Best Cold Air Intake?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 21
From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
I think it's unanimous here that the Vararam has provided the most consistant and verified performance gains.
There have been complaints about it's installation time, fit and finish, and potential sealing issues. I have the Vararam, and have no issues. It's fit and finish is OK.
A close second would have to be the Callaway Honker. No one to my knowledge has ever complained about the Callaway at all, except for price. It's looks like factory, but I believe you have to cut your radiator shroud, which means you won't be able to remove at a later date. It's price is the only drawback, costing a full 50% more than the Vararam, with not as many verified performance results.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 81
From: Fishin' Pole FL
If you are talking true Cold Air Induction, one that takes in colder air from outside the engine bay I would opine that CALLAWAY is probably the best quality, VARARAM produces the most power, and the least expensive is the "FLIP-TIE".
Best usually depends on who you are talking to and what they happen to have on their Corvette at the time.
Best usually depends on who you are talking to and what they happen to have on their Corvette at the time.
Last edited by dndrsn; Jan 22, 2008 at 09:15 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 2
From: Chicago-NW Burbs Illinois
If you are talking true Cold Air Induction, one that takes in colder air from outside the engine bay I would opine that CALLAWAY is probably the best quality, VARARAM produces the most power, and the least expensive is the "FLIP-TIE".
Best usually depends on who you are talking to and what they happen to have on their Corvette at the time.
Best usually depends on who you are talking to and what they happen to have on their Corvette at the time.
Vararam would be my second choice.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 5
From: Chico CA
Price wasn't a consideration, and I bought the Vararam. Worked great. Two issues. First, it isn't legal in the People's Republik of Kahleefohrnya. Second, it takes a bit of effort to R&R it.
If you're not in California, I'd strongly recommend the Vararam. Trying to decide whether to reinstall it on my "new" C5 vert - I drag raced the A4, but the M6 was bought more for a mountain road sports car sort of deal. I may list mine for sale, if I decide not to install it. Still getting used to the new car (pretty literally - extreme low mileage car), and to shifting the 6-speed. Haven't even installed the Predator tune I pulled off the A4 car. Consensus seems to be that it does more benefit on the A4 than the M6.
If you're not in California, I'd strongly recommend the Vararam. Trying to decide whether to reinstall it on my "new" C5 vert - I drag raced the A4, but the M6 was bought more for a mountain road sports car sort of deal. I may list mine for sale, if I decide not to install it. Still getting used to the new car (pretty literally - extreme low mileage car), and to shifting the 6-speed. Haven't even installed the Predator tune I pulled off the A4 car. Consensus seems to be that it does more benefit on the A4 than the M6.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 1
From: Branford Connecticut
I think it's unanimous here that the Vararam has provided the most consistant and verified performance gains.
There have been complaints about it's installation time, fit and finish, and potential sealing issues. I have the Vararam, and have no issues. It's fit and finish is OK.
A close second would have to be the Callaway Honker. No one to my knowledge has ever complained about the Callaway at all, except for price. It's looks like factory, but I believe you have to cut your radiator shroud, which means you won't be able to remove at a later date. It's price is the only drawback, costing a full 50% more than the Vararam, with not as many verified performance results.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento California
now if i get the vararam, can i still use the mesh in the front bumper or do they have to be taken out all together? I read vararam's installation instructions and it says to remove the mesh, but never says to put them back in....sorry for the questions came from a cobra and knowing everything about that to something new so im kinda learning all over again as far as parts go.
maybe this will help...im doing...:
ported ls6 heads
233/239 tsp cam
kooks longtubes
cattaed x
fast 90
maybe this will help...im doing...:
ported ls6 heads
233/239 tsp cam
kooks longtubes
cattaed x
fast 90
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
No need for a Vararam on a ZO6. The front screens are open unlike a regular C5. Therefore anything other than stock is a big step up.
Check this out:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1855429
Check this out:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1855429
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,325
Likes: 0
From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
No need for a Vararam on a ZO6. The front screens are open unlike a regular C5. Therefore anything other than stock is a big step up.
Check this out:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1855429
Check this out:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1855429
For the money, I love my Vararam and the performance. A Calloway is also a good choice, but very pricey. As sperkins says though, a ZO6 already has the screens on the bumper, and if you change to a larger air filter, the difference is probably not much, and the Vararam was a real PITA to install.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 1
From: Branford Connecticut
Thanks for the vote. The Honker Cold Air Induction System is the only C5 system that eliminates the air bridge to reduce restriction and increase airflow.
I wish someone would do an independent, unbiased A - B test, to dispel the myth with respect to power gain.
Our problem is most tuners, installers and individuals who'd be willing to do this sort of testing have their own agenda or they aren't experienced enough in test practices to eliminate the variables that can skew results. And most consumers don't believe manufacturers' test data (sometimes for good reason).
I wish someone would do an independent, unbiased A - B test, to dispel the myth with respect to power gain.
Our problem is most tuners, installers and individuals who'd be willing to do this sort of testing have their own agenda or they aren't experienced enough in test practices to eliminate the variables that can skew results. And most consumers don't believe manufacturers' test data (sometimes for good reason).
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 1
You can't force all that much air into the a cold air pickup while on the dyno....up on the big end of the 1320 is were it counts,and thats were the Vortex ram air shines. See tread "Last harrah for my 383" - Tony tells you why the Vortex ram is the best. 