How do the Cold Air Intakes perform
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
So is it a waste of $$$$ changing from factory over to these clean it yourself air filters air intake systems? No seat of the pants feeling any difference? At what RPM's if any improvements?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
IMHO the power gains are too small to really give much SOTP improvement, even though many folks say that the Vararam, LPEa, Halltech Stinger cold air type systems are noticeable.
All of them probably provide some measurable benefit, but even with before/after dyno and/or track results, it's hard to quantify.
All of them probably provide some measurable benefit, but even with before/after dyno and/or track results, it's hard to quantify.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by HITMAN99
IMHO the power gains are too small to really give much SOTP improvement, even though many folks say that the Vararam, LPEa, Halltech Stinger cold air type systems are noticeable.
All of them probably provide some measurable benefit, but even with before/after dyno and/or track results, it's hard to quantify.
All of them probably provide some measurable benefit, but even with before/after dyno and/or track results, it's hard to quantify.
My thoughts exactly and if there is some benefit is it at an RPM that is on the low end or high end like a Honda S-2000. Who drives their car in this RPM range which means it is useless if you aren't up in that higher RPM neighborhood. Lots of trouble and $$$ for not any noticeable benefit.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Originally Posted by LS WON
So is it a waste of $$$$ changing from factory over to these clean it yourself air filters air intake systems? No seat of the pants feeling any difference? At what RPM's if any improvements?
I got 0.3s in the 1/4 with the Vararam. I feel that the ram air system probably gives me more on the road course as I am consistently at speeds that provide the most benefit. The money question, 0.3s in the 1/4 isn't bad and I waitied until I thought my filter needed replacement 16,000 miles to kinda of justify it
. If you don't race the car you may or maynot feel the difference. I think I do and better yet have seen my 1/4 mile time go down nicely. If your the type of guy who wants to get the the most out of your car with each succesive mod I would recommend the Vararam. If your just looking to get a good filter any would suffice.It is fun to beat your buddies down the 1/4 mile with essentially the same car except mine has the Vararam. My buddies will be ordering theirs soon
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 0
From: Brownsville Tx
Vararam definitely works. I installed on my car and there is a noticeable difference. Not huge, but noticeable. Put the car on a dyno and it may not show but 4-5 hp, if any. The thing about vararam is that it is Ram Air and wont make any power unless air is being "rammed" in, meaning you have to be moving forward. I wasnt the least bit dissappointed when my car showed no gains on the dyno. I had already felt the difference and my Escort G-timer confirmed a faster 1/4 mile time.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by jogar80
Vararam definitely works. I installed on my car and there is a noticeable difference. Not huge, but noticeable. Put the car on a dyno and it may not show but 4-5 hp, if any. The thing about vararam is that it is Ram Air and wont make any power unless air is being "rammed" in, meaning you have to be moving forward. I wasnt the least bit dissappointed when my car showed no gains on the dyno. I had already felt the difference and my Escort G-timer confirmed a faster 1/4 mile time.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by Low Rider
I have a Hurricane (bottom feeder) and it has a great WOT sound but I can't really tell any seat of the paints difference.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Originally Posted by LS WON
What is the cost of this Vararam?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: az
Originally Posted by chempowr
I got 0.3s in the 1/4 with the Vararam. I feel that the ram air system probably gives me more on the road course as I am consistently at speeds that provide the most benefit. The money question, 0.3s in the 1/4 isn't bad and I waitied until I thought my filter needed replacement 16,000 miles to kinda of justify it . If you don't race the car you may or maynot feel the difference. I think I do and better yet have seen my 1/4 mile time go down nicely. If your the type of guy who wants to get the the most out of your car with each succesive mod I would recommend the Vararam. If your just looking to get a good filter any would suffice.
It is fun to beat your buddies down the 1/4 mile with essentially the same car except mine has the Vararam. My buddies will be ordering theirs soon
. If you don't race the car you may or maynot feel the difference. I think I do and better yet have seen my 1/4 mile time go down nicely. If your the type of guy who wants to get the the most out of your car with each succesive mod I would recommend the Vararam. If your just looking to get a good filter any would suffice.It is fun to beat your buddies down the 1/4 mile with essentially the same car except mine has the Vararam. My buddies will be ordering theirs soon
did you make a base run before the vararam? if you did, what was your trap speed vs afterwards. thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Originally Posted by cbrf4i1
did you make a base run before the vararam? if you did, what was your trap speed vs afterwards. thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: az
Originally Posted by chempowr
I did run the car without the vararam but don't have any info on MPH. We all know the sophistication of my track by now. Sorry, I would love to have been aware of that info also to compare.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by jogar80
I got mine on a group buy from Tbyrne...believe it was $369 plus shipping for the vararam and the thottle body spacer.
My only experience with installing a ram air kit was on a 5.0 Mustang GT made by March for $129 includes K & N cone filter, hose and scoop that always got knocked off from low curbs/sidewalks. It was a bottom feeder below bumper so it got all kinds of debris in it.
I did notice the car made more noise to some of you that is a big + and I notice also I got better gas mileage. It didn't ping like it does now. Removed the ram air kit because of emissions in this state. It would never pass the VISUAL TEST but it did pass the sniff test. But that kit did change the noise of that car at idle. In conclusion with this car it did run better with this set up.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 68
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Originally Posted by LS WON
I remember this product called "Tornado" from maybe 10 years ago and the product is still being made a round propeller inserted inside air tube.-SNAKE OIL!
one of the Vette magazines did a install/dyno on the Hurricane and I believe they claimed around 10 hp......just not sure you azz can feel 10 hp in a 400 hp car
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by Low Rider
The Hurricane dealer is West Coast Corvette so I would not say it's snake oil one of the Vette magazines did a install/dyno on the Hurricane and I believe they claimed around 10 hp......just not sure you azz can feel 10 hp in a 400 hp car
one of the Vette magazines did a install/dyno on the Hurricane and I believe they claimed around 10 hp......just not sure you azz can feel 10 hp in a 400 hp carIt is the "Tornadeo" a round like propeller device that goes into air tube and it was found to be a gimmick.