I have an 99' Coupe w/ 71K, A4 that I recently purchased. It has the CLB already installed. I was told that a cold air intake should be my next mod. My question is what make one CAI better then the other? Which one do you receommend and why?
Thank You

 

...you're gonna get a dozen different opinions on this frequently asked question (everyone thinks their choice is the best).
You might want to do a search under "cold air" or use "BLACKWING", "VORTEX", "VERARAM", "HALLTECH", "HONKER", "K&N", "SLP", "dual cone" etc to get plenty of instant reading material.
There is also the "zip tie" freebie mod. Another member used the bottom half of his oem intake, cut the shroud and made his own clever faux "Honker".
Some are true "cold air" and others are improved filters over paper oem. The general opinion is that most will not provide anywhere near the HP improvements that are advertised (in spite of what your butt might tell you). Some will cause DIC codes that you will require a tune or you have to live with the annoying check engine light.
An oem Z06 intake is better than most oem C5 intakes because of the improved air inlet.
If you do a search on EBAY under "C5 Corvette" or "Z06 Corvette", you'll find some good deals on complete Z06 oem intake systems which GM thought good enough to support 405hp. Get the later model system with the larger air inlet. Replace the oem paper filter with a K&N, S&B, or "green" filter for improved filtration and air flow.

 

I first bought the Donaldson, very good filter but not much for cold air without a cutout. I then moved to the Vararam. Nice setup, but cheap quality and the filter size is small and doesn't seal well. I finally bought the Honker. First rate quality, nice big filter and overall good design.

 

I first went with the Halltech Stinger. I was nice, easy to install, fairly low cost but not a cold air intake. I now have the Honker and it is well made, a bit more difficult to install, looks great, IMO and was alot more dough. I liked my Stinger intake but I would do the Honker all-over again and would suggest doing it the first time around if the cash is avalible.

2 cents deposited,

Darion

 

I also went with the Halltec stinger. I have been pleased with it !! Good luck on your choice

 

I've been using the Donaldson Blackwing for a few years. The power was noticeable out of the box but if you want some cold air you can cut a rectangular cut-out from your radiator splash panel and install a Blackwing Cold-Air Shroud.

 

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. $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: 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.

 

I've got the 'Honker', Love It! A little pricey but you get what you pay for.

 

 

Take a look at the Hurricane, I think it’s worth consideration.

 

Nice summation Dave.

 

If you follow CF member Cajundude 's installation, going very slow and with interuptions the Vararam is an easy, lazy weekend morning install.
Admittedly their instructions are nearly useless.
The fit is fine on mine and the seal between the cover, the filter and the body is perfect.
The finish that people complain about is hidden beteen the rad and the front clip and cannot be seen in the engine compartment.
The original foam filter that everyone compalined about has been replaced with a permananent (K&N like) cloth filter.

The results... I have seen no other CAI's on this forum that can routinely show a 0.3-0.4 second and 3-5 mph improvement in the quarter... (supported by actual data)

remember no matter what CAI you install don't be driving through standing water that gets near the bottom of the front fascia.

 

I bought a intake off ebay, cheap, imo a intake is a intake

 

Get a Blackwing and a hood seal and be done with it!

 

Just for grins, I am going to try the Flip Tie mod. I have the zip tie mod now and liked it. Time to see what having a lot of cold air will do to my car. I hope to do it today or tomorrow.

 

The Hurricane model gets my vote. Very well constructed and not difficult to install. Looks pretty neat when you open the hood and isn't as dangerous as some other CAI's when going through water. The Callaway Honker is my other choice. Both are very similar designs. They do make a difference based on my track times and mph. My suggestion is to spend the money once on a really good intake system and if you can't, wait until you can afford to do so.

 

GMTA It seems I'm the only one on here touting the Hurricane so it's refreshing to see someone else that likes it as well. My second choice was the Honker and I would've bought it if I didn't already have an aftermarket coupler and air bridge.

As suggested by jrose7004 get a hood seal with your CAI purchase.

 

I also have installed a Hurricane Intake system. I like it as well. I also installed a carbon fiber bridge. I think it makes it sound a bit better as well. Although I dont think you get too much of a performance boost till your going at a higher speed. It does seem like its going to be a pain to clean and oil, unless you have some helpful hints...