Sounds like a lot of hype. 15% of 400 is 60 and there is no kit that is going to give you anywhere near that kind of improvement. If you do a search here on the forum you will find there are a few cold air intakes that will give you a few more HP. Vararam, Halltech, the Lingenfelter kit, and others. The installs are pretty straight forward and you can do it yourself.

 

One of the current Vette mags had an article that stated you could increase your hp at least 15% by installing a cold air kit.

What would be the best brand to install in an 01 C5? How much would it cost with installation?

 

If you live in California, think twice about the Vararam, as it can be a royal pain to install/uninstall/reinstall for smog tests. If you live in a state that doesn't have visual inspections, then take a look at the following (grouped by cold air and non-cold air, but in no particular order) and my comments, if any:

Vararam: Brings cold air in through the fog light panel area to a panel-type filter. Owners have had good luck with system on the dragstrip, but plan on spending hours to install and a bit more to get everything lined up well. Downside: Eliminates engine bay-cooling air that would've come in from the fog light panels (Z06 or coupe/vert with opened-up panels), so the engine bay may end up being toastier, especially if you add headers later. $250-$350

Vortech Rammer: Brings cold air up from in front of the radiator and into an enclosed box. Its filter is quite a bit smaller than the Halltech Warhead or Blackwing unit. $250

Callaway Honker intake system: This one relocates the MAF so that it is just in front of the throttlebody. It directs cold air from underneath and costs about $500. I believe this unit is 50 states legal (smogwise). Excellent design and quality. If cost is no object, this bad boy should be at the top of your list. As with the Vararam, engine bay temps may get a bit toasty if you have headers.

K&N FIPK: This is more of a semi-cold air system, as the cold air intake opening is more of a slit, rather than a full-blown opening. Its filter endcaps are carbon fiber. However, it is configured similarly to the Halltech Stinger-R and is 50-states legal. $350

Warm air systems: (Easy installation)

Halltech Stinger-R: Not only contains the massive Warhead filter, but also includes a larger-than-stock airbridge and smooth throttlebody coupler. For $300.00 or less, this system represents one of the best bangs for the buck. Fortunately, for about $40, you can add cold air induction. See my procedure at http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm

Halltech Stinger SSM – 2001-2004 C5 only (new!): This intake system features an even larger filter than that of the Stinger-R, TRAP, and Blackwing. $350

Blackwing: Includes just a large filter, but an excellent one at that. Its cost is close to that of the Stinger.

Volant Twin Cone: This system gives you more open filter surface area than any stock box does and is well suited to an engine bay that gets cold air in from the fog light panels, as the filters are more or less in the air flow path. $265

2002+ Z06 airbox cover: A larger opening allows more air to be drawn in through the filter. Expect up to a 5 RWHP gain from this simple swap. $50

Zip-tie: An easy and inexpensive mod (eliminates the OEM box’s upper lid), but its sealing ability is questionable at best.

How good are they? My experience has shown that most will bump up RWHP by at least 10. The advantage of having cold air is that power will not be "dialed down" under conditions causing high engine bay temps.

 

[QUOTE=tiojames]Sounds like a lot of hype. 15% of 400 is 60 and there is no kit that is going to give you anywhere near that kind of improvement.QUOTE]

Sorry, I should have stated 15hp more not 15%.



Still 15hp or even 10 is not too bad for what it costs.

 

I always say In (Most Cases) Whatever the ad says for HP ratings, cut that In half at least, except for like Headers, H/C Superchargers ect... I like the Hurricane Intake and the Honker the best. I know guys who use them both and say nothing but good things about them.