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Air Intake Systems......
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Air Intake Systems......
I know that there is much debate regarding which intake system is the best with the Vararam & Halltech being two popular units. My question is this, is there that much difference between cold air feeder intake systems? I have a Pro-Flow and I would like to know if there is much HP to be had be changing systems to let's say a vararam? Thanks. 
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville NC
I am not familiar with the Pro Flow, but do believe that there are minimal improvements made beyond the initial freeing up of an air intake by replacing the stock with such units as Halltech, Blackwing, etc. The tests that I have read about the Vararam show slight improvement over other aftermarket products after speeds of 65mph. Until that speed, they are all too close to call. Dave68 has an excellent cold air mod linked on the Halltech site. I would do this before replacing a system with the Vararam. http://www.corvettec5.com/Radiator%2...nst_new%20.pdf
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,970
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From: When I say who is the masta you gotsta say Shonuff
The whole air intake business had been beaten to death around here and the answers are all pretty much subjective as to which is best.
I dont think you can go wrong with either the TRIC, TRAP, Blackwing, Vararam, Zip-Tie, Pro-Flow, K&N, etc. as long as it's more free flowing than stock.
I dont think you can go wrong with either the TRIC, TRAP, Blackwing, Vararam, Zip-Tie, Pro-Flow, K&N, etc. as long as it's more free flowing than stock.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Thanks, ACELR8N for mentioning my cold air mod. I'd like to add that although many intake systems produce significant results on the dyno, the biggest differences occur after underhood temps rise up above 100 degrees or so. Our C5s are intelligent enough to know that when intake air temperature rises beyond a certain point, pinging (predetonation) is much more likely, so the timing is dialed back as a preventative measure.
In fact, power can be reduced a whopping 10 HP. A cold air intake setup helps keeps the intake air below the power-cutting threshold. This is why having your car dynoed with the hood open and a fan blasting ambient air at the engine will give you an idea of what your engine and drivetrain in combination are capable of.
Providing ambient air to your intake while driving keeps the RWHP up at dyno levels, whereas cruising along in the city without the advantage of a CAI system and then hammering the gas is akin to walking down the street while bricks are slowly added to your backpack. When it comes time to sprint, you can fully expect your acceleration to be dissapointing at best.
As Jim Hall says, "Cold air rules!"
In fact, power can be reduced a whopping 10 HP. A cold air intake setup helps keeps the intake air below the power-cutting threshold. This is why having your car dynoed with the hood open and a fan blasting ambient air at the engine will give you an idea of what your engine and drivetrain in combination are capable of.
Providing ambient air to your intake while driving keeps the RWHP up at dyno levels, whereas cruising along in the city without the advantage of a CAI system and then hammering the gas is akin to walking down the street while bricks are slowly added to your backpack. When it comes time to sprint, you can fully expect your acceleration to be dissapointing at best.
As Jim Hall says, "Cold air rules!"
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Not sure just how much difference there is between all the systems. I have a Blackwing and like it, but the others seem to work well too. Tough choice to make.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 531
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From: Tucson AZ
Check out the latest "Corvette Fever". They are actually doing dyno testing on several popular combinations to get actual RWHP results. The first part is in the latest issue, tae actual results in the next issue. Hopefully this will answer the question once and for all.