peterc56

I have a 2004 c5 with stock air intake any suggestions on what i can change it out of and put on something different

Billf6531

Sure, put a Z06 air lid cover on it, and drill three 1&1/4 inch holes in the top of each of your fog lamp housings. Lots of cool air and an happy C5.

Humanoid 2.0

Look at the callaway honker. http://callawaycars.com/store/index....=3&prevstart=0

Dave68

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) for non-Z06 C5s. 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

Reverse Zip-tie: Allows cold air to be drawn in from underneath, but the bare filter is exposed to potential damage from larger objects. The advantage here is that you may pass smog if the tech doesn't know "which way is up".

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
This is what I did and a swap to smog-legal status is very easy to do, as I have kept my Z06 intake box.

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 slow moving/stop&go 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.

mrm1149

Gotta Love the Vortex!


http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...97&postcount=1

Bill Curlee

Dave68


EXCELLENT write up!!!!

I have the VARARAM. The ONLY drawback to the VARARAM that I can see (other than installation) is it can effect your MAF calibration due to the added cold air and added air flow and cause a drop in part throttle economy! Once you get the MAF re calibrated (EFI Live or HP Tuners) WOW! It really wakes up the HP!

BC

BC

04 torch red

i have a 04 as well and decided to go with the blackwing first. it gives you a throatier sound and looks great under the hood. i then went with a granatelli maf, power duct and a smooth coupler. again, it looks great and sounds awesome. i went this route because whenever i need to go to the dealership for any warranty work i can simply replace the system back to stock within 15 minutes. hope this helps, i can send some pics if you like.

peterc56

thanks for the info it seems there are a lot of choices since callaway is located near me i will talk with them first. your picture instructions will be helpful if i go with that one.

If i attempt to do the job myself expect a lot of messages for help

thanks peter

Dave68

Thanks, Bill,

I have to warn those who happen to live in CA that they shouldn't install anything that is not easy to swap out quickly for the visual smog test. That's one of things I miss about Connecticut - no visual smog inspections. In fact, I remember taking my 75 Monte Carlo in for smog. It passed with flying colors despite NOT having any catalytic converter! If that car had been in CA, it would've failed before the sniffer test was administered.

Dave

jrose7004

Get a Blackwing.

birch64

love my halltech stinger

mcv

Peter,
Call me anytime at 860-434-9002, 8 am - 5 pm, Mon - Fri. You're also invited to visit us at Old Lyme so we can show you installed systems and explain how they work. We're right off I-95 at Exit 71.

The Honker typically takes about 2 to 3 hours to install; here's a copy of the instructions for 2001 - 2004 applications:

http://www.callawaycars.com/callaway...structions.htm

Mike Vendetto
Callaway Cars

ALLEGRO

I went with this setup due mainly to the look. Does seem to have a bit more grunt and definately more intake groan.

dndrsn

SweetZO6

Right now I have a stock box with a K&N and the larger/smoother power duct coupler. I want to get the Blackwing. I noticed Bill Curlee mentioned MAF recal with the Vararam. With the BW will I need a MAF recal?

Ed

Billf6531

Any mod that changes the normal flow path of air into the MAF will cause the MAF to report erroneous air flow. The PCM can learn its way back to stoich, but if you're attentive, the mis-flow will show up as a jerkiness in throttle response.

Vetteman Jack

I'm running the Blackwing on mine and like it, but there are some other good options out there including the Callaway Honker and the Halltech Stinger.

poncherello

I had the halltech stinger on my 2004 and loved it.

BowTieRocket

I'm curious about this. I talked to my smog shop, and he said not to change anything MAF to cats, but that the air induction was okay, and the exhaust was okay. He said not to put anything that didn't look like GM on for the intake, but thought I could use the Z06 composite unit since he looks for GM numbers, but not a specific number. He also said I couldn't use headers, long or short, unless they have a CARB EO number on them. Again, anything from the MAF to the cats.

If you have a reference that conflicts with this, I'd sure like to see it. Best to be prepared. Of course, the difference may be that you're in San Diego, while I'm up in Chico, and we don't have to do the dyno smog tests or anything unless we are labelled a "gross polluter" or have mods that take us to a referee station.

Thanks for raising the issue - I'll check with Jim again, and maybe have him give it a "visual," to make sure. The Vararam isn't too bad to R&R, but is more difficult than some of the others.

Still, it really added to the car. I'd hate to have to abandon it.

Mark-44

Removed the lid and zip-tied the K&N filter..made a little difference.
But for a big... change I installed the Callaway Honker. The instructions were good, it looks like original equipment. With this one change the quarter-mile time dropped to 13.337 from 13.649 with the zip-tie.