Air Intake Flaws
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: StL Missouri
Air Intake Flaws
This post is not inquiring about which models are the best or most favored but which models you have had issues with. Im not concered about the 1-2 hp gains or difference between most models , since that sort of gain is not really trivial even more so noticed, but i am concered with quality and any issues that are known. If you could be so kind to tell me what intake you have and your outlook on it, that would be great.
Also does a double intake make a noticible difference in hp gain and sound?
As opposed to:
Also does a double intake make a noticible difference in hp gain and sound?
As opposed to:
Last edited by versacestl; Apr 11, 2007 at 07:44 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 717
Likes: 11
From: Pleasanton CA
This post is not inquiring about which models are the best or most favored but which models you have had issues with. Im not concered about the 1-2 hp gains or difference between most models , since that sort of gain is not really trivial even more so noticed, but i am concered with quality and any issues that are known. If you could be so kind to tell me what intake you have and your outlook on it, that would be great!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
From: Detroit Area Michigan
This post is not inquiring about which models are the best or most favored but which models you have had issues with. Im not concered about the 1-2 hp gains or difference between most models , since that sort of gain is not really trivial even more so noticed, but i am concered with quality and any issues that are known. If you could be so kind to tell me what intake you have and your outlook on it, that would be great.
Also does a double intake make a noticible difference in hp gain and sound?
As opposed to:
Also does a double intake make a noticible difference in hp gain and sound?
As opposed to:
personally, I feel that the motor is only going to suck in so much air to mix with the fuel, and I feel as you do about the HP increases, so it comes down to a matter of choice, and I went with the top model, figured why not get looks and performance....sounds great too....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: StL Missouri
personally, I feel that the motor is only going to suck in so much air to mix with the fuel, and I feel as you do about the HP increases, so it comes down to a matter of choice, and I went with the top model, figured why not get looks and performance....sounds great too....
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I had a Donaldson first, very nice quality filter but no cooler air. I then had a Vararam, cool air but poor quality and the filter was small and a poor fit. I now have a Callaway Honker, excellent quality, large filter and cool air all in one unit. I am very pleased with this setup and it will be the last one I buy.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,303
Likes: 282
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
I had a Donaldson first, very nice quality filter but no cooler air. I then had a Vararam, cool air but poor quality and the filter was small and a poor fit. I now have a Callaway Honker, excellent quality, large filter and cool air all in one unit. I am very pleased with this setup and it will be the last one I buy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 81
From: Fishin' Pole FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,723
Likes: 1,088
From: NE OH
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
OEM QualityWent from stock to Z06 airbox to Blackwing to Honker. 1/4 mile showed pretty much no difference between Z06 airbox and Blackwing. I'm pretty much guessing than any air induction that isn't pulling outside/cooler air (VaraRam, Honker) really isn't gonna do much for ya'.
Prolly' more about the quality of air than the quantity.
Last edited by BudgetPlan1; Apr 12, 2007 at 07:28 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
air intake flaws? Ppl tend to put too much oil on the oil paper filters. That oil gets into the mass air flow senser.
I dont oil my filter paper, just blow it out from the inside out with an air hose. YES I know the manfature says not to do that, but I want to get the dirt off the out side of the filter paper.
I have two filters and change them back and forth frequently. Clean air filters provide clean air for your car to breath.
Another topic that is of debate is the doul vs single air intake. Twin or doule air intakes MAY cause a vortex of swirling air in the intake, not good for combustions.
Ram air is a myth at speeds below 600 mph.
any CAI is about the same as any other CAI.
I dont oil my filter paper, just blow it out from the inside out with an air hose. YES I know the manfature says not to do that, but I want to get the dirt off the out side of the filter paper.
I have two filters and change them back and forth frequently. Clean air filters provide clean air for your car to breath.
Another topic that is of debate is the doul vs single air intake. Twin or doule air intakes MAY cause a vortex of swirling air in the intake, not good for combustions.
Ram air is a myth at speeds below 600 mph.
any CAI is about the same as any other CAI.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
I personally use the VARARAM on my C5. It is one of the best on the market and really it does not get any better!
Although many are about the same in the way of HP gains the VARARAM is the leader of the pack.
Go to www.thelapd.com they have them for $305.00 which is the lowest price around.
Talk to Shawn they are getting a new shippment in today!
You can feel a tremendous difference in them right off the bat!
You will not be dissapointed one bit plus I changed from the K&N FIPK set-up to the VARARAM! much pleased!!!
Thanks,Matt
Although many are about the same in the way of HP gains the VARARAM is the leader of the pack.
Go to www.thelapd.com they have them for $305.00 which is the lowest price around.
Talk to Shawn they are getting a new shippment in today!
You can feel a tremendous difference in them right off the bat!
You will not be dissapointed one bit plus I changed from the K&N FIPK set-up to the VARARAM! much pleased!!!
Thanks,Matt
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 117
air intake flaws? Ppl tend to put too much oil on the oil paper filters. That oil gets into the mass air flow senser.
I dont oil my filter paper, just blow it out from the inside out with an air hose. YES I know the manfature says not to do that, but I want to get the dirt off the out side of the filter paper.
I have two filters and change them back and forth frequently. Clean air filters provide clean air for your car to breath.
Another topic that is of debate is the doul vs single air intake. Twin or doule air intakes MAY cause a vortex of swirling air in the intake, not good for combustions.
Ram air is a myth at speeds below 600 mph.
any CAI is about the same as any other CAI.
I dont oil my filter paper, just blow it out from the inside out with an air hose. YES I know the manfature says not to do that, but I want to get the dirt off the out side of the filter paper.
I have two filters and change them back and forth frequently. Clean air filters provide clean air for your car to breath.
Another topic that is of debate is the doul vs single air intake. Twin or doule air intakes MAY cause a vortex of swirling air in the intake, not good for combustions.
Ram air is a myth at speeds below 600 mph.
any CAI is about the same as any other CAI.
AGREE ON EVERY POINT
Christian
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
You won't see any significant gains without a CAI. Most all aftermarket intakes will provide you with a good gain for about 10 minutes or so until the car warm up. At that point the underhood temperature causes the warm air intakes to become less effective. (colder air = denser = more O2 molecules = better combustion)
Cole air intakes such as the Honker, Vortex and Vararam aren't affected by underhood temperatures so you get a consistantly cooler temperature for your intake. A quality CAI will show gains of 10-20HP whereas even the best warm air intakes are newr 5-10HP.
Cole air intakes such as the Honker, Vortex and Vararam aren't affected by underhood temperatures so you get a consistantly cooler temperature for your intake. A quality CAI will show gains of 10-20HP whereas even the best warm air intakes are newr 5-10HP.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 356
From: Northville, MI
The only way to make more horsepower is to make the engine run more efficiently. Each cylinder can absorb only so much air/fuel per cycle (unless boosted) the two variables are air and fuel. If you are non boosted then the quality of the air makes a difference. Cooler air is more condense and aids in making more HP, sea level air will make more hp the 3000 ft air under similar circumstance. Fuel can be enhanced by octane and compression ratio (NOS increases the oxygen level and makes more HP).
With that in mind, only a true cold air system will make more HP. The others may make more sound, a dirty filter will rob you of air flow, a smooth coupler will make more noise, but thats about it. Honker, Veraram, Vortex, Icebox, etc. will make more HP. The only way to make a reasonable measure is to dyno the base line, make the changes and immediatly dyno the changes. Each time you go to the dyno, too many variables occur to get accurate data. One of the biggest variables is how much tension is on the straps holding down the rear end.
Nobody has done more extensive testing on the C5 and C6 than GM racing. Look at the C5R and C6R and see what they did.
With that in mind, only a true cold air system will make more HP. The others may make more sound, a dirty filter will rob you of air flow, a smooth coupler will make more noise, but thats about it. Honker, Veraram, Vortex, Icebox, etc. will make more HP. The only way to make a reasonable measure is to dyno the base line, make the changes and immediatly dyno the changes. Each time you go to the dyno, too many variables occur to get accurate data. One of the biggest variables is how much tension is on the straps holding down the rear end.
Nobody has done more extensive testing on the C5 and C6 than GM racing. Look at the C5R and C6R and see what they did.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I would agree with this to a point. I found the filter on the Vararam (I had the K&N) was small and I believe restrictive. Once you get a little dirt in there more so. I had some pollen in it for my dyno and lost over 15 hp that a blast of air got rid of immediately. I think that when shopping for a CAI, the filter itself is the critical element and one of the things I like about the Honker is the filter is a nice sealed fit, the pleats are deeper for more surface area and the filter itself is larger (length X width).
Like you, I have two filters for the Honker and keep one at the ready while the other is in the car. While they can be cleaned, the air dry time, etc. puts the car down for a while so I prefer to just swap them out.
Like you, I have two filters for the Honker and keep one at the ready while the other is in the car. While they can be cleaned, the air dry time, etc. puts the car down for a while so I prefer to just swap them out.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
and if you really want to get a few more ponies on the dyno tune, take the air filters OFF when you run the dyno, put some big barn fans infront of you car with the air flow on high.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,997
Likes: 36
From: Ocean Springs MS
OEM QualityWent from stock to Z06 airbox to Blackwing to Honker. 1/4 mile showed pretty much no difference between Z06 airbox and Blackwing. I'm pretty much guessing than any air induction that isn't pulling outside/cooler air (VaraRam, Honker) really isn't gonna do much for ya'.
Prolly' more about the quality of air than the quantity.
Another vote for the Honker here. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 1
From: Branford Connecticut
air intake flaws? Ppl tend to put too much oil on the oil paper filters. That oil gets into the mass air flow senser.
I dont oil my filter paper, just blow it out from the inside out with an air hose. YES I know the manfature says not to do that, but I want to get the dirt off the out side of the filter paper.
I have two filters and change them back and forth frequently. Clean air filters provide clean air for your car to breath.
Another topic that is of debate is the doul vs single air intake. Twin or doule air intakes MAY cause a vortex of swirling air in the intake, not good for combustions.
I dont oil my filter paper, just blow it out from the inside out with an air hose. YES I know the manfature says not to do that, but I want to get the dirt off the out side of the filter paper.
I have two filters and change them back and forth frequently. Clean air filters provide clean air for your car to breath.
Another topic that is of debate is the doul vs single air intake. Twin or doule air intakes MAY cause a vortex of swirling air in the intake, not good for combustions.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,325
Likes: 0
From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I have a Vararam, and once installed, it did seem to give a real SOTP increase in power ,and general smoothness in acceleration.However, the quality of construction, installation instructions,PITA to install, and overall impression with the product is not what I thought it would be. I'm not going to change it now, but if I were to start from scratch, and do it again, I would probably go with the overpriced but probably better overall product, which is the Honker.