air intake
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,342
Likes: 24,781
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I've had the Blackwing on my last two Vettes - I'm very pleased with it and the install is very easy.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...tevararam.html
Volant
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...antintake.html
WCC Chrome
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...akechrome.html
WCC Black
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...takeblack.html
aFe Stage 2
http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...ttestage2.html
Peace
Chip
__________________
..................Click for
..................Click for
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 46
From: Taylorsville North Carolina
If you are looking for true cold air intake, there are not that many - Vararam, Honker, BPP might be it. The others still use ambient air from engine bay. It is probably better than stock, but not true cold air. The Vararam is a little more effort to install, but it is hard to argue with the results vs price as compared to other true cold air intakes. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
Read post #51 in this thread http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...results-3.html
then look for a used one. Best quality intake for sure, and solid, documented results.
Actually, if you do a google search, there is a reputable vendor selling new ones for $450. Given the excellent instructions, all parts included, and superb fit/finish, the extra $50 vs. your budget will be a cheap investment in installation time and ownership satisfaction.
You get what you pay for
then look for a used one. Best quality intake for sure, and solid, documented results.
Actually, if you do a google search, there is a reputable vendor selling new ones for $450. Given the excellent instructions, all parts included, and superb fit/finish, the extra $50 vs. your budget will be a cheap investment in installation time and ownership satisfaction.
You get what you pay for
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
X's 3 
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,270
Likes: 81
From: Riverside CA
St. Jude Donor '12
I am running the Vararam B2 on my 02 Convertible, my 03 Z06 and an SC1 on my 06 Convertible. My z06 is a beast and put down 401 rwhp with just bolt ons. 
Let me know if you decide to go that route and I'll get you a good deal.
Let me know if you decide to go that route and I'll get you a good deal.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,695
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 24
From: Northern Chicago Burbs IL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I am torn between the vararam and the blackwing. I have a blackwing on my FRC and a vararam on my targa. I think they are both pretty good.
The blackwing seems to be a higher quality and installation is easier.
The vararam is supposed to offer more performance, but it is tougher to install, the fit isn't as good, the mounting for the filter can use some help to make sure it seals. Once you work through the issues, the vararam is pretty good too.
The other one I would consider is the free zip-tie mod.
Good luck with your choices.
The blackwing seems to be a higher quality and installation is easier.
The vararam is supposed to offer more performance, but it is tougher to install, the fit isn't as good, the mounting for the filter can use some help to make sure it seals. Once you work through the issues, the vararam is pretty good too.
The other one I would consider is the free zip-tie mod.
Good luck with your choices.