How is the Vortech Rammer Air Intake.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 27
From: Roberts WI
How is the Vortech Rammer Air Intake.
I found a really good deal on a vortech rammer intake with the air bridge and was wondering how good it is, what kind of gains? It seems like its similar to the vararam with the whole ram air set up, correct me if im wrong. Let me know what you guys think about it. Thanks 
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Boise Idaho
I have it on my car and like it.. I came with the car when I bought it..
From experience any intake is going to help you out.. one might be a little bit better then some.. but if you can get a good deal I wouuld say jump on it...
From experience any intake is going to help you out.. one might be a little bit better then some.. but if you can get a good deal I wouuld say jump on it...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
The Vortex rammer will give you some gains however it is a bottom breather. Several members have hydro locked their engines while using the Vortex Rammer. If I were you I would go with the Vararam if I was going to go with a cold air intake. The Vararam is not a bottom breather and is less likely to cause hydro lock.
Last edited by Mitch C; May 16, 2005 at 07:47 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
I have had it for a total of 4.5 years on two C5's and never had issues, including through major rain.
I've heard the hydrolock stories but frankly am curious how in the world they occur. True, the opening's on the bottom, but the filter is above the level of hte radiator shroud, or in other words, a long way off the ground. If you're plowing enough water with the air dam to drive it up that far...
The other nice thing about the vortex is you can now get them cheap. The vararam is the current 'hottest intake' (I've seen many over the years) so many are selling their vortex's on the web.
Also, see the post by A&A regarding the vararam filter...
I've heard the hydrolock stories but frankly am curious how in the world they occur. True, the opening's on the bottom, but the filter is above the level of hte radiator shroud, or in other words, a long way off the ground. If you're plowing enough water with the air dam to drive it up that far...
The other nice thing about the vortex is you can now get them cheap. The vararam is the current 'hottest intake' (I've seen many over the years) so many are selling their vortex's on the web.
Also, see the post by A&A regarding the vararam filter...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Originally Posted by yellow01
I have had it for a total of 4.5 years on two C5's and never had issues, including through major rain.
I've heard the hydrolock stories but frankly am curious how in the world they occur. True, the opening's on the bottom, but the filter is above the level of hte radiator shroud, or in other words, a long way off the ground. If you're plowing enough water with the air dam to drive it up that far...
The other nice thing about the vortex is you can now get them cheap. The vararam is the current 'hottest intake' (I've seen many over the years) so many are selling their vortex's on the web.
Also, see the post by A&A regarding the vararam filter...
I've heard the hydrolock stories but frankly am curious how in the world they occur. True, the opening's on the bottom, but the filter is above the level of hte radiator shroud, or in other words, a long way off the ground. If you're plowing enough water with the air dam to drive it up that far...
The other nice thing about the vortex is you can now get them cheap. The vararam is the current 'hottest intake' (I've seen many over the years) so many are selling their vortex's on the web.
Also, see the post by A&A regarding the vararam filter...
Driving thru heavy rain is not the problem with the Vortex. It's when you drive thru a deep puddle or standing water that can cause your engine to hydro lock. As far as the Vararams filter goes, just use a K&N filter for everyday driving and you won't have a problem. The foam filter should not be used for everyday driving.
Do yourself a favor do a search on hydro lock & CAIs. Then draw your own conclusion about which CAI to go with.
Last edited by Mitch C; May 16, 2005 at 08:01 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by Mitch C
The Vortex rammer will give you some gains however it is a bottom breather. Several members have hydro locked their engines while using the Vortex Rammer. If I were you I would go with the Vararam if I was going to go with a cold air intake. The Vararam is not a bottom breather and is less likely to cause hydro lock.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Originally Posted by Korreck
Mitch, are you saying the Vararam is NOT a bottom breather? If so, how do you define a bottom breather?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by Mitch C
The Vararam is not a bottom breather, since it draws air from the front of your car(the grill). The Vortex is a bottom breather because it draws air from below the shroud once you cut a hole in it. Any of the CAIs that draw cooler air in this manner are considered bottom breathers (at least that is my understanding).
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Wakefield R.I.
Had one on my 97 for 5 years with out problems and I did ALOT of driving in heavy rain.
If you like this style look at West Coast Corvette's Hurricane
for around $299.00 or Callaway's Honker for $499.00
If you go to Carlise in August you will find the Vortex used from $125.00 and up and a new one for Under $200.00.
Vararam will cost you somewhere around $325.00 shipped plus the K&N(an absolute must) @ $45-$60.00
Good luck
If you like this style look at West Coast Corvette's Hurricane
for around $299.00 or Callaway's Honker for $499.00
If you go to Carlise in August you will find the Vortex used from $125.00 and up and a new one for Under $200.00.
Vararam will cost you somewhere around $325.00 shipped plus the K&N(an absolute must) @ $45-$60.00
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
Originally Posted by Korreck
Thanks Mitch. I see where you're coming from. I would call the Vararam a bottom breather and the Vortex a breather. Reason is that the Vararam intakes air at the bottom of the car.
The opening for the vararam is at the front of hte car, not underneath it.
The vortex takes air from underneath the car.
It should be noted that there is significant variation in the location of the filter in the so called CAI intakes for the C5. This will affect the risk of water injestion.
While the vortex takes air from underneath the filter is above the level of the shroud, essentially in the same place as the blackwing but open. In some of the Halltech versions the filter is much lower.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Waveland MS
Here we go again... 
I have the Vortex intake, and the inlet for the filter appears to be higher then the location of my screens, which are by the fog lights. So, I would say the inlet for the Vortex is higher then the Vararam (if it is truly down by the fog lights). However, that is just the air inlet itself. The location where the greatest delta pressure occurs, which is where I call the actual location to be concerned with, is probably the same on both of them. Others should be able to chime in on this one. Although I don't have the Vararam, if it is located where I believe (by the lights), it is the same height or lower than the Vortex.
However, I've heard they both work very well. I have the Vortex and it rocks. I think everyone prefers whichever one they have because they all seem to work well. The performance difference between the two is probably negligible.
I have the Vortex intake, and the inlet for the filter appears to be higher then the location of my screens, which are by the fog lights. So, I would say the inlet for the Vortex is higher then the Vararam (if it is truly down by the fog lights). However, that is just the air inlet itself. The location where the greatest delta pressure occurs, which is where I call the actual location to be concerned with, is probably the same on both of them. Others should be able to chime in on this one. Although I don't have the Vararam, if it is located where I believe (by the lights), it is the same height or lower than the Vortex.However, I've heard they both work very well. I have the Vortex and it rocks. I think everyone prefers whichever one they have because they all seem to work well. The performance difference between the two is probably negligible.
