I got about 1/2 way through my Vararam install and said screw it.

Granted, it does work, it works well, but it is a total piece construction wise. I had riveted on Z06 screens and my choice was to take them off and hope the rest of the install goes smooth or send it back.

I sent it back.

If you have patience and can get it to fit, then its for you.

The Honker which I replaced it with, although twice the cost really is an OE quality piece.

I'm not fan of overpriced parts with Corvette tax which I thought the Honker would turn out to be until I got it.

Its a way better piece of plastic, fits like a glove and is very smartly put together for filter changes and cleaning.

Yes, you can feel the $200 price difference considering they give you everything you need for the install including the right drill bit.

I bought my Honker with 2K miles on it from a forum member so luckily I got the shroud all ready to go. It took me exactly 25 minutes to install and that included swapping the shroud!

Vararam is a case and a half job easily.

The thing is in my mind, for the number of them they sell they could improve the piece, mark it up a bit more and give everyone less headaches.

If you look around you can find the Honker for even cheaper than the previous member mentioned, just have to look a bit. For that price its a no brainer.

 

With all due respect, Honker design is much different than the Vortex design.

1. Eliminates the restrictive over-the-radiator "air bridge", and the turbulence it creates. Relocates the C5's mass air flow sensor to close-couple it with the throttle body. No other aftermarket intake system for C5 has this design element.

2. Design provides uni-directional air path from filter element to throttle body. Main duct was CAD-designed to provide maximum air flow.

3. Panel-style filter element configuration also reduces turbulence, compared to oval filter.

Printed with permission of Vette Magazine, Primedia.
August 2005 issue:





This cutaway illustrates the C6 Honker, but it is similar to the C5 design. (Chevrolet already positions the MAF sensor adjacent to the throttle body in the C6.)

 

I just installed my Vararam this weekend and I am seriously thinking about taking it off. It is such a POS, Nothing lines up. The air tubes dont sit right on the filter, there is no way to align it so the filter gets a good seal. I am very disapointed.
I can feel a differance in performance, but at what cost? Who knows how much un-filtered air is getting through.

 

Click the VaraRam link in my sig to see my install. I will be removing it soon. I'm either going with the Callaway Honker or the new Volant with air box.



The VaraRam gives great performance, no doubt about it. I just can't live with the quality (or complete lack there of). It is a total POS. It is far from worthy of being on a Corvette.

 

I just removed my Vararam and went to the Honker as well. Saw an installation of someone's Honker and was impressed with the quality and most of all, the filter.

Not sure if there is any performance difference, but the idle quality with my cam has definitely gotten much better with the Honker. I have a feeling it is because the response time between the MAF and throttle body is better because the MAF is moved to right in front of it. I didn't think the Vararam was that bad, but for me the improvements I have gotten from the switch have been worth it.

 

it's a bit special because of the quality of it.
how many posts mention the quality of the vararam?

are the "consistent gains at the track" worth the ever-present worry of sand in your engine due to the lack of filtration on a daily driver?

 

After lengthy research into Vararam and Honker,I decided to go with the Honker. Primarily, factory looks, ease of install and quality built. Basically personal taste.

 

Is anyone worried about Hydrolock with the Honker? I also think its looks like the best one but have been afraid to do it because of reading about a member or two that did lock their engines after hitting some standing water. Would love to hear more about this aspect of it.

 

from the last picture posted it looks like the c6 one has a larger air inlet design as opposed to the c5's more pinched looking one.

What is up with that???

 

just dont go mud riding and dont run into VERY large puddles at speed.

I have had a few friends hydro their cars......its not easy, but it can be done. Just use your brain, dont hit puddles that splash all over the car and such.

 

Also wondering if it needs to be re-tuned to take full advantage because of the large air increase or will it do the re-learn like most others? I now have a Blackwing.

 

Can also be done with the stock setup, there is a warning in the manual about it.

 

If you are looking for quality of fit, finish, and function the Honker is the best out there. It looks factory and it is a true CAI.

 

For what it's worth, I am glad to see someone finally moved the MAF closer to the TB.. I had the idea of doing this years ago but never tinkered with it..

Also I am sure the same thing can be done with the Vararam.. There is plenty of room.. I may actually move my MAF and try it..

 

I have discussed the Hydrolock issue with three different technicians that have over twenty five years experience with corvettes. To a man NONE of them have EVER seen a hydrolock situation PERIOD! I have discussed hydrolock with five dealers and two tuners that have over seventy years of experience and all of them have NEVER seen one car much less a corvette that experienced hydrolock!

Course I am sure we will now hear many horror stories as I have opened the flood gates, so to speak

 

I just recently purchased the Callaway Honker and I love it. I wish I had bought it sooner. I originally purchased a Halltech Stinger. I saw a very slight gain with that system, but in all honesty it was hard to tell a difference in performance. Well, I took a chance and bought the Honker. I noticed a nice SOTP increase in performance over the Stinger (which was already even better than stock). Car was much, much more responsive. It even gave the car a deeper exhaust note (what that's worth I don't know, but I thought it was an interesting change). However, as for answering your question.....

The Vararam is a proven, track-tested performer. You will notice a power increase and that power increase will probably be at least as good as a Honker. I haven't taken my car to the track, so I can't verify performance increases. I think probably the biggest problem is that there aren't too many people with Honkers that have documented track performance increases. This is simply because not that many people have Honkers. All I can give is you a SOTP-meter, which I drive my car a lot and I like to think I am "in tune" with my car. My SOTP-meter says you won't be disappointed with a Honker. Is it faster than a Vararam, I can't verify that. However it gives great performance and is quality-made.

 

Why does the C5 version have an accordian coupler and the C6 does not.

I have an LS2 (C6) throttle body ....... will the C6 fit ??


DH

 

I think that it was shown that a non-accordian coupler smoothes out the air flow and eliminates pulsing air waves resulting in a few extra ponies, for whatever that is worth

 

I had talked with Keith at Tony's Corvette Shop in MD and he said the Honker gets 16 hp at the wheels. My 2003 Stock LS1 hp was 291. With headders, Xpipe, high flow cats, corsa pace ex, and the honker the hp went up by 43hp and so did the tq! I now have 334 at the wheels which is a bit concervative. The sea level, 60 ambient degree temp correction is much higher, with 407 at the flywheel.

Hands down the calloway honker is the one to get.

side note the honker has a 90 degree bent threadded outlet fitting that does not let the stock hose fit. so i went to a hard ware store and got a straight version that gives me about 1 inch more length so the hose wont come off.

 

I have seen one hydrolock but it was in a Ford Ranger that got submerged in 4.5 feet of river.... I have the VaraRam and its VERY wet up here in the northwest and have never had any water related issues. I have however had A LOT or fitment issues with filter and would NOT RECOMMEND anyone buy this filter until they really work out the filter sealing issues.

-Ken