best cold air induction
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by 05-C6
Mayonayze..........I can agree with your statement. The stock airbox is sufficient for the stock motor. Once you start adding mods, however, then a you'll see the benefits of a CIA.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: Crestwood KY
I had the Vararam on top of my list, but a few things made me nervous.
1. A lot of complaints on fit and finish - I really don't want to put something cheesy on my $50k car.
2. TBYRNE told me that there is a max of a 1-2 HP difference between the Vararam and LPE (the other on my short list)
3. Supply issues - As of today, 5/9, they are still having trouble getting the new filters
4. Poor customer service - I have read on more than a few posts that people are getting no or bad responses when checking into shipment.
So, I will have my LPE tomorrow. Lingenfelter has a great reputation and there CAI looks like it has a very high level of quality. 1-2 HP isn't enough to sway me.
LG Headers, LPE Intake, Throttle Body Spacer, Intake Manifold flashing cleaned out, and a tune all within the next week.
1. A lot of complaints on fit and finish - I really don't want to put something cheesy on my $50k car.
2. TBYRNE told me that there is a max of a 1-2 HP difference between the Vararam and LPE (the other on my short list)
3. Supply issues - As of today, 5/9, they are still having trouble getting the new filters
4. Poor customer service - I have read on more than a few posts that people are getting no or bad responses when checking into shipment.
So, I will have my LPE tomorrow. Lingenfelter has a great reputation and there CAI looks like it has a very high level of quality. 1-2 HP isn't enough to sway me.
LG Headers, LPE Intake, Throttle Body Spacer, Intake Manifold flashing cleaned out, and a tune all within the next week.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Originally Posted by Mayonayze
numbers talk man. like i said in a previous post...the CAIs have been adding an additional 15-20rwhp to header packages with tuning. as a stand alone mod, no intake is going to do much of anything. but as part of an overall mod plan, its utility increases significantly. 
kooks long tubes high flow cats tune 12.06
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Originally Posted by 05-C6
Mayonayze..........I can agree with your statement. The stock airbox is sufficient for the stock motor. Once you start adding mods, however, then a you'll see the benefits of a CAI.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,252
Likes: 133
From: Short Hills, NJ
Originally Posted by CoolBlueC6
I had the Vararam on top of my list, but a few things made me nervous.
2. TBYRNE told me that there is a max of a 1-2 HP difference between the Vararam and LPE (the other on my short list)
So, I will have my LPE tomorrow. Lingenfelter has a great reputation and there CAI looks like it has a very high level of quality.
2. TBYRNE told me that there is a max of a 1-2 HP difference between the Vararam and LPE (the other on my short list)
So, I will have my LPE tomorrow. Lingenfelter has a great reputation and there CAI looks like it has a very high level of quality.
I do see a lot of appearance items on his cars but rarely hear about track numbers.
And LPE does have a great reputation but those track numbers from Vararammed C5s (and yes I know the C6 Vararam is not the same) don't lie either.
If there is only a 1-2rwhp difference between the two then I would certainly go with the better quality looking piece but if there is bigger gap in power making potential between the two CAIs (I'm doubting there is) I would go with the better performer personally, fashion is secondary for me.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: Crestwood KY
I had to reread your post a couple of times. I thought you were stelling me not to lie. Just figured out that you were saying that LPE doesn't lie. I had a couple of other shops try to steer me away from Vararam for various resons.I have no idea if TBYRNE tested the cars on the same day. I really kind of doubt it. CAIs have to be the toughest purchase with all the BS numbers out there. It is hard to know who to trust.
I still think the Vararam is a good performer. It's just that the reasons not to buy one added up. The main one was the supply issue. I can not stand having long tube headers sitting in my garage staring at me and don't want to pay to tune twice (once with headers and another with headers and CAI)
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Originally Posted by CoolBlueC6
I had to reread your post a couple of times. I thought you were stelling me not to lie. Just figured out that you were saying that LPE doesn't lie. I had a couple of other shops try to steer me away from Vararam for various resons.I have no idea if TBYRNE tested the cars on the same day. I really kind of doubt it. CAIs have to be the toughest purchase with all the BS numbers out there. It is hard to know who to trust.
I still think the Vararam is a good performer. It's just that the reasons not to buy one added up. The main one was the supply issue. I can not stand having long tube headers sitting in my garage staring at me and don't want to pay to tune twice (once with headers and another with headers and CAI)
i put mine cai no tune drove it 200 miles per directions great results
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 33
From: S.D. CA
Originally Posted by Drumhawk
I'd like to hear from anybody who's had problems with the Vararam ie: water in the engine. I just had one delivered and I'm having 2nd thoughts about installing it now. 
Here are my thoughts on the Hydrolock issue.... I've seen the VaraRam and it looks to me that you could put a water hose in it, turn it on full blast and the water would just come right back out the inlet. IE: Get a drinking glass and turn it on it's side. Imagine putting a water hose to the rim and turning it on.... will the glass fill to the top? I don't think so. I think the only way to Hydrolock with this intake is the whole inlet "plane" would have to be blocked by water, creating a seal. Only then could the water be "vacuumed" up the intake. I think that is why when you look on the VaraRam website it says "you will have to submerse the nose of the car".
(The air travels in an "S" pattern, starting at the bottom of the "S")
DISCLAMER: THIS IS JUST MY OPINION
Last edited by sallen619; May 10, 2006 at 02:14 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,714
Likes: 6
From: Providence RI
I just switched from a Callaway "Honker" to the new "Snake charmer" and I really did feel a difference. The car is definetly peppier and throttle response is better. Vararam has always been great with regard to customer service. If I don't like their product, I can take it off my car and ship it back and they will pay for the shipping. Can't beat that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,714
Likes: 6
From: Providence RI
Originally Posted by Zuntov
Just installed the Honker.
What a nice piece.
Perfect fitting, nicely engineered and quality built CAI!
Guess I'll have to check out SOP meter.
What a nice piece.
Perfect fitting, nicely engineered and quality built CAI!
Guess I'll have to check out SOP meter.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Originally Posted by sallen619
Here are my thoughts on the Hydrolock issue.... I've seen the VaraRam and it looks to me that you could put a water hose in it, turn it on full blast and the water would just come right back out the inlet. IE: Get a drinking glass and turn it on it's side. Imagine putting a water hose to the rim and turning it on.... will the glass fill to the top? I don't think so. I think the only way to Hydrolock with this intake is the whole inlet "plane" would have to be blocked by water, creating a seal. Only then could the water be "vacuumed" up the intake. I think that is why when you look on the VaraRam website it says "you will have to submerse the nose of the car".
(The air travels in an "S" pattern, starting at the bottom of the "S")
DISCLAMER: THIS IS JUST MY OPINION
(The air travels in an "S" pattern, starting at the bottom of the "S")
DISCLAMER: THIS IS JUST MY OPINION
Finally a man with common sense.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 0
From: Decatur IN
Originally Posted by Tavarez
If you plan on being a U-boat commander with your vette then hydrolock may be a problem. But if you avoid water as much as you can and don't drive into a lake you'll be fine. That's how I think Ed at LPE put it to me lol.
he he, you caught me in a playfull mood!
Ed
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: Crestwood KY
Originally Posted by sallen619
Here are my thoughts on the Hydrolock issue.... I've seen the VaraRam and it looks to me that you could put a water hose in it, turn it on full blast and the water would just come right back out the inlet. IE: Get a drinking glass and turn it on it's side. Imagine putting a water hose to the rim and turning it on.... will the glass fill to the top? I don't think so. I think the only way to Hydrolock with this intake is the whole inlet "plane" would have to be blocked by water, creating a seal. Only then could the water be "vacuumed" up the intake. I think that is why when you look on the VaraRam website it says "you will have to submerse the nose of the car".
(The air travels in an "S" pattern, starting at the bottom of the "S")
DISCLAMER: THIS IS JUST MY OPINION
(The air travels in an "S" pattern, starting at the bottom of the "S")
DISCLAMER: THIS IS JUST MY OPINION
These intakes actually suck air in. With heavy amounts of water(not necessarily submerging), it will seal against the water and suck it in.
Basically, I agree with you water is not much of an issue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 7,695
Likes: 51
From: Imperial Beach CA
Originally Posted by shurite44
The C5 vararam had a couple of holes in the intake tubes. That way if you sealed the end with water it still would not hydrolock. Like a hole in a straw when you are drinking a soda.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 7,695
Likes: 51
From: Imperial Beach CA
Originally Posted by shurite44
Yes I am. There was a hole on the bottom of each inlet tube about 6 inches or so up. Why do you think I would kid about that?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
Originally Posted by jimman
and you really think that will do it??
I would guess when people hydrolock an intake it is not so much from sucking water though, I would say they probably have rammed water up the intake with their forward motion. So in that case not much will help.
I had two C5's with vararams. My first C5 was a DD, so I drove it in the rain some. No problems.
Any intake can hydrolock if the water is deep enough.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 7,695
Likes: 51
From: Imperial Beach CA
Originally Posted by shurite44
I really do not know how much it would help. I was really just stating what the intent of the two holes were for. Air is much lighter than water though, so if you give the intake a choice it is going to suck air. Although the holes were fairly small, so that makes a difference.
I would guess when people hydrolock an intake it is not so much from sucking water though, I would say they probably have rammed water up the intake with their forward motion. So in that case not much will help.
I had two C5's with vararams. My first C5 was a DD, so I drove it in the rain some. No problems.
Any intake can hydrolock if the water is deep enough.
I would guess when people hydrolock an intake it is not so much from sucking water though, I would say they probably have rammed water up the intake with their forward motion. So in that case not much will help.
I had two C5's with vararams. My first C5 was a DD, so I drove it in the rain some. No problems.
Any intake can hydrolock if the water is deep enough.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
I think if I were worried about hydrolock with a vararam (which I am not) I would do this.
Put 3 inch round hole up a foot or so in the intake tube. Then hot glue some filter material over the hole. During normal operation the intake would get air through the area of least resistance which would be the inlet tube opening. If you sealed the inlet tube with water it would suck air in through the hole. Unless you now decide to set in a foot deep puddle and rev your engine I don't think it would hydrolock.
And no I am not kidding this time either.
Put 3 inch round hole up a foot or so in the intake tube. Then hot glue some filter material over the hole. During normal operation the intake would get air through the area of least resistance which would be the inlet tube opening. If you sealed the inlet tube with water it would suck air in through the hole. Unless you now decide to set in a foot deep puddle and rev your engine I don't think it would hydrolock.
And no I am not kidding this time either.