Cold air intake?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 17
Cold air intake?
Hey all!
So, I've heard about dual cone cold air intakes being a pretty good mod for the C5s. Anyone here have any experience with them, or brands that they recommend? Any cons to having one?
Thanks!
Brandon
So, I've heard about dual cone cold air intakes being a pretty good mod for the C5s. Anyone here have any experience with them, or brands that they recommend? Any cons to having one?
Thanks!
Brandon
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 4
From: Longmont on the Front Range of Colorful Colorado
I had a dual cone with K&N filters on my '99 'vert. I replaced it with a Blackwing and the car felt "better" with the Blackwing. No empirical evidence, just felt like it delivered power smother, perhaps more (but that is probably wishful thinking). 
I also replaced the air bridge at the same time, so that was probably also a contributing factor. YMMV
I also replaced the air bridge at the same time, so that was probably also a contributing factor. YMMV
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
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From: pueblo co
you will get a lot of answers and other opinion's on this topic. with that said for me when i bought my 03 Z it had a K&N open air element filter installed with the K&N power duct...me not liking a filter sitting in a warm engine bay i went with the vararam system..and i like it a lot more..and the seat of the pants feels was deft. there
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 517
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From: Milford DE
I put a Vararam on and so far I'm happy with it not the best build quality but it delivers the air and you notice a difference. I had a volant dual cone on my last vette and I never felt any difference and there was no hp difference on the dyno
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I also considered a (chrome) duel cone intake, however after talking with other owners and comparing notes, etc., most of them are cosmetic bling improvements over the OEM intake with very small or no performance gains.
Although many other brands were mentioned, it seemed like it always came down to two; (1) Vararam and (2) Calloway Honker.
I helped a friend install his Vararam and although it lives up to its performance reputation, I was not impressed with the quality of materials, although I heard they have been improved over the last couple years. As a result, I went with the Calloway Honker CAI. It mimicks the OEM bottom feeder design and is very well built. I also like the low-key OEM look of the Honker.
Although many other brands were mentioned, it seemed like it always came down to two; (1) Vararam and (2) Calloway Honker.
I helped a friend install his Vararam and although it lives up to its performance reputation, I was not impressed with the quality of materials, although I heard they have been improved over the last couple years. As a result, I went with the Calloway Honker CAI. It mimicks the OEM bottom feeder design and is very well built. I also like the low-key OEM look of the Honker.
Last edited by MSG C5; Oct 9, 2012 at 08:44 AM.
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While I do not think it is a true CAI, it is very easy to install, looks great and certainly flows better than the stock air intake. And it's reasonably priced.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 17
Thank you all for the info so far. So many options!!! Also, MSG C5, that is quite an impressive engine compartment. Very clean. You're right about the Honker. It looks "right" in the compartment.
So overall, I guess I'm curious as to whether I'll feel any difference in performance with any of the systems, and whether they're worth the upgrade.
Also, are there significant problems I might encounter with any of the systems?
So overall, I guess I'm curious as to whether I'll feel any difference in performance with any of the systems, and whether they're worth the upgrade.
Also, are there significant problems I might encounter with any of the systems?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
either the callaway or the vararam are your two top picks..either one you can't go wrong... and yes you will deft. notice a difference...like with your stock setup..don't go driving though big puddles of water and your fine
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Wake Forest NC
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: Milford DE
I have a couple of pictures from the install of my Vararam ill post up maybe they will help you
Here's a few pictures it took about 2 hours and a few beers to get it put in and took some persuasion to get it installed
Here's a few pictures it took about 2 hours and a few beers to get it put in and took some persuasion to get it installed
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 4
From: Always in my lane.
Im a Blackwing fan/believer. This is a true cold air intake. Similar idea to the C5R racecar,Honker,Breathless systems in the fact that a provision is made for more outside air to enter the intake to not only make the intake more effecient, but also to make more power, cooler engine temps and in most cases, better mpg. Also like the fact that Ligenfelter uses the Blackwing in their R&D on their engine packages. Blackwing is a quality product but also no aftermarket intake performs as well as it should if its taking in hot engine air.
Last edited by DARRYLZO6; Oct 9, 2012 at 12:00 PM.