[Z06] CAI opinions please
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 0
From: Tyler TX
CAI opinions please
I'd appreciate any opinions on the best "bang for the buck" air intake upgrade. I've heard some good things about the Hurricane system and found a pretty decent price on westcoastcorvette.com, but I'm an SVT refugee and don't know much about C5 aftermarket products. Thanx in advance for any help!
Advanced
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Fountain Valley CA
I can't tell you if one is better than the other, but I put the Blackwing air intake on my 01 with the cold air schroud and then replaced the belows type coupler between the air bridge and the throttle body. I could feel the difference, and am happy with the increase in performance per dollar spent. It sounds better too!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Severna Park MD
St. Jude Donor '08
Best bang for the buck is probably the Halltech Stinger intake. For $199 you get a large filter, large free flowing airbridge and a smooth coupler between the air bridge and the throttle body. Someone did a before and after dyno with this system and gained 13 rwhp. Blackwing, K&N, Vortex, and Vararam are other popular intakes that increase power. There's a lot of info in the archives on this subject, you might want to do a search. Good luck and enjoy the ride.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 143
From: Goodyear Az
The absolute best bang-for-the-buck intake upgrade is the zip-tie mod. Simply take off the top cover, zip-tie the air filter in place, and you'll get a horsepower increase near most of the aftermarket additions. Probably not equal to, but near them, and the total cost will be pennies, or maybe $5 if you have no zip-ties and have to go buy them.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 1
From: www.Z16.org Western NY
Originally Posted by nuke61
The absolute best bang-for-the-buck intake upgrade is the zip-tie mod. Simply take off the top cover, zip-tie the air filter in place, and you'll get a horsepower increase near most of the aftermarket additions. Probably not equal to, but near them, and the total cost will be pennies, or maybe $5 if you have no zip-ties and have to go buy them.
Did the VaraRam on the 02 and it just pulls and pulls. Did the zip tie on the 04 and it pulls and pulls.
Not sure I can tell the difference under 100. Over 100 the nod goes to the VR
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 32
From: Central Florida
Originally Posted by nuke61
The absolute best bang-for-the-buck intake upgrade is the zip-tie mod....
J-Rod has run 11.59 with the "free" zip-tie mod and ET Streets. I've run 3 hundreths faster with a $400 Halltech Tric CAI and drag radials. Very close performance. $400 dollars price difference. One other difference, the zip-tie mod sucks underhood air; a CAI take cooler outside air.
Ranger
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,609
Likes: 4,619
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I like the Blackwing for it's ease of installation, quality and appearance. Looks and fits like it belongs there. Most of the open intakes will give similar increases and results. It is a matter of personal choice. Be sure to install a hoodseal with any open intake.
