Air intake systems
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Best for balance of performance and reliability, no issues with water; maybe the Z box.
Best for all out performance, maybe the Callaway or Vararam.
Best case scenario on an LS1 you might gain a small HP increase, not something you will notice other than hearing more air intake noise.
All just my opinion.
Budget? Goals?
Best for all out performance, maybe the Callaway or Vararam.
Best case scenario on an LS1 you might gain a small HP increase, not something you will notice other than hearing more air intake noise.
All just my opinion.
Budget? Goals?
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For most noticeable performance gains, I agree that the Callaway or Vararam are the best.
For ease of install and still get some benefit, the Blackwing is a good choice (I run it on my car).
For ease of install and still get some benefit, the Blackwing is a good choice (I run it on my car).
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 615
Likes: 14
From: Glenwood Springs Colorado
I have that one. I bought it dirt cheap used, because one of the corners of the clear box was broken (not affecting performance). I used the old box as a master and made myself a new one 100% from carbon fiber. It weights nothing and I tried climbing on top of it, without even a creaking sound. I love it. I had one on my first C5 back in 2000. I don't see how is it much different than the Calloway. But one is the holly name that can do no wrong and the other seems to be vastly discredited on here.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,440
Likes: 2,184
From: Buffalo Texas
Doug at ECS recommends a tune with the Vararam, and he views the Vararam as one one the best !!!!! I know before my tune the exhaust was black, now fairly clean !!!! (I also installed a LS 6 intake and headers along with the tune, already had the vararam, my first mod)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 460
From: East Windsor NJ
I got my K&N in the mail - debating between zip & flip or "no front cover" - will take a closer look at the situation soon. I'm just wondering - with zip & flip are you getting cold or hot air?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1557887035
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1557887035
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 191
From: Wilmington DE
I got my K&N in the mail - debating between zip & flip or "no front cover" - will take a closer look at the situation soon. I'm just wondering - with zip & flip are you getting cold or hot air?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1557887035
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1557887035
Last edited by SuperTom; Jul 6, 2015 at 12:31 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
I just put a Vararam on my 2000 and I have to be honest I wish I would have done what a few others said and just get a filter. It was a PITA to get on and even when it was all done it still didn't fit like I thought a $300+ intake should. I had to leave all the mounting screws out of where the rams fit in the front bumper to get the air box high enough that it didn't crunch the plastic air deflector for the radiator and no matter what I do it will not stay in place in the front bumper it falls down in front of the fog lights. As for power I didn't feel any change really by seat of the pants dyno. Mileage seems close to the same too but have only put about 100 miles on it since I installed it.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,440
Likes: 2,184
From: Buffalo Texas
I just put a Vararam on my 2000 and I have to be honest I wish I would have done what a few others said and just get a filter. It was a PITA to get on and even when it was all done it still didn't fit like I thought a $300+ intake should. I had to leave all the mounting screws out of where the rams fit in the front bumper to get the air box high enough that it didn't crunch the plastic air deflector for the radiator and no matter what I do it will not stay in place in the front bumper it falls down in front of the fog lights. As for power I didn't feel any change really by seat of the pants dyno. Mileage seems close to the same too but have only put about 100 miles on it since I installed it.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
Yeah that's where I saw it too. In the directions it says to install them but on the video it says to leave them out. If I installed them there was no way it would fit. The problem with leaving them out is it pulls the rams away from the bumper and then they can fall down in front of the fog lamps. After I had it in I looked on their website and it showed the B2 kit having spacers for those screws but mine didn't have them even though the box said B2. Idk my $.02 is the Vararam is an awesome idea and I'm sure does its job but seems pretty chinsy for the price tag.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 193
Likes: 4
From: Mass
Vararam. It's one of the few true cold air/ram air intakes on the market. The Vararam will give you no power on a dyno. The car has to be moving. A tune with a Vararam and corsa exhaust will be sick. Whatever intake you decide, it needs to pull fresh air from out side the car not the hot radiator bay. The fastest C5's and C6's non FI cars run Vararam. Dyno #'s can lie. 1/4 times can not.