vararam or honker? help
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
Originally Posted by Frankie2blue
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.
My reservation was, and still is, the possibillity of hydrolock.
It's a bottom feeder.I too would be interested in hearing about anyone hydrolocking with one of these.
Living here in the "Valley of the Sun" it doesn't rain much. That was one of the "pros"! But when it does rain it's commonly a downpour. The ground out here is like concrete and water isn't hardly absorbed causing rapid flooding. I know two people that have locked their C5's up out here in the "Valley of the Sun" !
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
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
DH
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 301
From: North shore,Ma./Naples Florida
I know of two people that hyydrolocked with this unit. Only one actually ruined the engine. You can do a search on here and find one of them. That aside, Callaway makes great stuff and it is by far the best looking unit out there. I never considered the Vararam. They have had more than enough time to get the issues together and have not bothered to make the improvements. I wonder how much improvement the Honker would actually be over a blackwing with cooler ambient temps?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by Frankie2blue
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.
I say hydolock with a honker is
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Originally Posted by Dirty Howie
Right !!! ...... so why the accordian on the C5 version ????
DH
DH
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by striper
The ribs are only on the outside, the inside is smooth. Callaway told me the ribs are for flexibility. I had a BPP Vortex on my first C5. After seeing the Callaway display at Carlisle, when I got my Z06 there was no other intake I was considering. There are dramatic differences in design and quality between the Vortex and the Honker, or any other intake for that matter. Even the people who are satisfied with the performance of the Vararam complain about the quality. I have yet to read of any Honker owners complain about anything regarding this intake. I have had mine on for almost a year now and I'm completely satisfied.
DH
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 7,727
Likes: 7
From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by striper
I have yet to read of any Honker owners complain about anything regarding this intake. I have had mine on for almost a year now and I'm completely satisfied.
I think it is a nice,well built unit,I do not think it will outperform the Vararam ever....
But, it DID have some fitment issues,it basically sat a little to high.
The tabs that were supposed to fit in the radiator shroud,don't get close enough to lock down
I had concerns the hood may not shut properly, but it seems to be fine
Sorry, just had to let you know there are some complaints....
The carb rating for the c-5 is a BIG plus though, in my book
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 301
From: North shore,Ma./Naples Florida
Has anyone seen any gain over a Blackwing with open shrouds?( I know the Blackwing will lose HP when warm underhood air gets to it) The Honker is supposed to flow the most air, at least it has one of the largest filter areas. Does it end up causing a lean condition that requires tuning to get the real benefits, or will it re-learn like most of the other intakes?
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
A tune would be beneficial, but not absolutely necessary. I will offer this up though, when I dynoed my car I didn't realize the K&N in my car was a little dirty (not to the eye). We blew it out with compressed air and the next pull went up by 11 HP. The point I am trying to make, and one of the reasons I went from Vararam to Honker, was to maximize my filter area on a CAI.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 81
From: Fishin' Pole FL
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: Portland Oregon
I personally don't want to throw this supporting vendor under the bus. I have talked to the owner of Vararam several times on the phone, he returned my call on his own dime and his own time and is a damn nice guy. They are trying to address the filter fitment issues and I am sure they will come up with a solution. The latest version fits pretty well, the lid has been redesigned and the gaskets have also been worked on. I would really just like to have one of the old "crappy" foam filters back, at least we knew it fit! When they do it it worked out you really cannot beat the design for forcing air into the intake and it MAKES POWER.
-Ken
-Ken
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 301
From: North shore,Ma./Naples Florida
I'm tired of speculating on this thing. Corvettes of Houston (who is a supporting Vendor) gave me a really good deal on one so it is now on its way. I'll stick it in an see how I like it next week.It's got to be at least as good as the Blackwing. Has anyone who has installed one also put a protective screen over the filter area on the bottom or not?Would love to hear any fitment issues or ideas.
Last edited by Frankie2blue; Jun 16, 2006 at 07:57 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
Originally Posted by Frankie2blue
I'm tired of speculating on this thing. Corvettes of Houston (who is a supporting Vendor) gave me a really good deal on one so it is now on its way. I'll stick it in a see how I like it next week.It's got to be at least as good as the Blackwing. Has anyone who has installed one also put a protective screen over the filter area on the bottom or not?Would love to hear any fitment issues or ideas.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
Originally Posted by Frankie2blue
How did you mount the screen? Any ideas are appreciated. Also, how wide is the mesh on the screen?
I talked to a fellow at the last session who had installed his Honker while the car wasa on a dyno he said 20 hp gain same day same dyno. The best bang for the buck he had added!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta GA
I have tested both systems on the track and at the shop dyno with both generations of C5 and C6 corvettes. And the Callaway HONKER was best for power overall others. The Vortex box intake does better than the Vararam system. Just telling you the facts. Installation is easier on the HONKER too. Spend the extra money and get the tuned after to achive your moneys worth out of any of the intakes you buy. Tuning with LS edit not the little hand held units. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 301
From: North shore,Ma./Naples Florida
Originally Posted by ErnieN85
Actually I used the radiator screen from Mid america. it lays across the bottom of the front cover and slides above the front cover mounting bolts. i won't keep out things like grass but it has been a big help in keeping the radiator area clean. The honker also looks clean after sever months and over 2,000 miles and two weekend track sessions.
I talked to a fellow at the last session who had installed his Honker while the car wasa on a dyno he said 20 hp gain same day same dyno. The best bang for the buck he had added!
I talked to a fellow at the last session who had installed his Honker while the car wasa on a dyno he said 20 hp gain same day same dyno. The best bang for the buck he had added!