Best CAI for the C5?! Help!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 120
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From: R.G.V TEXAS
Best CAI for the C5?! Help!
I'm kind of new to the Vette world, and I want to buy the best performing CAI for the best price. I'm a college student so I need to spend smart. Input is greatly appreciated! 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Have you tried the search yet? There are at least 10 intake systems available from the aftermarket and everyone that answers will have different opinions. The CALLAWAY "HONKER" seems to be the hottest, latest "I gotta have one" system, but it's almost $500.00. It's very complete and looks oem. You do have to cut the shroud to make it a true cold air intake. Some systems are just replacement air cleaners which are better than stock, but most apparently do not produce the claimed horsepower. You can buy better quality drop in filters to replace your oem in the oem air filter housing for about $50.00.
One innovative CF member figured out a very clever way to convert his oem filter housing into a DIY "HONKER". It does require cutting the shroud and using only half of your oem filter housing.
I put the popular SLP/DONALDSON "BLACKWING" system on my '04 Z16. (I'm also new to Corvettes btw). At first I used the filter and larger air bridge/silicone connector hoses only, so it wasn't a true cold air system.
I located an "ice box cover", cut the oem shroud and made the system "cold air". I've decided to sell the system and have it listed in the classifieds. It's a complete system with silicone connector hoses, stainless T-bolt clamps, larger air bridge, collar adapter, BLACKWING filter and ice box cover. I used it for about 300 miles. The listing is here...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...kwing+for+sale
One innovative CF member figured out a very clever way to convert his oem filter housing into a DIY "HONKER". It does require cutting the shroud and using only half of your oem filter housing.
I put the popular SLP/DONALDSON "BLACKWING" system on my '04 Z16. (I'm also new to Corvettes btw). At first I used the filter and larger air bridge/silicone connector hoses only, so it wasn't a true cold air system.
I located an "ice box cover", cut the oem shroud and made the system "cold air". I've decided to sell the system and have it listed in the classifieds. It's a complete system with silicone connector hoses, stainless T-bolt clamps, larger air bridge, collar adapter, BLACKWING filter and ice box cover. I used it for about 300 miles. The listing is here...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...kwing+for+sale
Last edited by hotwheels57; Dec 9, 2006 at 07:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
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. $300-$400
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.
K&N FIPK: This is more of a semi-cold air system, as the cold air intake opening is more of a slit. 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 $350.00 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. < $400
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 normally hot underhood (and intake air) conditions. You could easily lose 10 HP with a warm air system after engine bay temps rise during slow-moving conditions. Cold air prevents this from happening.
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. $300-$400
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.
K&N FIPK: This is more of a semi-cold air system, as the cold air intake opening is more of a slit. 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 $350.00 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. < $400
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 normally hot underhood (and intake air) conditions. You could easily lose 10 HP with a warm air system after engine bay temps rise during slow-moving conditions. Cold air prevents this from happening.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,448
Likes: 4
From: Sarasota Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
I just dropped serious coin on the Honker and just based on looking at it I'm not sorry I did (of course it's not installed yet, so no numbers). OTOH, the more I look at these things the more convinced I become that most of them are hype 90% of the time. The factory Z06 airbox will get you the majority of the bang to be had and is very cheap used. Definitely the most bang for the buck imo, and if you're trying to maximize that, this is the way to go.
Last edited by Gannet; Dec 10, 2006 at 07:32 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 1
From: Branford Connecticut
Originally Posted by Gannet
I just dropped serious coin on the Honker and just based on looking at it I'm not sorry I did (of course it's not installed yet, so no numbers). OTOH, the more I look at these things the more convinced I become that most of them are hype 90% of the time. The factory Z06 airbox will get you the majority of the bang to be had and is very cheap used. Definitely the most bang for the buck imo, and if you're trying to maximize that, this is the way to go.
Stock 399.9 rwhp
w/Honker 419.4 rwhp
w/Honker & tuning 432.2 rwhp
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: R.G.V TEXAS
Great feedback guys, thanks a million!!! NICE ONE! DNDRSN, LOL my cousin had a 00 Vette and came up with that exact same (filp it) mod about 3 years ago but I thought that it was ghetto and probably didn't work
. Wow it makes sense now great idea, I'll probably go with a Z06 lid, the Flip-It mod & $400 extra buck instead of buying the Honker 
DNDRSN, LOL my cousin had a 00 Vette and came up with that exact same (filp it) mod about 3 years ago but I thought that it was ghetto and probably didn't work. Wow it makes sense now great idea, I'll probably go with a Z06 lid, the Flip-It mod & $400 extra buck instead of buying the Honker
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
SEARCH!! There are no fewer than 1000 threads on this. I wish threads like "best CAI", "best exhaust", and "what is the best cam" would start getting locked down.
FWIW: I prefer Vararam. The search will tell you exactly why.
FWIW: I prefer Vararam. The search will tell you exactly why.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,448
Likes: 4
From: Sarasota Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by mcv
Thanks for choosing Honker. It's really not hype, though. We've measured almost 20 hp on the dyno here on otherwise stock C5 engines by just adding the Honker. Modified Corvettes (heads, cams, headers, PCM calibration, etc.) exhibit even more improvement. But if you don't believe manufacturers' reports, here's an article that Vette magazine published reporting on a test performed by MTI in Georgia. Callaway was not involved with this test at all.
There are a number of units that don't draw in cold air, and don't offer any significant reduction in restriction compared to a Z06 box or a stock box with judicious holes drilled in it. They do often look cool. Those I consider mostly hype. They aren't terrible, they just aren't worth a couple of hundred dollars unless you're just buying the looks.
The fact is (imo) the stock system is pretty darn good and if you open it up a little it is better yet. It fits right, it looks right, it works right. The inlet is a little too restrictive due to noise regulations, but other than that it's fine. Going to a well-engineered cold air or ram air system is a whole 'nother matter. Even there, the "rebadged" CAI units I see offered by a bunch of different vendors (all the same unit, vendor name silk-screened on) will probably do most of what any CAI will do. They just look tacky imo. I wanted an OEM look (I used to work in GM engineering, I'm fussy), and I liked the MAF relocation, so I went with the Honker. The favorable results posted in the article you linked were also certainly a consideration.
I have it scheduled for install on Thursday/Friday, so we'll see how it goes. I've already had the Honker out of the box and was favorably impressed with the fit and finish. A very nice piece. Now we'll see what the dyno says.
Unfortunately/fortunately I'm adding headers and a tune at the same time so the numbers won't be "pure", but if the Honker and the American Racing headers are as good as claimed we should see some very nice gains. I am going to ask the shop (AntiVenom) to run a baseline dyno pull before starting, another after the parts are installed but before the tune, and a final number after the tune. Results should be posted about a week from today. If things go well I will also have 1/4 mile times. Stay tuned.
Last edited by Gannet; Dec 10, 2006 at 10:37 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Gannet
Sorry I wasn't more clear. I don't consider the Honker in the hype catagory; if I did I wouldn't have dropped the coin.
There are a number of units that don't draw in cold air, and don't offer any significant reduction in restriction compared to a Z06 box or a stock box with judicious holes drilled in it. They do often look cool. Those I consider mostly hype. They aren't terrible, they just aren't worth a couple of hundred dollars unless you're just buying the looks.
The fact is (imo) the stock system is pretty darn good and if you open it up a little it is better yet. It fits right, it looks right, it works right. The inlet is a little too restrictive due to noise regulations, but other than that it's fine. Going to a well-engineered cold air or ram air system is a whole 'nother matter. Even there, the "rebadged" CAI units I see offered by a bunch of different vendors (all the same unit, vendor name silk-screened on) will probably do most of what any CAI will do. They just look tacky imo. I wanted an OEM look (I used to work in GM engineering, I'm fussy), and I liked the MAF relocation, so I went with the Honker. The favorable results posted in the article you linked were also certainly a consideration.
I have it scheduled for install on Thursday/Friday, so we'll see how it goes. I've already had the Honker out of the box and was favorably impressed with the fit and finish. A very nice piece. Now we'll see what the dyno says.
Unfortunately/fortunately I'm adding headers and a tune at the same time so the numbers won't be "pure", but if the Honker and the American Racing headers are as good as claimed we should see some very nice gains. I am going to ask the shop (AntiVenom) to run a baseline dyno pull before starting, another after the parts are installed but before the tune, and a final number after the tune. Results should be posted about a week from today. If things go well I will also have 1/4 mile times. Stay tuned.
There are a number of units that don't draw in cold air, and don't offer any significant reduction in restriction compared to a Z06 box or a stock box with judicious holes drilled in it. They do often look cool. Those I consider mostly hype. They aren't terrible, they just aren't worth a couple of hundred dollars unless you're just buying the looks.
The fact is (imo) the stock system is pretty darn good and if you open it up a little it is better yet. It fits right, it looks right, it works right. The inlet is a little too restrictive due to noise regulations, but other than that it's fine. Going to a well-engineered cold air or ram air system is a whole 'nother matter. Even there, the "rebadged" CAI units I see offered by a bunch of different vendors (all the same unit, vendor name silk-screened on) will probably do most of what any CAI will do. They just look tacky imo. I wanted an OEM look (I used to work in GM engineering, I'm fussy), and I liked the MAF relocation, so I went with the Honker. The favorable results posted in the article you linked were also certainly a consideration.
I have it scheduled for install on Thursday/Friday, so we'll see how it goes. I've already had the Honker out of the box and was favorably impressed with the fit and finish. A very nice piece. Now we'll see what the dyno says.
Unfortunately/fortunately I'm adding headers and a tune at the same time so the numbers won't be "pure", but if the Honker and the American Racing headers are as good as claimed we should see some very nice gains. I am going to ask the shop (AntiVenom) to run a baseline dyno pull before starting, another after the parts are installed but before the tune, and a final number after the tune. Results should be posted about a week from today. If things go well I will also have 1/4 mile times. Stay tuned.
DH
