Cold Air Intakes
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 17
From: Lee's Summit MO
You're going to get a LOT of debate on this topic.
I bought the K&N and I'm very happy with it, but some will even tell you that stock is better than any aftermarket system, at that all CAI's are a waste of money.
I think my throttle response is a little quicker, but again, that will be refuted by many, and then again, maybe it's just psychological since I spent 400 bucks and I want it to be quicker.
I bought the K&N and I'm very happy with it, but some will even tell you that stock is better than any aftermarket system, at that all CAI's are a waste of money.
I think my throttle response is a little quicker, but again, that will be refuted by many, and then again, maybe it's just psychological since I spent 400 bucks and I want it to be quicker.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 995
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Beach VA
Vararam
Absolute proven performer, people complain about probs & whine about install, but simply best performer head to head. I have on my mild cammed (228/232), & the basic bolt-ons breathing for a lil 'ol LS2 makin' 452rwhp/418rwtq. You can hear hear it, you can feel it, & at the track you can prove it! Self installed ZERO problems in 5 years.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
IMO the Lingenfelter high-flow intake is one of the best true, cold air intakes. The Callaway Honker is also good. I feel a CAI is an essential component of one's overall modification plans but as a stand-alone mod its benefits are minimal. Make sure you're aware of all the pros and cons before you buy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 2
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'11-'12
I have a Vararam on the wife's 05 LS2 - the old style that doesn't fit real well. AND I have a newer version on my 08 Z06 that is better, but not excellent. They both work very well at getting the cold air in, especially at speed. Too bad we have to cut the radiator shroud to get them in.
If the shroud is a deal killer, look real hard at the Halltech Killer Bee II
If the shroud is a deal killer, look real hard at the Halltech Killer Bee II
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,360
Likes: 59
From: San Jose California
Actually the super bee is made to eliminate erratic idle and surge. (MAF position is changed) I upgraded from my killer bee II and it idles just like stock if not better. So, if you are going with Halltech I would suggest the super bee.
DJ
DJ
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
From: Loudoun County VA
IMO the Lingenfelter high-flow intake is one of the best true, cold air intakes. The Callaway Honker is also good. I feel a CAI is an essential component of one's overall modification plans but as a stand-alone mod its benefits are minimal. Make sure you're aware of all the pros and cons before you buy.
I have a K&N. Its part of a larger plan. The products like Varram that have you cutting up your car to get "cold air" are IMHO bogus. You won't see a "ram effect" before you see blue lights in the rear view. And how "cold" is air 5" off an asphalt surface that can fry an egg in the summertime ? BTW - I used to wind tunnel test sports cars in college.
Have fun. Get one that's quality made and affordable to your budget. You can always upgrade.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
He asked about Cold Air Intakes.
K&N is not a CAI.
K&N makes CAI's for many cars but the C6 Corvette isn't one of them. Unless you cut the shroud or allow outside air to the filter some other way you don't have a CAI, you have a replacement filter/airbox.
K&N is not a CAI.
K&N makes CAI's for many cars but the C6 Corvette isn't one of them. Unless you cut the shroud or allow outside air to the filter some other way you don't have a CAI, you have a replacement filter/airbox.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
From: Loudoun County VA
Agreed. But where you going to put it? In the wheel well like a Rustang? "cold" is relative. I would like to see temp data taken at the intake compared to ambient at highway speeds. I seriously doubt there's an appreciable difference.
Last edited by SilvrVette; Aug 20, 2011 at 02:00 AM. Reason: *%#@ iPhone ...
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: West Point NY
I'm no scientist, but (in response to SilvrVette) surely air at even fairly hot asphalt is cooler than the air inside a hot engine bay?
I'm thinking if I ever get my exhaust worked out, intake will be next, so I'm curious. On my "to do" list this weekend was "comb through Corvette Forum threads on CAI," so I'm interested.
I'm thinking if I ever get my exhaust worked out, intake will be next, so I'm curious. On my "to do" list this weekend was "comb through Corvette Forum threads on CAI," so I'm interested.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
Cold is relative, agreed but by your reasoning the stock C6 filter setup is a CAI also. Maybe a better term would be Fresh Air Intake (FAI)? Instead of air thats been thru the radiator and over, around and thru the engine compartment like the stock setup.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
The compartment that the air breather resides in, is open at the top and when at rest, radiant air from the engine compartment can heat the air breather compartment, but as soon as the car is in motion, air enters from each side of the grille before it passes through the radiator, and also from under the car, at the front.
On the GS/Z06/ZR1, with the duct at the top of the front bumper, additional "cold" air enters the air breather compartment, to supplement the air entering the air breather compartment from the bottom.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I wouldn't change it. I had light surging with my CAI and not legal here in Ca. If you do change though it should be to a true cold air intake design for any benefits over the oem intake.
By the way the stock filter is the best in the market and good for 50,000 miles and the LS3 breathes just fine. But the cooler air will let you tune with more timing. Maybe only good for repeated runs at the strip or track laps.
By the way the stock filter is the best in the market and good for 50,000 miles and the LS3 breathes just fine. But the cooler air will let you tune with more timing. Maybe only good for repeated runs at the strip or track laps.
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
I've tried numerious intakes on C5 and C6. The CAI produce better results on the LS1 and LS2 platforms. GM greatly improved the intake on the LS3/7 and LS9, and gains on the newer motors are minimal.
My opinion, don't waste your money on a CAI, and especially if you are not going to tune your car. Of course vendors are going to boast numbers, they have to in order to selll their product. I am not stating they don't work at all, but for the money you spend vs. the power you will pick up, not worth it.
If you are planning big mods like a cam/heads /headers.. maybe it is more beneficial..but with minor mods its a waste of $$$
Halltech (with beehive incluced) Vararam, Callawy Honker are all True CAI as they draw in cold air and do not expose the filter to the heat soak in the engine bay. K&N, Blackwing and the others are not CAI as they leave the filter sitting out in the engine bay exposed to all that heat soak.
Many have modded the stock GM intake on the GS and Z06, the key is Cold Air... not the filter, it's getting cold air into the intake.
My opinion, don't waste your money on a CAI, and especially if you are not going to tune your car. Of course vendors are going to boast numbers, they have to in order to selll their product. I am not stating they don't work at all, but for the money you spend vs. the power you will pick up, not worth it.
If you are planning big mods like a cam/heads /headers.. maybe it is more beneficial..but with minor mods its a waste of $$$
Halltech (with beehive incluced) Vararam, Callawy Honker are all True CAI as they draw in cold air and do not expose the filter to the heat soak in the engine bay. K&N, Blackwing and the others are not CAI as they leave the filter sitting out in the engine bay exposed to all that heat soak.
Many have modded the stock GM intake on the GS and Z06, the key is Cold Air... not the filter, it's getting cold air into the intake.
Last edited by FrankTank; Aug 20, 2011 at 11:04 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 17
From: Lee's Summit MO
Actually, if you took the time to carefully examine a C6 you will find that the compartment surrounding the air breather is not sealed at the bottom, on each side, and allows air to enter from the bottom of the car at the front of the car and through the grille. The air does not pass through the radiator and over, around and thru the engine compartment to get to the air breather as you state.
The compartment that the air breather resides in, is open at the top and when at rest, radiant air from the engine compartment can heat the air breather compartment, but as soon as the car is in motion, air enters from each side of the grille before it passes through the radiator, and also from under the car, at the front.
On the GS/Z06/ZR1, with the duct at the top of the front bumper, additional "cold" air enters the air breather compartment, to supplement the air entering the air breather compartment from the bottom.
The compartment that the air breather resides in, is open at the top and when at rest, radiant air from the engine compartment can heat the air breather compartment, but as soon as the car is in motion, air enters from each side of the grille before it passes through the radiator, and also from under the car, at the front.
On the GS/Z06/ZR1, with the duct at the top of the front bumper, additional "cold" air enters the air breather compartment, to supplement the air entering the air breather compartment from the bottom.
