COLD AIR INTAKE for a C5
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Well I hope Vararam has improved it's quality, I have a Halltech and it works great in my opinion, There are a lot of good units for the C5 out there and a wide range of pricing.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
Halltech here too. Blackwing is also a nice unit. I've seen this on many C5's and installation is very easy. Vararam is very poplular but have seen some problems with installs not going very well on here either due to poor fitment and design or lousy instructions. Many on here have posted on here about there installs of the vararam so you can get different ideas or ways to do the install, ie; lots of help available. I personally have seen a few and was not impressed with the quality.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 24
From: Northern Chicago Burbs IL
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
I saw a lot of fitment issue problems with the vararam and wound up going with a callaway. I had a K&N and I had a carbon fiber duct with a K&N filter. The callaway is staying. Fits nice, looks even better (had some custom paint done to it) and the IAT's are down. It also mounts the MAF near the throttle body.
If I were to do it all over again with no money invested....I'd buy an LG one for an LS3 car. Adapt the LS3 MAF to work, and shave down the posts and you can get it to work plus its sick looking carbon fiber.
If I were to do it all over again with no money invested....I'd buy an LG one for an LS3 car. Adapt the LS3 MAF to work, and shave down the posts and you can get it to work plus its sick looking carbon fiber.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: EL Paso Texas
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
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The Vararam will get you the most in terms of performance increase, but the install is more detailed and the fitment has had issues. I have run the Blackwing on my last to C5s and have been pleased with it - easy install, better air flow and looks good. It is not a true cold air intake like the Vararam, but it gets the job done for a lesser price.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,036
Likes: 845
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 224
Likes: 25
From: IMPERIAL MISSOURI
Just had my Vararam w/ powerduct installed today. I researched quite a few before I went with this one. Considerable gains at highway speeds! I'm very pleased with it. Fitment and looks are great. I think they have worked out all the kinks.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
i would use a blackwing or a honker if i had to choose. they are the safest regarding water. they won't dirty a filter in a few hundred miles and they fit
i like the honker the most
vararam is a vacuum cleaner. if you want your air filter to be a sand catcher this is the intake for you. i could possibly see it as a track intake or weekend driver thing. i would not ever use one on a daily driver
i like the honker the most
vararam is a vacuum cleaner. if you want your air filter to be a sand catcher this is the intake for you. i could possibly see it as a track intake or weekend driver thing. i would not ever use one on a daily driver
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 419
Likes: 3
From: North Lauderdale FL
I just installed a Volant. While it can be argued that it isn't a true cold air intake, I have no complaints. It's priced right and is super easy to install and maintain. The car seems happy with it, too. Anything that nets you more surface area than the stock post card sized air inlet and gets rid of that accordion bellows helps, in my opinion.