Stock intake upgrade
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Grapevine Texas
Stock intake upgrade
I am a new C5 Corvette owner. I just purchased a two owner 2000 six speed with a K&N full fresh air kit, Corsa Extreme cat back and X pipe. The car has 13,700 miles on it and I would like to change the intake for a little extra HP. I have access to a new C6 intake. My question is- should I change the stock throttle body to a bit larger unit at the same time? Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike.
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if it is from an ls3/ls7 it will not fit on your heads... an ls2 intake will fit but you will have to use the throttle body since it is a 4 bolt as opposed to your stock 3 bolt throttle body... it must also be a silver blade throttle body, the gold blades will cause issues... you are better off getting an ls6 intake in my opinion
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Northville, MI
Your current intake is good for 400 hp, there are other options you can make to better improve performance. I am not familiar with the K&N filter accepting cool outside air the versions I am aware of use engine bay air for their air source.
The ones that use an outside air source of air are the Calloway, Veraram, Ice Box, and a few others. You would be better off with a Veraram or similar and a good street tune to wake up the performance you already have.
The ones that use an outside air source of air are the Calloway, Veraram, Ice Box, and a few others. You would be better off with a Veraram or similar and a good street tune to wake up the performance you already have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
Your current intake is good for 400 hp, there are other options you can make to better improve performance. I am not familiar with the K&N filter accepting cool outside air the versions I am aware of use engine bay air for their air source.
The ones that use an outside air source of air are the Calloway, Veraram, Ice Box, and a few others. You would be better off with a Veraram or similar and a good street tune to wake up the performance you already have.
The ones that use an outside air source of air are the Calloway, Veraram, Ice Box, and a few others. You would be better off with a Veraram or similar and a good street tune to wake up the performance you already have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: McGrady NC
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Keep in mind that almost anything you do will require a fresh tune in the PCM (more $$$) to take care of the CEL's that will start showing up. I'm preparing to have that done after installing a VaraRam VRB2 ram air system on my 2002 Z06. Unless you live close to a shop that can do that it will most likely require downtime. I wish I had left my car alone now.
Last edited by CaseyJones; Jan 4, 2016 at 10:44 AM.
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From: Anthony TX
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St. Jude Donor '08
Here's the deal.. The C5 LS6 or (2001-2004) intake manifold flows the best out of all the C5 & C6 intake manifolds. Its a direct bolt on replacement and SHOULD not require any additional tuning or set off any DTC.
The difference between the LS1 and the LS6 (2001-2004) intake is the additional plenum volume.
You will have to work on the steam vent crossover pipes under the intake for the manifold to fit properly. You can manipulate the piping down below the valve valley cover bolt heads or install 2001+ rear vent block off plugs and purchase a 2001+ front crossover pipe.
IF, you install an early LS2 intake you will need a LS2 Throttle Body, adapter harness and a different fuel rail. On a stock or pretty much stock engine the LS2 TB will not add much power.
Other than the intake manifold, additional performance will require LT Headers and a CAM. The next step above that would be performance ported heads and injectors. All of that WILL or SHOULD be followed up with a PCM re-tune.
BC
The difference between the LS1 and the LS6 (2001-2004) intake is the additional plenum volume.
You will have to work on the steam vent crossover pipes under the intake for the manifold to fit properly. You can manipulate the piping down below the valve valley cover bolt heads or install 2001+ rear vent block off plugs and purchase a 2001+ front crossover pipe.
IF, you install an early LS2 intake you will need a LS2 Throttle Body, adapter harness and a different fuel rail. On a stock or pretty much stock engine the LS2 TB will not add much power.
Other than the intake manifold, additional performance will require LT Headers and a CAM. The next step above that would be performance ported heads and injectors. All of that WILL or SHOULD be followed up with a PCM re-tune.
BC
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Grapevine Texas
Thanks everyone for the great information! Sorry for my unclear description of the K&N products. It is the complete assembly from the throttle body to and including the open K&N filter. It ihas the smooth connection sleeves that mount to the throttle body and to the mass airflow sensor, and includes a new bridge/power duct. The actual air filter is the large, open K&N unit. I am trying to decide on installing headers. It sounds like my best bet would be first to decide on the headers, then either way invest in a good tune. Thanks for tying to educate a newby!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
So, you're talking about air filtration and air bridge, not intake manifold.
Your question is, will a c6 air filter housing and air bridge fit a c5, and will it perform better than a K&N setup built for a c5. And should you change the throttle body at the same time?
Keep the throttle body you have.
If you want to upgrade from the K&N you're looking at Calloway or Halltech Killer Bee II. Both are pricey, both will upgrade you. Both would stand additional benefit from a tune, as would your K&N if it's not already tuned. In fact the Halltech would require a tune. Engine will not even start without it.
Vararam would be a down grade.
In either case the throttle body is not yet your choke point.
Your question is, will a c6 air filter housing and air bridge fit a c5, and will it perform better than a K&N setup built for a c5. And should you change the throttle body at the same time?
Keep the throttle body you have.
If you want to upgrade from the K&N you're looking at Calloway or Halltech Killer Bee II. Both are pricey, both will upgrade you. Both would stand additional benefit from a tune, as would your K&N if it's not already tuned. In fact the Halltech would require a tune. Engine will not even start without it.
Vararam would be a down grade.
In either case the throttle body is not yet your choke point.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
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From: Seattle WA
So, you're talking about air filtration and air bridge, not intake manifold.
Your question is, will a c6 air filter housing and air bridge fit a c5, and will it perform better than a K&N setup built for a c5. And should you change the throttle body at the same time?
Keep the throttle body you have.
If you want to upgrade from the K&N you're looking at Calloway or Halltech Killer Bee II. Both are pricey, both will upgrade you. Both would stand additional benefit from a tune, as would your K&N if it's not already tuned. In fact the Halltech would require a tune. Engine will not even start without it.
Vararam would be a down grade.
In either case the throttle body is not yet your choke point.
Your question is, will a c6 air filter housing and air bridge fit a c5, and will it perform better than a K&N setup built for a c5. And should you change the throttle body at the same time?
Keep the throttle body you have.
If you want to upgrade from the K&N you're looking at Calloway or Halltech Killer Bee II. Both are pricey, both will upgrade you. Both would stand additional benefit from a tune, as would your K&N if it's not already tuned. In fact the Halltech would require a tune. Engine will not even start without it.
Vararam would be a down grade.
In either case the throttle body is not yet your choke point.
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The Vararam is generally thought of as having the best increase in performance. Other good ones are the Callaway Honker or Halltech as mentioned above. I personally run a Blackwing and am pleased with it - very easy install and no need for a tune as the car will adjust to the increased air flow.
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I had a vararam on my car at one point in time, I am not sure how the dynos directly compare to cars with other name brand intakes but it worked pretty well and I wouldn't consider it a downgrade... quality wise it isn't built the best but it did work, I can't deny that... with lg superpros, vararam, and tune my car put down 391/379
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
Again, here is a back to back dyno test as evidence of that:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...onversion.html
That's a 14 HP increase with nothing more than an adjustment from one style MAF to another. Then add in the poor build quality of the Vararam and what you need to do to get one sealed properly and I can't see why people keep pushing them.
It's a downgrade.
I have no skin in this. I don't own stock in either company, don't own a parts house. I just find it annoying to see this forum singing the virtues of this Vararam as though it were the end all be all, when it's really just Snake Oil. Or the Emperor's new clothes. Pick your cliche
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Youngsville North Carolina
My understanding of the vararam is it won't help the dyno number chasers as the real benefit comes for the "ram air" effect when the car is moving...
From what I've read its on the track where vararam is "better" - i seem to recall like .3-.5 in the 1/4(?)....
From what I've read its on the track where vararam is "better" - i seem to recall like .3-.5 in the 1/4(?)....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
ram air effect. Has anyone actually hooked an aneroid to the intake and measured this, or is it more hearsay? Stuck a boost gauge in front of the throttle body and measured this ram air effect? I do not believe that there is such a thing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Northville, MI
The ram air effect for a LS1 engine was shown to be .76 hp at 75 mph and 4 hp at 150 mph. The Veraram was shown to be a good source of cold air to the LS1 engine in a C5 Corvette up to about 130 mph, after that the air pick up, being in a low pressure area, began to fall off in benefits. That is according to some now retired engineers who were involved in the race efforts and engine management engineers that I know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
Shown to be where? Can you point to the documentation for this please? Because all I'm seeing is hearsay he said she said with no actual testing results or proof of fact. Until that is demonstrated it's nothing more than in unsubstantiated forum rumor. Do what I did. Do the tests. Show me the evidence.