Well, I installed the new Callaway Honker on my '04 Z06 this past week and I thought I would share the results. This is not intended to do anything other than provide results of just one more intake that in my opinion is worth taking a serious look at.

Based on an HP Tuner scan, there was a considerable increase in grams per cycl everywhere, but it was most noticeable in my low and mid range. It was consuming more air than the Vararam B2 did at a cooler temp ( sub 80 degrees )
The scan was done at 95+ degree temps. Altitude was the same for both scans.
There was a noticable increase in throttle response because with the Callaway, the MAF is relocated next to the TB, just like the new C6.
Also, in all fairness, the green Wick filter is much larger than the Vararam or any other filter I've used ( Halltech included )
The quality is what you would come to expect from Callaway, as the price reflects this too ( $490.00 )
It was an easy install which required cutting the shroud, but Callaway includes a template that made it that much easier. You have to rivet the filter holder to the shroud so Callaway includes the rivets and drill bit in it's parts.
The gentleman who tunes my car I'm sure will chime in soon to answer any techie questions.

Give it a look see and deceide for yourself.


Stano

 

Thanks for reporting. I have been considering this intake.

And the million dollar question...HP/TQ gains?

 

I'm not close to a dyno, but based on driving impressions, torque is definately up and hp should be as well. We both agreed that in the 104+ temps ( actually it's been more like 109-116 ) here in the desert (2500 ft.) the car ran very well. We were both impressed to say the least. If I remember correctly, the grams per cycl in the sub 80's scan vs. the 95+ were different by 3-4 grams. My friend who is tuning my car has all that info.
I was just down in Ventura where it was in the 60's and low 70's and my car just pulled and hauled butt like it never has.

 

You have a pic?

 

I know with the Vararam people dabated whether it might be a problem driving in heavy rain type situations ...re: hydrolock. Whether or not true, would this be more or less of an issue with the Honker ?

 

This is a good report. Nice list of mods. This really seems like a well thought out intake. Did you need tuning after the install to make it run right or were you just checking? I go to Carlisle every year and Calloway is there. I just hope that this year they will be there doing installs. Breathless performance is there each year cleaning up on intakes.exhausts,shifters,and more. Like to see calloway do the same.

 

So I take it that you had a Vararam on the car before installing the Honker, correct? If that is the case, then are you satisifed with the money spent and the performance gained over and above the Vararam's level of performance? - Do you feel like it was money well spent?

I've looked at the intake, and I really like the looks of it, but I don't want to switch until I can see some concrete evidence. Thanks for posting on it, though - it does confirm some of my own thoughts concerning the intake and it's apparent quality.

 

Callaway.com has pic's and as far as water injestion, I don't see any difference over the stock intake.
Because we had more manifold pressure and two spots where I had very slight knocking, we pulled some timing in a couple of places, but not much, maybe one degree. Otherwise, I don't think a tune is necessary. In fact, I would like to set it back to where it was and see how it performs at sea level now that I've tested it with the minor tweaks at sea level and cooler temps. I personally think it pulled better off throttle without the tweaks, but until I can try it, I won't know for sure.
I'm very happy with the results to say the least. Callaway in my opinion did a great job with this set-up. It seems to have pulled everything I've done to my car together nicely.

 

Yes.
You know, I was thinking about that the other day while I was installing it. I was concerned about the cost benefits. My friend who tuned my car and I both agreed ( and he was skeptical about what it would do if anything ) the cost was well worth the money spent.
I'm shipping my Vararam out tomorrow as I've sold it for $190.00
That helped to offset the cost, so yes, I'd do it again.

 

Ttt

 

Thanks for the review.

 

I knew that system would work!i was going to get it before i went with my cowl induction hood.Callaway=Quality work.nice going.did you mention your h.p/torque.gains?

 

490$ for an INTAKE????

AY MUCHACO

 

I also have been very interested but am concerned about the water issue. It seems nearly every intake that cuts the shroud are the ones you hear about with hydrolock. Too bad there is not some sort of scoop on the underpart of the shroud also to block splashing or debris from hitting the filter. Or is it just mounted too high for any of that to be a problem?

 

The cutout in the shroud for most of the CAI systems I've seen is even higher than the fog light "scoops", so if anyone is crazy enough to try to cross a foot-high stream of water - good luck, even with an OEM setup!

 

Stano

Glad you got good results.

You say its bigger than the Haltech filter.....thats pretty big. I have the Trap.

I would love to see it next time you come down


DH

 

Does this system also have any effect on the intake-sound? My blackwing gives me a very nice sound - is the honker comparable?

Cheers,
Johannes (from Germany)

 

Right now it has no sound...I guess I'm getting more torque than I think...my rear diff gave out last night
Oh well, good excuse to consider different gears
You "pay to play" as they say
But to answer your question, it sounded fine to me. Sound is pretty subjective to each person though.

 

Thanks for your reply.

A couple of questions - Vararam claims a "up to 40 HP increase" while the Callaway site says the Honker is worth 16 HP. Looking at the numbers, the Honker wouldn't really be a competitor. Did Callaway have any way to justify the $120 price differential between their product and the Vararam or did you ask?

I did have a Halltech TRIC several years back and got rid of it due to fear of water injestion due to the area I was living in. Otherwise, it was an awesome intake and worth every penny.... therefore if the Honker is similar (and it appears to be) it could definitely be 'the real deal'.

Also - would it be possible for you to post some pictures of underneath the shroud? I'd like to see what the filter looks like and whatthe rest of the product looks like - about all I can see from the picture on the website is a (albeit nice looking) filter cover that feeds into the MAF/TB. Thanks!

 

It'll be awhile but I'll see what I can do on the pics.