 02 SS Camaro a cam stage 1 ported heads from TSP and some bolt on's and he would get my stock Z by about 2-3 cars. We then lined up after he install and we were neck and neck, one of my favorite races.

I know it was not the cat back helping out as much as the stock TI cat back flows up to 700hp with no problems but I know for a fact that intake made a night and day difference. They next day I even broke my rear out-put shaft. Guess the car did not like the fresh air, lol.

Halltech

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...des/index.html

Then there is this for the modded C5:



http://www.halltechsystems.com/product_p/kbls6conv.htm

Cold air from the high pressure zone of the C5:

marty mar

My car came with a vararam. I pulled it apart to check out the filter,
and was horrified with the pathetic build quality. I had dirt everywhere,
that had got past all the leaks in the air cleaner. Garbage. I installed a Carbon fiber KN
replacement open element filter , and never looked back. Mine may have been an
older version, it had a foam filter.

weendoggy

I installed a Callaway and love it. Good fit, good filter and I did a little extra securing when installing the housing. I don't have any dyno numbers but it does "feel" a little more exciting above the 3k range.

ctusser

No BS, as the stock air box is a restriction. Replacing with nearly any aftermarket will show around a 10hp gain on a stock car, and even more if a tune is done. After aftermarket intake and a tune the average hp range is around ~370whp

A true cold air like the vararam or honker will be even better overall b/c it isolates the incoming air from the engine compartment which lowers the incoming air temps especially after sitting around idling for a while. Cooler air = more power and less of the chance the engine will pull timing which will kill power output. With some cold air intakes you risk hydrolocking the engine if you get caught in a rain storm and ingest standing water. So the benefits are real, but there are risks as well so chose what is right for you and with nearly anything you chose there will be an increase over stock.

MTPZ06

As stated above...an intake that doesn't ingest warm underhood air is always the preferred setup. CAI = Cold Air Intake, not Cold & Warm Air. Couldn't be happier with my Callaway Honker.

neutron82

vararam's build quality definitely sucks but it does work... what i did with mine was seal the air filter into the upper housing with clear silicone that way dirt and debris won't get past it... i was kind of pissed that i spent $250 on something that was built like crap but once i got it installed and saw the difference it made then i decided to keep it

mph1972

I have ran several different CAIs and the VR was the one that provided the most noticeable gains.

fatlt1

i should do that as well, had my car on the dyno ready to make a run and we said for the heck of it lets take the filter out and when we did holy ****... it was so dirty around in there i was shocked i cant believe it was so nasty in there.

0Tampa Tuning

Vararam works very good.

DARRYLZO6

Blackwing-modified radiator shroud-VR power duct-tune. This CAI setup has given me very noticeable gains. Changed the performance character to the extreme. Never regretted the choice.

Dave_2003_TRZ06

I just ditched my VR and put the blackwing back on. How did you modify your radiator shroud? I am guessing something similar to the honker setup?

Pipedream

Biggest bang for the BUCK, no doubt about it! (almost free...)

Read the below thread, instructions and dyno-graphs showing results.


http://ls1tech.com/forums/corvette-p...p-tie-mod.html


-OR-

Find a complete how-to at the below link and there is a PDF detailing the installation with the filter face sitting through the shroud for cold air access. This is how I have mine setup and I am using a K&N filter element.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-write-up.html

Dave_2003_TRZ06

ah the good'ole zip tie mod, that was the first thing I did!

danziger

Best bang for buck? Buy a used CAI in the "Parts for Sale" section...

I have a HallTech that I bought for cheap as left over stock when they went over to their new line of CAIs. Still works great and install was a breeze...

ztheusa

Just the name "cold air" is a giant lie.

skyavonee

This will yield the greatest value of power per dollar.

DARRYLZO6

You guessed it my friend. First, make sure the hole that you cut lines up with the Blackwing, second, make points in the same diameter as the Blackwing, remove the shroud, cut the opening with a sawzall or whatever cuts through the shroud the easiest, then of course, re-install the shroud. Immediate performance increase, lower engine temps, more power. Its all good.Also SAVE BIG BUCKS