Cai
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: Kingman AZ
Cai
I imagine this has been thrashed out over and over but here goes...
I have a stock '07 that I ordered a Borla S-Type cat back exhaust system for. When I was paying for the system, the site I kept telling me how much more horsepower I will pick up with adding a CAI to the mod.
1.) I know the computer 'learns' and adjusts for items such as these but what are some of the experiences y'all have had with these
bolt ons?
2.) What could I expect to increase the horsepower with these two bolt ons and a mild tune? 5%? 10%?
T'anx!
I have a stock '07 that I ordered a Borla S-Type cat back exhaust system for. When I was paying for the system, the site I kept telling me how much more horsepower I will pick up with adding a CAI to the mod.
1.) I know the computer 'learns' and adjusts for items such as these but what are some of the experiences y'all have had with these
bolt ons?
2.) What could I expect to increase the horsepower with these two bolt ons and a mild tune? 5%? 10%?
T'anx!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
I don't think I'd bother unless I was doing headers and was getting a tune which I did. I also stayed away from a CAI and switched to a Z06 factory air box. I've read on the forum that the stock element filters better than a CAI.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,598
Likes: 960
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
One thing to remember the majority of the aftermarket air filters are not a true CAI. To be a true cold air intake, it must draw outside air only. Most of the aftermarkets pull some outside air, but a lot of the air is from within the engine compartment. So if you should order a new air intake, make sure it is a true CAI.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 44
From: If you wanna live life on your own terms, you gotta be willing to crash and burn Florida
Go with vararam. It's a real CAI/Ram-Air. It actually works and you can feel it. Easy to install. Great price too. I've had mine for a year and love it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
It's difficult to quantify the horsepower gain of a CAI because the car needs to be moving for the increase in performance to be apparent and that doesn't happen with the car sitting on a dyno.
However, track testing has shown that the VaraRam is worth a couple tenths on the track in the quarter mile. These gains are more apparent on the LS2.
The challenge most often mentioned when installing a VaraRam is cutting the fan shroud. Following the guidelines and using some care is all it really takes.
Ingesting water/hydro-locking the motor is another worry, for some. As long as you don't try to drive through deep puddles there is no issue.
I've had my VaraRam for 8+ years and the most notable SOTP performance boost happens at freeway speeds.
The only thing to be aware of during the cars 'learning' process is to not inundate the motor with too much very cold air right away. This education scenario could take a little longer this time of year. I put mine on in the summer and never gave it much thought.
If you add a tune as well, the learning process is unnecessary and the performance gains will be much more noticeable. Check with Chuck CoW (Corvettes of Westchester) for expert advice on this.
However, track testing has shown that the VaraRam is worth a couple tenths on the track in the quarter mile. These gains are more apparent on the LS2.
The challenge most often mentioned when installing a VaraRam is cutting the fan shroud. Following the guidelines and using some care is all it really takes.
Ingesting water/hydro-locking the motor is another worry, for some. As long as you don't try to drive through deep puddles there is no issue.
I've had my VaraRam for 8+ years and the most notable SOTP performance boost happens at freeway speeds.
The only thing to be aware of during the cars 'learning' process is to not inundate the motor with too much very cold air right away. This education scenario could take a little longer this time of year. I put mine on in the summer and never gave it much thought.
If you add a tune as well, the learning process is unnecessary and the performance gains will be much more noticeable. Check with Chuck CoW (Corvettes of Westchester) for expert advice on this.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
The VARARAM is the BEST hands down.....NO QUESTION.
It's difficult to quantify the horsepower gain of a CAI because the car needs to be moving for the increase in performance to be apparent and that doesn't happen with the car sitting on a dyno.
However, track testing has shown that the VaraRam is worth a couple tenths on the track in the quarter mile. These gains are more apparent on the LS2.
The challenge most often mentioned when installing a VaraRam is cutting the fan shroud. Following the guidelines and using some care is all it really takes.
Ingesting water/hydro-locking the motor is another worry, for some. As long as you don't try to drive through deep puddles there is no issue.
I've had my VaraRam for 8+ years and the most notable SOTP performance boost happens at freeway speeds.
The only thing to be aware of during the cars 'learning' process is to not inundate the motor with too much very cold air right away. This education scenario could take a little longer this time of year. I put mine on in the summer and never gave it much thought.
If you add a tune as well, the learning process is unnecessary and the performance gains will be much more noticeable. Check with Chuck CoW (Corvettes of Westchester) for expert advice on this.
However, track testing has shown that the VaraRam is worth a couple tenths on the track in the quarter mile. These gains are more apparent on the LS2.
The challenge most often mentioned when installing a VaraRam is cutting the fan shroud. Following the guidelines and using some care is all it really takes.
Ingesting water/hydro-locking the motor is another worry, for some. As long as you don't try to drive through deep puddles there is no issue.
I've had my VaraRam for 8+ years and the most notable SOTP performance boost happens at freeway speeds.
The only thing to be aware of during the cars 'learning' process is to not inundate the motor with too much very cold air right away. This education scenario could take a little longer this time of year. I put mine on in the summer and never gave it much thought.
If you add a tune as well, the learning process is unnecessary and the performance gains will be much more noticeable. Check with Chuck CoW (Corvettes of Westchester) for expert advice on this.
The hydrolock issue is just plain retarded. I see no reason a C6 needs to be driven thru swamps and
flooded intersections..... Totally avoidable and totally your fault if it happens to you.
VARARAM, BORLA STINGER, and my TUNE & CoW BOOSTER! package is a setup that we've always loved and can not be beat.
It's a combo weve done a bunch of times and nobody is ever disappointed.
Call me if you want to know more. 914-332-0049
Chuck CoW
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Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
An overwhelming majority of the quickest NA C6 Vettes on the performance list are using a Vararam. Don't be misled by advertiser claims of HP. Track proven results tell the real story.
Unless you're physically incapable or a complete klutz, the install is a DIY in less than 2 hours. Then ask the locals who does dyno tunes for drag racers and that'll get you the best bang for the buck.
Unless you're physically incapable or a complete klutz, the install is a DIY in less than 2 hours. Then ask the locals who does dyno tunes for drag racers and that'll get you the best bang for the buck.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 171
From: Missouri
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Unless you're buying one that ACTUALLY isolates hot underhood air from the actual intake air, save your cash. Beehive, Callaway/Lingenfelter (almost identical), and Vararam are your options. If you had an older C5 or LS1 powered car, sure, the design sucks. These air intakes we're rolling with should support close to 600 flywheel horsepower.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 149
From: North Carolina
The VARARAM is the BEST hands down.....NO QUESTION.
The hydrolock issue is just plain retarded. I see no reason a C6 needs to be driven thru swamps and
flooded intersections..... Totally avoidable and totally your fault if it happens to you.
VARARAM, BORLA STINGER, and my TUNE & CoW BOOSTER! package is a setup that we've always loved and can not be beat.
It's a combo weve done a bunch of times and nobody is ever disappointed.
Call me if you want to know more. 914-332-0049
Chuck CoW
The hydrolock issue is just plain retarded. I see no reason a C6 needs to be driven thru swamps and
flooded intersections..... Totally avoidable and totally your fault if it happens to you.
VARARAM, BORLA STINGER, and my TUNE & CoW BOOSTER! package is a setup that we've always loved and can not be beat.
It's a combo weve done a bunch of times and nobody is ever disappointed.
Call me if you want to know more. 914-332-0049
Chuck CoW
There is no doubt the Vararam delivers as advertised. I had it installed with a tune and the power increase was very evident - especially at freeway speeds. But for me, there are enough things to worry about on the road and I decided it just wasn't worth adding one more thing to that list even if there was only a small chance I'd ever have a problem.