slowcone

I've read tons of threads about the pros and cons of different intakes and I'm still debating what to do. I hope I'm not opening up a can of worms but the general consensus seems to be:
- intakes that pull cold outside air like vararam and the callaway honker will make the most power
- everything else pulls in hot air from under the hood (unless you cut the radiator shroud)

I have a 2003 z06 and my plan is to just do headers with the stock titanium exhaust. I want to get a tune later on but was wondering if it's worth getting an intake. Does anyone have IAT's for the stock intake, hot air intakes, and cold air intakes?

Thanks.

Lexybird

I'd get a honker because it's proven for big gains and is very high quality . Sure the The vararam makes same power but it looks like a 4th graders science project of cobbled plastic parts and it takes three weeks to piece to together

tbrowne

I doubt a true CAI will make much difference with just headers and stock TI exhaust. CAI will shine with cam, heads, full exhaust and tune but not so much with your proposed setup.

slowcone

The fit and finish of the honker looked great. I've read some horror stories about vararam so I wasn't even considering it.

Ok that's what I was wondering - whether or not getting a cheaper intake like the blackwing would be worth it. I may just keep the stock intake for my setup then.

vettenuts

I have had both the Vararam and the Honker. Get the Honker. Quality is much better. I had to glue in the filter to the Vararam to keep dirt from getting by plus the Honker moves the MAF closer to the throttle body.

I don't think the Honker is not worth getting. There are a lot of guys out there with bolt ons that use a CAI and do very well. If the air is too hot, the PCM will cut back on timing and the CAI will prevent this from happening.

Gordy M

If you are going to add headers, the VaraRam or Honker will give you the best response. The difference is the old price/quality trade off. The VaraRam will give you the same results up to about 125-130mph and then starts to fall off. However, the tune combined with the above will be the best advise. When you change any of the components of the engine management system, you are making compromises to the PCM setting. The PCM can make some minor adjustments but it take 50 ignition cycles to complete the changes. A great scan/log tune will not only give you more horsepower, but also greatly increase the "Under cam" low rpm power/torque. If you are going to drag race, a dyno tune works best, if you are going to mainly drive on the street, the scan/log tune is best. Also, a street tune can remove most of the DBW lag in the Throttle Body. Check with COW or other vendors on the forum for a great scan/log tune.

slowcone

Thanks for the tips guys! I'll go with Callaway then. I'm also tuning using HP tuners in the future.

Lexybird

One thing not mentioned is how difficult it is to find a honker for a c5 . There's just a handful of vendors and they are almost always sold out of them .sadly Expect to pay half a grand for one kit

striper

Buy it direct from Callaway, same price. I have the Honker on my car. I highly recommend it. I have never had a problem and it works great, looks OEM too! It is also the easiest to service.