c5 cold air intake
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Is this a poll? You won't get a consensus. Popular choices (Blackwing, dual filter, K&N, VOLANT, AFE, etc) don't necessarily mean "best".
There are two that are generally considered true cold air intakes (CAI). They are VARARAM and CALLAWAY "Honker". You will pay more for those but they work very well. They look oem. Both have lots of users/supporters.
HALLTECH may have something as well, but I'm not familiar with all their offerings.
The rest of the after market may be considered cool air intakes.
Cold air intakes isolate the air intake from hot engine compartment air. The cool air intakes get some cool air from the front fascia openings but mostly ingest hot engine compartment air.
My initial choice was an SLP "Blackwing" but it caused erratic lean codes. I also used a modified ('02-04) oem Z06 intake for quite a while which worked very well. I seriously doubt if either actually made any extra horsepower, but they allowed for louder air intake which is what most owners equate to more horsepower.
I recently installed a CALLAWAY "Honker" and I'm very happy with the performance and appearance. I used a HALLTECH "laminar flow straightener" for the MAF which has eliminated any lean codes so far (@ 5200 ft altitude).
There are two that are generally considered true cold air intakes (CAI). They are VARARAM and CALLAWAY "Honker". You will pay more for those but they work very well. They look oem. Both have lots of users/supporters.
HALLTECH may have something as well, but I'm not familiar with all their offerings.
The rest of the after market may be considered cool air intakes.
Cold air intakes isolate the air intake from hot engine compartment air. The cool air intakes get some cool air from the front fascia openings but mostly ingest hot engine compartment air.
My initial choice was an SLP "Blackwing" but it caused erratic lean codes. I also used a modified ('02-04) oem Z06 intake for quite a while which worked very well. I seriously doubt if either actually made any extra horsepower, but they allowed for louder air intake which is what most owners equate to more horsepower.
I recently installed a CALLAWAY "Honker" and I'm very happy with the performance and appearance. I used a HALLTECH "laminar flow straightener" for the MAF which has eliminated any lean codes so far (@ 5200 ft altitude).
Last edited by hotwheels57; Mar 6, 2012 at 02:16 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 646
Likes: 11
From: San Antonio Texas
Everyone will have different opinions. They will range from Vararam, BBK, BlackWing and K&N to name a few. Many will rant on the Vararam for the most HP increase. Do a little research and go with your gut feeling. I use the BBK for now. I have no complaints.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,600
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From: Outer banks North Carolina
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
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Anyone throw error codes as a result of installing any of these bolt-on aftermaket air intakes?
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QUOTE=momo20;1580202813]Hands down the vararam for a cold air intake.be warned it does take a few hours to install[/QUOTE]
You will notice better performance above around 50 MPH! I had to make changes to my tune because of lean codes, but that just showed me that it was getting more air.
You will notice better performance above around 50 MPH! I had to make changes to my tune because of lean codes, but that just showed me that it was getting more air.
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Last edited by SacCityCorvette; Mar 6, 2012 at 05:51 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Goodyear Arizona
No one has any codes with the vararam? I just put mine in and now i have a code, i dont recall exactly what the code was but it something to the effect of "bank 2 lean"
I can tell this thing has really freed up some power but im slightly annoyed now the mil is on. Its on an '04 Z btw if that makes a difference, install wasnt too bad but its definitely not something i care to do again (for those of you looking to buy one, also install vid on youtube)
I can tell this thing has really freed up some power but im slightly annoyed now the mil is on. Its on an '04 Z btw if that makes a difference, install wasnt too bad but its definitely not something i care to do again (for those of you looking to buy one, also install vid on youtube)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
If you go Vararam - which is as others have said a genuine cold air/ram intake, do not drive through standing water. Or you will need a new engine. I went with a Halltech Stinger. A bit more induction noise and maybe a few HP. From the data on the K&N site, they reckon the early cars respond better to more air than the later models - last time I looked they had dyno charts on their site for both early and late C5's.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 520
From: Da U.P.
I've got the now discontinued Hurricane intake, includes a new fiberglass radiator shroud and is a true cold/ram air intake. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the use of a non-factory shroud. I've had my hands on a Vararam and it seemed kinda cheesy. My vote is for the Calloway Honker that I've never seen in real life. Costs an arm, leg, and a left nut for such a simple thing though so I suspect it's a high quality unit plus you keep your factory shroud. The Hurricane's shroud doesn't seal as well as the factory unit, so I had to get creative there. Probably won't spend the money to change it now though.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Everywhere and Nowhere at all
I love these kind of statements.... Yeah, take this guys word for it...
Personally, I have used VRB2, Calloway Honker, currently Halltech Killer Bee II.... Picked up an additional 6-8 rwhp and 11-12 ftlbs of Tq over the Honker and my Throttle response is much snappier, responsive.... FOR ME, the KBII is the best option PERIOD.
Personally, I have used VRB2, Calloway Honker, currently Halltech Killer Bee II.... Picked up an additional 6-8 rwhp and 11-12 ftlbs of Tq over the Honker and my Throttle response is much snappier, responsive.... FOR ME, the KBII is the best option PERIOD.