I've seen more arguments about what's the best exhaust system than I can count but I've never seen a word about the best intake.

So which is it? The Halltech Stinger, Blackwing, Vortech, VaraRam, what? And better yet...why?

 

The discussions are here, so you might want to do a search. Decide upon a top or bottom breather. Bottom gets cold air, but is more susceptible to water and engine hydrolock. Top rated bottom breathers are the Halltech Trap and Vararam. Top rated top breathers are the Halltech Stinger and Blackwing. Dave68 has a terrific cold air mod that can be done for either of those two. It's on the Halltech site. Hope that helps. I have a Blackwing, and no problems. Will eventually do Daves cold air mod.

 

vararam

 

I think the Vararam and TRAP are the 2 best choices. The Stinger and Blackwing always get good reviews too if you want to spend less coin.

 

I agree, I have The Stinger with Dave’s cool air mod. I think the cool air mod makes it competitive with any other intake that grabs outside air.

 

I've got a twin cone K&N and have been pleased!

 

Vararam cost me 11hp on the dyno. I got a Blackwing.

 

I've got a single K&N including K&N air duct, then Granitelli MAF and ported throttle body going into a Lingenfelter Z06 intake manifold.

Other than that not much.


Oh yeah. A High Performance Hood Seal, too. Almost forgot that one.

 

I'm very happy with my Blackwing.

 

Where do I find this cold air mod?? I did a search but couldn't find anything.

 

Except for the HP Hood Seal...
...the other stuff seems to indicate, what is most important about the intake, may depend upon the other parts that touch the air entering your engine...
...and your intake may determine which of those other parts might be necessary to manage the increase in airflow...


...this is my intake system...

 

Every system you mention is going to give you 10+ RWHP on the dyno.

This is how I rate them out of the box: (cost no object)

1) Halltech TRAP with Tunnel Port
2) Vararam
3) Vortech
4) Halltech Stinger-R
5) Blackwing

Now here's how they rate as "Bang-for-the-Buck"

1) Halltech Stinger-R
2) Blackwing
3) Vararam
4) Vortech
5) Halltech TRAP with Tunnel Port

Now here's how the rate performance-wise when you introduce direct cold air to the massive Stinger-R and Blackwing filters:

1) Halltech TRAP with Tunnel Port
2) Halltech Stinger-R
2) Vararam (very close)
2.5) Blackwing
3) Vortech

Granted, these lists are based upon my opinion only, which in turn is based upon dyno runs, design analysis, and gut feeling. As I mentioned, any of these systems, as well as the new Calloway intake, the K&N FIPK, the twin-tube Volant/K&N, and the Granatelli cold air intake systems are all good choices.

Keep in mind that without cold air, HP is cut back as intake air temps rise above 100F. This is why cold air systems are always preferable if conditions allow. With many, I wouldn't want to regularly drive in monsoon rainstorms, but for an average drive in the rain, there should be no problem with hydrolock.

BTW, if anyone needs to see my CAI procedure, e-mail me and I'll send it out as soon as I can. The supplies cost less than $30 and the effect is noticable.

 

This guy seems stuck on the fact anyone who replaces their stock air box is just wasting their time. He thinks GM made the very best design they could for the Corvette and it is not restrictive. Replacing the box or modifying it is a useless waste of time. We must all be crazy, everyone last one of us who has experienced a real gain by just swapping out the stock air box/lid, it must have never really happened.



http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=911828

 

Not every system is going to give you 10hp out of the box. It depends on what it's going on. I had a Vararam on my stock block supercharged motor. When I went to a 427 stroker I gained 11 hp when the filter was removed. The filter was a bad restriction and I was using the supposed big filter that Vararam offers for bigger motors. I bought the Blackwing. It probably doesn't make the most hp but it's probably up there. I like it's simplicity of design. Sometimes simpler works better. People try to get fancy and complicated and then things get screwed up. If I wasn't so pissed about the Vararam and in a big hurry, I probably would have bought the Haltech TRAP with tunnel port. The Vararam is a cool idea but I don't think they can squeeze enough surface area in the small space. I think a better idea might be to cut the Vararam and leave just the ducts at the front and let them sinply push cool air up into the filter area. I might cut my Vararam and use it to direct air to my Blackwing. Does that sound workable?

 

 

There have been quite a few discussions on the intakes also. I currently have a Blackwing and it does very well. People say that the Stinger is also a very good product. Then of course there is the Vararam, Vortec, etc. Lots of choices to make.