Vararam vs. Blackwing
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Eric Fischer
Here's some info on the Callaway Honker
Karl
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: ft. Worth tx.
Originally Posted by LT-4 CE
Anyone have a link to information about the Ice Box?
For more info you can call the people who sell them when you log on to www.teamzr1.com
They have a phone # on their web page.BTW when you get to the site just click on "products"then "performance' on the next page ,i'll take u directly to the Ice Box...
Last edited by geocor2003; Mar 13, 2006 at 02:03 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
If you already have a black wing I would agree, just get the ice box.
No aftermarket air box is going to give you that much performance above that setup.
It really is fairly simple technology. A higher flowing filter will give you some performance over stock. A filter that can get air from in front of the radiator will give you a little more performance and a filter that can get its air from outside of the hood entirely will give you a little more.
It is not magic like some of the CAI companies try to get us to believe. There are several members that have made their own and I am sure they work just as well as the expensive aftermarket models.
No aftermarket air box is going to give you that much performance above that setup.
It really is fairly simple technology. A higher flowing filter will give you some performance over stock. A filter that can get air from in front of the radiator will give you a little more performance and a filter that can get its air from outside of the hood entirely will give you a little more.
It is not magic like some of the CAI companies try to get us to believe. There are several members that have made their own and I am sure they work just as well as the expensive aftermarket models.
St. Jude Partner since 89
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 774
Likes: 4
From: Lebanon, TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I tried the Ice Box and it did help in bring down the air temperature closer to ambient in back to back tests against the Blackwing but it does not totally seal off the Blackwing from sucking engine air. Also, I didn't care for the looks of it at all.
I have one that I'll sell anybody for half price if anyones interested. Used once.
Random Blackwing, Vararam, Honker thoughts...
I have one that I'll sell anybody for half price if anyones interested. Used once.
Random Blackwing, Vararam, Honker thoughts...
St. Jude Partner since 89
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 774
Likes: 4
From: Lebanon, TN
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by ed98N/A10.61ET
...the varram is better because it takes air from outside the engine bay but, have you seen all of the bends in the plastic. A 90 degree bend is the same thing as adding 2 feet to the intake(HP loss cuz the air has to be sucked so far and throw so many bends) by far the BEST intake out there is the CALLOWAY HONKER!!!!!! chek it out green filter with steel mesh...
The Vararam I just ordered and received Friday has a green filter with steel mesh.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
Originally Posted by ed98N/A10.61ET
the varram is better because it takes air from outside the engine bay but, have you seen all of the bends in the plastic. A 90 degree bend is the same thing as adding 2 feet to the intake(HP loss cuz the air has to be sucked so far and throw so many bends)
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 34,551
Likes: 505
From: Auburn Hills MI
The Honker is more, I think around 180 more.
I just ordered a Vararam from Rick Anthony, 319 shipped free.
I had somekind of unit on the car, not sure which. It went from the airbridge, cut the rad cover and had a box and a scoop under the car.
The filter was shot, the plastic was cracking so I pitched the whole thing and went with the Vararam.
CAI is CAI. Honestly I'd spend the least amount of money possible to get air from the outside. The Vararam at that price seemed decent and I had a crack in one of my fog light brackets so it was a no brainer for me.
Hell you could buy alot more performance for $500 than a Honker, while it might be a nice piece, its still $500 for some molded plastic.
Some of you with LS1 intakes would make more power going with a Ls6 at a cheaper price than some of these CAI's.
I just ordered a Vararam from Rick Anthony, 319 shipped free.
I had somekind of unit on the car, not sure which. It went from the airbridge, cut the rad cover and had a box and a scoop under the car.
The filter was shot, the plastic was cracking so I pitched the whole thing and went with the Vararam.
CAI is CAI. Honestly I'd spend the least amount of money possible to get air from the outside. The Vararam at that price seemed decent and I had a crack in one of my fog light brackets so it was a no brainer for me.
Hell you could buy alot more performance for $500 than a Honker, while it might be a nice piece, its still $500 for some molded plastic.
Some of you with LS1 intakes would make more power going with a Ls6 at a cheaper price than some of these CAI's.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 0
From: Boulder CO.
Anything priced over $300.00 for a CAI is a rip-off to me. I guess is what people refer to as the Corvette Tax. You own a Vette, you pay more.
I was fortunate to be able to pick up a VRB2 used from a friend of mine going to a turbo set-up for a great price.
Still the Vararam is what is delivering the performance a lot of people here have been happy with and able to attest to.
-Goose
I was fortunate to be able to pick up a VRB2 used from a friend of mine going to a turbo set-up for a great price.
Still the Vararam is what is delivering the performance a lot of people here have been happy with and able to attest to.
-Goose
Last edited by Wicked LT1; Mar 13, 2006 at 05:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,219
Likes: 1
From: Somerset Co, NJ
Wow, I was going to go with the Halltech or Blackwing, but I am re-considering the Vararam!
Two questions though:
1 I heard the filter (even the new green ones) are not too good as far as filtering ability on the Vararam? Is this true? (Worried about the engine)
2 I heard that the Vararam will obstruct air flow through the engine compartment, thereby increasing the ambient temp. under the hood (really bad if you have headers) is this true?
Two questions though:
1 I heard the filter (even the new green ones) are not too good as far as filtering ability on the Vararam? Is this true? (Worried about the engine)
2 I heard that the Vararam will obstruct air flow through the engine compartment, thereby increasing the ambient temp. under the hood (really bad if you have headers) is this true?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
Originally Posted by C5Jimmy
Wow, I was going to go with the Halltech or Blackwing, but I am re-considering the Vararam!
Two questions though:
1 I heard the filter (even the new green ones) are not too good as far as filtering ability on the Vararam? Is this true? (Worried about the engine)
Two questions though:
1 I heard the filter (even the new green ones) are not too good as far as filtering ability on the Vararam? Is this true? (Worried about the engine)
There are some that had problems with dirt on the TB, I have never heard of an engine failure attributed to a vararam. I think the dirt problem was probably caused by a bad seal around the filter. I can not be sure of this since it did not happen to me. You have to be very precise and meticulous when you install the vararam and make sure everything lines up and is sealed. Cajun has a good how to.
Originally Posted by C5Jimmy
2 I heard that the Vararam will obstruct air flow through the engine compartment, thereby increasing the ambient temp. under the hood (really bad if you have headers) is this true?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,219
Likes: 1
From: Somerset Co, NJ
Originally Posted by shurite44
I am not sure about the new filter. I ran the HP foam filter in my first C5 and the new thicker foam filter in my second one. I did not see any problems visible to the eye. I did not have any engine problems but I sold both cars with less then 16K on the clock.
There are some that had problems with dirt on the TB, I have never heard of an engine failure attributed to a vararam. I think the dirt problem was probably caused by a bad seal around the filter. I can not be sure of this since it did not happen to me. You have to be very precise and meticulous when you install the vararam and make sure everything lines up and is sealed. Cajun has a good how to.
Ok, on a Z06 yes, because it does not have fog light shrouds and cooling air comes in through the fog light opening, but on a C5 this is not true. There is no air available through the fog light area on a stock C5. Since that is where the vararam installs it changes nothing as far as under hood cooling. Although headers will increase your underhood temperature that really has nothing to do with a vararam, unless of course as I stated you have a Z06.
There are some that had problems with dirt on the TB, I have never heard of an engine failure attributed to a vararam. I think the dirt problem was probably caused by a bad seal around the filter. I can not be sure of this since it did not happen to me. You have to be very precise and meticulous when you install the vararam and make sure everything lines up and is sealed. Cajun has a good how to.
Ok, on a Z06 yes, because it does not have fog light shrouds and cooling air comes in through the fog light opening, but on a C5 this is not true. There is no air available through the fog light area on a stock C5. Since that is where the vararam installs it changes nothing as far as under hood cooling. Although headers will increase your underhood temperature that really has nothing to do with a vararam, unless of course as I stated you have a Z06.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: Miami Fl
i also have a 00 frc and i want the vararam myself cause of the cooler air,hot air equals less timing cause the computer pulls it,by the way i pulled half a car on a c6 today so i'm really happy with the frc,GROUP PURCHASE would be nice,anyone?
St. Jude Partner since 89
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 774
Likes: 4
From: Lebanon, TN
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by shurite44
There are no 90 degree bends in a vararam. Have you actually used a vararam at the track?
Looking at this new green filter - it could stand to be one inch wider. If you align it with a half inch on either side, it looks like it will seal but if you get it off the slightest or if it moves - you're sucking unfiltered air. I'm on the hunt for the K&N part number to see how well it fits. I've heard you have to trim it but I'd rather have it too big and trim it down vs. not wide enough. Anybody using the K&N with the Vararam?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 2
From: Chicago-NW Burbs Illinois
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: ft. Worth tx.
Quote[Nithros]I have one that I'll sell anybody for half price if anyones interested. Used once.
Do you mean you have a complete Icebox unit for sale,& its intact with all the hardware it was shipped with?If so I'm interested ,please reply if you're serious,or PM me...thanx George
Do you mean you have a complete Icebox unit for sale,& its intact with all the hardware it was shipped with?If so I'm interested ,please reply if you're serious,or PM me...thanx George
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 1
From: Branford Connecticut
Originally Posted by NoOne
The Honker is more, I think around 180 more.
CAI is CAI. Honestly I'd spend the least amount of money possible to get air from the outside. The Vararam at that price seemed decent and I had a crack in one of my fog light brackets so it was a no brainer for me.
Hell you could buy alot more performance for $500 than a Honker, while it might be a nice piece, its still $500 for some molded plastic.
CAI is CAI. Honestly I'd spend the least amount of money possible to get air from the outside. The Vararam at that price seemed decent and I had a crack in one of my fog light brackets so it was a no brainer for me.
Hell you could buy alot more performance for $500 than a Honker, while it might be a nice piece, its still $500 for some molded plastic.
With all due respect, all CAI is not created the same. Reducing inlet air temperature is very important, but the airflow path is at least just as important. As fluid dynamics suggests, our engineers found that the most direct path generates the least turbulence and flow restriction, ultimately providing more available air mass to the engine. Simplifying the flow path, maximizing radii around bends, and eliminating the restrictive "air bridge" were all primary objectives when the Honker was designed for the C5. In addition, filter element design and ease of maintenance were also addressed in the Honker's development.
Again I appreciate your opinion, but many of us have spent a lot more than $490 to bolt-on 18 hp (That's what our dyno testing revealed on a stock LS1, SAE-corrected). Personally, I happen to think that $490 for 18 hp is an excellent dollars to horsepower ratio.