Best air intake for C5?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Stock C5's and Z06's draw their intake air from the very front of the engine compartment well ahead of the radiator, so even in heavy slow traffic on a hot day they are getting outside ambient temperatures...
I used a Car Chip data logger to record intake air temps during these types of conditions and before adding my CAI mod, intake temps soared over 140F. Even after increasing speeds to 70+ MPH and sustaining those speeds for 20 minutes, intake temps never returned to ambient. By comparison, temps dropped rapidly with the outside air being pushed past the air filter via my scoop and lower radiator cover cutout. When reviewing the reams of data from the Car Chip, I was shocked at how long heat soak lingered without that CAI mod.
So, like you are at WOT in slow moving traffic on a hot day? And you really need that extra 10 RWHP...? Puh-leeeeezzzzeee!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
Basically, I guess what I'm asking is, what does it take to make cold air from fog light area go into engine bay? Just basically the removal of that cover and replace it with something that lets air in?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 21
From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
The Vararam is the only system to consistantly provide measured performance gains.
The Calloway Honker is a beter fit and finish, but costs close to twice as much. Still, I don't know where there is such an aversion to the Vararam's quality. The system I got fit perfectly and I've had no issues, at all.
The above two are the only 2 "true" cold air intakes on the market for the C5. No offence to any of the other systems out there, as they are improvements from the stock units, but none can match the performance of the above.
And Dave68 is completely correct. I've measured temps in a variety of situations with HPTuners and in stock C5s, IAT's can go through the roof and start retarding timing very quickly. As someone snidely remarked, what good is that in stop and go traffic. While true, it's in high speed applications where the two above really start to shine.
There's verified vendor data where just adding a Vararam (no extra tuning) took .4 sec off his quartermile time, in worse air conditions.
The Calloway Honker is a beter fit and finish, but costs close to twice as much. Still, I don't know where there is such an aversion to the Vararam's quality. The system I got fit perfectly and I've had no issues, at all.
The above two are the only 2 "true" cold air intakes on the market for the C5. No offence to any of the other systems out there, as they are improvements from the stock units, but none can match the performance of the above.
And Dave68 is completely correct. I've measured temps in a variety of situations with HPTuners and in stock C5s, IAT's can go through the roof and start retarding timing very quickly. As someone snidely remarked, what good is that in stop and go traffic. While true, it's in high speed applications where the two above really start to shine.
There's verified vendor data where just adding a Vararam (no extra tuning) took .4 sec off his quartermile time, in worse air conditions.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
The Vararam is the only system to consistantly provide measured performance gains.
The Calloway Honker is a beter fit and finish, but costs close to twice as much. Still, I don't know where there is such an aversion to the Vararam's quality. The system I got fit perfectly and I've had no issues, at all.
The above two are the only 2 "true" cold air intakes on the market for the C5. No offence to any of the other systems out there, as they are improvements from the stock units, but none can match the performance of the above.
And Dave68 is completely correct. I've measured temps in a variety of situations with HPTuners and in stock C5s, IAT's can go through the roof and start retarding timing very quickly. As someone snidely remarked, what good is that in stop and go traffic. While true, it's in high speed applications where the two above really start to shine.
There's verified vendor data where just adding a Vararam (no extra tuning) took .4 sec off his quartermile time, in worse air conditions.
The Calloway Honker is a beter fit and finish, but costs close to twice as much. Still, I don't know where there is such an aversion to the Vararam's quality. The system I got fit perfectly and I've had no issues, at all.
The above two are the only 2 "true" cold air intakes on the market for the C5. No offence to any of the other systems out there, as they are improvements from the stock units, but none can match the performance of the above.
And Dave68 is completely correct. I've measured temps in a variety of situations with HPTuners and in stock C5s, IAT's can go through the roof and start retarding timing very quickly. As someone snidely remarked, what good is that in stop and go traffic. While true, it's in high speed applications where the two above really start to shine.
There's verified vendor data where just adding a Vararam (no extra tuning) took .4 sec off his quartermile time, in worse air conditions.
As far as the quality, I've heard that they moved the factory to a different country and thus there has been many fitment issues. If you do a search, you can find a very detailed thread that has pictures included. The holes for screws and stuff didn't line up.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Just wondering, when you say "an engine bay that gets cold air from the fog light panels" are you referring to those $60 fog light covers that have holes throughout to let air in?
Basically, I guess what I'm asking is, what does it take to make cold air from fog light area go into engine bay? Just basically the removal of that cover and replace it with something that lets air in?
Basically, I guess what I'm asking is, what does it take to make cold air from fog light area go into engine bay? Just basically the removal of that cover and replace it with something that lets air in?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
Yes, the pre-cutout panels are exactly what I am talking about. Essentially, these simulate the Z06 setup. While not as fast when it comes to pulling air intake temps down after an engine bay heatsoak as a true CAI or my mod, it still is much better than not doing anything to a stock coupe or vert factory setup.
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Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
I have this Honker knock off for sale. It is actually the MTI lid:
[IMG]
[/IMG]
It also includes the power duct (not pictured yet). This comes with a shroud that is already cut and rivets installed and a new filter. Best deal out there. $285 shipped. I have an oil cooler installed and this will not fit my car. Let me know if interested.
[IMG]
[/IMG]It also includes the power duct (not pictured yet). This comes with a shroud that is already cut and rivets installed and a new filter. Best deal out there. $285 shipped. I have an oil cooler installed and this will not fit my car. Let me know if interested.
This would be a nice way to go if someone wanted to use it. Comes with the shroud already cut so you can set your stock one aside to reverse if wanted later and don't have to do the work of cutting it yourself. Anyone price a Calaway Honker? Over $500 I think!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 1
I guess so if you disregard the turbulent (dirt air) that is produced over the nose of all C5's. In my opinion that is less than a desirable condition (air flow turbulence) from a engineering point of view. But as we see everyday on these forums,I bought it so it must be the best product on the market.
All CAI that use forced ambient air into the intake system will improve the performance over all enclosed intake systems period. Considering that the real benefit of a CAI comes on after the 300' mark it's very difficult to place an actual number (increase in HP) on the various units. Personally I doubt if there Is a two HP difference in one unit to an other...so pick your poison and be happy with it.
All CAI that use forced ambient air into the intake system will improve the performance over all enclosed intake systems period. Considering that the real benefit of a CAI comes on after the 300' mark it's very difficult to place an actual number (increase in HP) on the various units. Personally I doubt if there Is a two HP difference in one unit to an other...so pick your poison and be happy with it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I can hear the Vortex Rammer sometimes, but since I got the car with the intake on it already, I have nothing to compare the difference between stock and the CIA. I'd imagine that it's a noticeable difference, but in my honest opinion, it doesn't matter.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Another CAI thread
I had almost started to miss these, almost as much as the header wars.
I have a Vararam, and, removed my front fog light covers and just run Z06 screens on my coupe. I never had any fitment issues with mine, just takes a little patience to line it up. I had a friend who had iinstalled his already , he helped me and we had it done in an hour. Some people get their panties all in a bunch to0 easily if you cant install these mods in 12 min
You learn very quickly modding any car and using aftermarket parts, it is far from an exact science.
Vram and honker have shown true results time and time again. Those 2 are the best IMO
I had almost started to miss these, almost as much as the header wars.I have a Vararam, and, removed my front fog light covers and just run Z06 screens on my coupe. I never had any fitment issues with mine, just takes a little patience to line it up. I had a friend who had iinstalled his already , he helped me and we had it done in an hour. Some people get their panties all in a bunch to0 easily if you cant install these mods in 12 min
You learn very quickly modding any car and using aftermarket parts, it is far from an exact science.Vram and honker have shown true results time and time again. Those 2 are the best IMO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 12
From: NOLA
I run a vararam and couldnt be happier... If you are hands on and enjoy that type of stuff the install isnt that bad just take into account what you are getting into... You wont be disappointed with the results... and IMO you may want to go with Z06 grilles with it this cleans up the look
Rob
Rob
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Honker or Honker Knock off as above. Haltech, Cyclone Something that goes thought the radiator shroud as above. Makes for a shorter single air intake tube to the TB.
Not all of us are V-ram fans,
Not all of us are V-ram fans,
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
Likes: 267
From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
The Vararam doesn't need anything extra to install and is perfect for a daily driver. I DD mine 6-9 months running a Vararam.
Contact me and I will set you up with one.
Contact me and I will set you up with one.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Johnston Rhode Island
I just bought a 98 coupe so when I put headers on it do I have to be worried about heat? do I have to coat them? I'm just torn between the Honker and Vararam, even with all the threads I still don't know. Vararam seems to be more powerful, but I'm worried with the rain, and the "cheap" design setup.