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I'm kind of skeptical on the horsepower gains published by vendors? What kind of performance gains are you getting and what should I expect with the various CAIs on the market. I have a 2007 A6 Z51?
Which CAI system are you looking at as there are quite a few out there.
I have a Vararam and it puts out although it will not show on a dyno as it is a true ram air and to get a reading you need to be moving rather then a system which is isolated to draw in cold air but will depend on the open air element to suck air into the intake system.
After doing a research and getting advise from the very knowledgeable members here it was the Vararam Snake Charmer for me.
I'm kind of skeptical on the horsepower gains published by vendors? What kind of performance gains are you getting and what should I expect with the various CAIs on the market. I have a 2007 A6 Z51?
I too am skeptical of the HP gains claimed by warm and cold air inlets products. To be honest, the proof of the pudding is not the HP claim or the Dyno #'s. Its the elapsed time in the 1/4 mile for me that counts.
Having said that...I think most will agree you will pick up about 1/10 to 2/10 on a true cold air inlet (like Vararam, Honker and Xcelerator) and pick up about nada with the warm air inlets. I picked up about 1/10 with my Xcelerator (a Callaway Honker clone) from my oem stock warm air inlet with opened/propped shroud. In fact, that "free air mod" wih the stock inlet might be just the ticket!
It would but I doubt you would go much faster than using the "free air mod". You would also get more vette-air dust and debris coming up on your filter
The one downfall of the stock inlet and other "warm" air inlets is they also allow hot underhood engine air into the inlet/intake. Thus you are not getting the benefit of pure cold air on the closed system type cold air inlets like the Honker etc. This is an important consideration for those who street or drag race in warm/hot weather conditions.
I use the Lingenfelter CAI. I can't isolate the effects of a CAI by itself but I suggest you contact either John Page at 21st Century Muscle Cars or Tim Dyer at Lingenfelter Peformance Engineering....I believe they both will provide honest information about the Lingenfelter CAI. Lingenfelter has a well-deserved almost legendary reputation. I have been extremely pleased with their products.
This is what I'm using for now. Hoping the K&N folks come out with a drop in for the stock airbox/bridge.
there's a reason why GM spent big money designing the intake/filter system, like noise and drivability. the present system supports 436 hp it can't be that bad i mean come on now how much power can you get with just a CAI and even if it is more power at WOT is it worth $400 to $500 for 10 hp? i think the cold air alone would make the car more consistent if anything. i would also like to see a test that proves a K/N (replacement) or similar filter will out flow a brand new GM filter and if i does by chance then why, maybe b/c it doesn't filter as good?
there's a reason why GM spent big money designing the intake/filter system, like noise and drivability. the present system supports 436 hp it can't be that bad i mean come on now how much power can you get with just a CAI and even if it is more power at WOT is it worth $400 to $500 for 10 hp? i think the cold air alone would make the car more consistent if anything. i would also like to see a test that proves a K/N (replacement) or similar filter will out flow a brand new GM filter and if i does by chance then why, maybe b/c it doesn't filter as good?
Bosco,
Pull your stock intake box out you will see that by changing to even an open air filter you will free up some power, the intake box has only 2 small openings.
there's a reason why GM spent big money designing the intake/filter system, like noise and drivability. the present system supports 436 hp it can't be that bad i mean come on now how much power can you get with just a CAI and even if it is more power at WOT is it worth $400 to $500 for 10 hp? i think the cold air alone would make the car more consistent if anything. i would also like to see a test that proves a K/N (replacement) or similar filter will out flow a brand new GM filter and if i does by chance then why, maybe b/c it doesn't filter as good?
it is only worth it or any other go fast mod if you like to win a race period
if not do not mod for any power adders.
What would be the point if you are not out wanting to go faster?
(good point) what year car are you talking about
Last edited by Got uid0; Dec 25, 2007 at 02:18 PM.
Pull your stock intake box out you will see that by changing to even an open air filter you will free up some power, the intake box has only 2 small openings.
Bosco has an 08, the OP has an 07. Big difference. The Vette-Air routes fresh air directly to the filter element.
Here is the underside of the 08 box, reported to be the same as the Z06.
For those who cant figure it out, when using stock or after market filters that draw air from inside the engine compartment, this does not equate to a "cold air intake". Drawing air from in front of the radiator, by using a system that does just this is a cold air intake system that truely gives you better breathing to the engine at much cooler air charge temp, cooler air means greater fuel air density = power,remeber heat is the enemy. Look for those systems that allow you to draw air in front of the radiator.
Bosco has an 08, the OP has an 07. Big difference. The Vette-Air routes fresh air directly to the filter element.
Here is the underside of the 08 box, reported to be the same as the Z06.
oops, i guess i should have read the first post closer. yes mine is an 08 and i already pulled it to see thats why i'm going with just the Vette-Air and maybe a K/N replacement filter. btw the new one runs hard
What is the box-like structure off the stock intake and what does it do?
Its called a Helmholtz resonator. Its purpose is to dampen harmonic waves inside the intake. There may be a performance gain in addition to reducing intake noise.
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