Cold air intake - Recommendations
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
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Cold air intake - Recommendations
Hi everyone. First time posting. I have a 2001 C5 and I'm looking to buy a cold air intake. I've read about a few, but I'm not sure what to buy. The 2 that seem to be popular are the Blackwing and the Vararam. It seems that one is a true cold air intake (Vararam), but the Blackwing is not. Supposedly, both have about the same HP gain(??) Supposedly the Vararam is a bit harder to install and involves cutting whereas the Blackwing is pretty much for a dummy like me to put on. I think the Vararam is also somewhat more expensive.
Can anyone tell me which one I should choose and why? Thanks.
Can anyone tell me which one I should choose and why? Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
Hi everyone. First time posting. I have a 2001 C5 and I'm looking to buy a cold air intake. I've read about a few, but I'm not sure what to buy. The 2 that seem to be popular are the Blackwing and the Vararam. It seems that one is a true cold air intake (Vararam), but the Blackwing is not. Supposedly, both have about the same HP gain(??) Supposedly the Vararam is a bit harder to install and involves cutting whereas the Blackwing is pretty much for a dummy like me to put on. I think the Vararam is also somewhat more expensive.
Can anyone tell me which one I should choose and why? Thanks.
Can anyone tell me which one I should choose and why? Thanks.
First decide how much you wish to spend. That will be your decision.
I have a breathless performance vortex cold air intake
You have to choose if you want a cold air intake or just a different intake.
Cold air makes more power.
I am looking to sell mine 175 so i can upgrade to a callaway honker about 500.
Part of your decision should be on the install as well. Some do not like the quality of build of the varam however it does perform.
I would say these are the top performers based on a dyno test i have seen. The cold air intakes like breathless and vararam and calloway perform better while driving. 15-18 hp increase
calloway honker
vararam
K&n Twin
Breatless vortex
Blackwing
Last edited by Got uid0; Jan 8, 2009 at 11:05 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 916
Likes: 2
From: prescott arizona
I installed my Vararam a few weeks ago and it was a PITA. I bought it because I believed a true cold air intake was the way to go and the fact it was on sale from one of the forum vendors for about, I believe, $268.00 with free shipping sold me. Even though it does take some effort to install it, I believe it was worth it. Good luck with your decision. 
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
As far as true CAI systems go, you can't beat the Callaway Honker for a few reasons:
1. It is legal in every state (non-Z06s in CA)
2. You can open up your fog light panels a bit to keep your engine bay at a reasonable temperature. Heat soak can only get worse if you block the front and add headers. This is why I chose to send cold air past my filter and into the engine bay. Hoses, belts, and electronics have shorter lives when the ambient temperature climbs.
3. Excellent quality and a relocated MAF that mimics the C6 setup. This is helpful in preventing oil migration from an aftermarket air filter and very few air intake systems allow you to do this. The Callaway does and that is an added bonus.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 908
Likes: 4
From: TROY MI
I am running the Trap intake with the front license plate area open to cold air (tunnel port).Easy install and gives you true cold air from a high pressure area. I also have Z06 screens so I get cold air in my engine bay area also.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,408
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From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Fact is, on an otherwise stock motor, an intake will not gain you much HP wise. 7-15 HP depending on the intake selected.
That increase is at the top of the RPM range. If you race your Vette, then swapping out the intake for a Callaway or a VaraRam is a helpful modification in shaving that 1/4 mile time.
Swapping an intake along with an exhaust modification is a logical first step to power mods that will require the increased air.
As far as true CAI systems go, you can't beat the Callaway Honker for a few reasons:
1. It is legal in every state (non-Z06s in CA)
2. You can open up your fog light panels a bit to keep your engine bay at a reasonable temperature. Heat soak can only get worse if you block the front and add headers. This is why I chose to send cold air past my filter and into the engine bay. Hoses, belts, and electronics have shorter lives when the ambient temperature climbs.
3. Excellent quality and a relocated MAF that mimics the C6 setup. This is helpful in preventing oil migration from an aftermarket air filter and very few air intake systems allow you to do this. The Callaway does and that is an added bonus.
1. It is legal in every state (non-Z06s in CA)
2. You can open up your fog light panels a bit to keep your engine bay at a reasonable temperature. Heat soak can only get worse if you block the front and add headers. This is why I chose to send cold air past my filter and into the engine bay. Hoses, belts, and electronics have shorter lives when the ambient temperature climbs.
3. Excellent quality and a relocated MAF that mimics the C6 setup. This is helpful in preventing oil migration from an aftermarket air filter and very few air intake systems allow you to do this. The Callaway does and that is an added bonus.
If ya gotta put on an aftermarket intake, this is the one to have.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Another vote for Callaway for the reasons stated.
BTW, I have been of the opinion for a long time that "CAI" is MUCH less important overall than a "LRI" (Low Restriction Intake). I think too many people focus too much attention on air temperature as the be-all-end-all when making a decision, when in fact dealing with the restrictive factory air intake is more important to hp gains. Now, don't get me wrong. I am NOT saying temp has NO effect, I AM saying that lowering of restriction has MORE effect.
BTW, I have been of the opinion for a long time that "CAI" is MUCH less important overall than a "LRI" (Low Restriction Intake). I think too many people focus too much attention on air temperature as the be-all-end-all when making a decision, when in fact dealing with the restrictive factory air intake is more important to hp gains. Now, don't get me wrong. I am NOT saying temp has NO effect, I AM saying that lowering of restriction has MORE effect.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 768
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From: Lexington KY
i have had a halltech venom and now a vararam with vararams power duct.
i can not tell any diff in performance at all (between the kits). the halltech installs in minutes and did not throw any codes. but the air bridge hit the hood liner. the vararam is not a hard install but it takes a couple of hours due to removing a lot of parts to just install it. i went with the vararam cai only first. within a few miles i started getting lean codes and the car had stuble at low rpms. could not find any leaks. installed the power duct and the stuble went away so i guess i had a air leak with the factory air bridge. Still have the lean codes though so i need to get the car tuned. not a big deal because i am ordering a set of lg pros next month and the car is being tuned then.
if you get a aftermarket air bridge the price for both kits are about the same.
i can not tell any diff in performance at all (between the kits). the halltech installs in minutes and did not throw any codes. but the air bridge hit the hood liner. the vararam is not a hard install but it takes a couple of hours due to removing a lot of parts to just install it. i went with the vararam cai only first. within a few miles i started getting lean codes and the car had stuble at low rpms. could not find any leaks. installed the power duct and the stuble went away so i guess i had a air leak with the factory air bridge. Still have the lean codes though so i need to get the car tuned. not a big deal because i am ordering a set of lg pros next month and the car is being tuned then.
if you get a aftermarket air bridge the price for both kits are about the same.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 619
Likes: 2
From: Destin FL
As you can clearly see, there are as many opinions as there are people. I used to have a Blackwing prior to my supercharger (which came with it's own intake). From my perspective, nearly all the aftermarket intakes are better than stock and are very close to the same hp gain (and it's barely enough to feel by seat of the pants). However, a new intake is almost certainly a necessity if you're doing other upgrades too. The Blackwing is very high on hp gain compared to most and will give those gains much lower in the power band than the Vararam. But I've never seen ANY aftermarket intake advertise the same gains as Vararam at high speed (due to the higher pressure from ram effect). So if you spend alot of time driving in traffic around town, go for the Blackwing. If you're more interested in getting max gain and you do alot of high speed driving, go for Vararam. Good luck. Have fun. Drive safely.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,205
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From: Chicago-NW Burbs Illinois
As far as true CAI systems go, you can't beat the Callaway Honker for a few reasons:
1. It is legal in every state (non-Z06s in CA)
2. You can open up your fog light panels a bit to keep your engine bay at a reasonable temperature. Heat soak can only get worse if you block the front and add headers. This is why I chose to send cold air past my filter and into the engine bay. Hoses, belts, and electronics have shorter lives when the ambient temperature climbs.
3. Excellent quality and a relocated MAF that mimics the C6 setup. This is helpful in preventing oil migration from an aftermarket air filter and very few air intake systems allow you to do this. The Callaway does and that is an added bonus.
1. It is legal in every state (non-Z06s in CA)
2. You can open up your fog light panels a bit to keep your engine bay at a reasonable temperature. Heat soak can only get worse if you block the front and add headers. This is why I chose to send cold air past my filter and into the engine bay. Hoses, belts, and electronics have shorter lives when the ambient temperature climbs.
3. Excellent quality and a relocated MAF that mimics the C6 setup. This is helpful in preventing oil migration from an aftermarket air filter and very few air intake systems allow you to do this. The Callaway does and that is an added bonus.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
"Supposedly the Vararam is a bit harder to install and involves cutting"
No cutting involved. It's a fairly easy install as well. Couple hours and as stated mostly disassembly. Most of the difference is true cold air and it's ram air at speed. I've seen some pretty cheap sales on them lately.
No cutting involved. It's a fairly easy install as well. Couple hours and as stated mostly disassembly. Most of the difference is true cold air and it's ram air at speed. I've seen some pretty cheap sales on them lately.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: NJ
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But then you should get some screens too and open up the front fog light panels so that it gets cold outside air. Vararam has more direct pressure in that respect and will net better gains. But I went the Blackwing/screens route because I wanted an easier system to install and I love the looks of the filter and the screens on the front of the car. 