I'd like to see the test results and graphing data from VR.

 

graphs are nice and so are dynos. but 1/4 times are king. remember i still went 12.062 at 116.72 with stock run flats with minor mods and 12.38 with vr

 

Maybe it's because I've got one of the later VR units, but there's no question on fit and quality. Everything fits nicely and the air box makes a tight seal.

And I don't really care about if the other units look better, all I care about is the most performance for the dollar, period.

 

C5 Vararams were garbage. We installed one in my buddy's '04 Z06 and were very disappointed with fit and finish, most notably the lack of ability to get the filter to seal between the pieces. I have not heard about such a lack of quality from the C6 version, feedback seems to be quite good. I am definitely in the market for a CAI and am still up in the air about which vendor. I'm with bullet about $/HP so if one goes down in price it will surely make me lean that direction.

Sort of unrelated but since Callaway is active in this thread I'm curious why the C5 Honker is ~$100 more than the C6 Honker? Also would like to comment on the professionalism and imperical data posted by them here.

 

Another question for Callaway. Will the honker work with say a TB spacer from VR? Or is there a Callaway spacer?

 

Once again, while it might not rival the glamorous/luxurious pieces one might find in a Rolls Royce or Bentley LOL, the Vararam VR B series (C5 version) actually showed greater gains on C5s than the Snakecharmer (C6 version) shows on C6s, that thing was the undisputed champ of C5 cold air kits in most people's opinions.
My priority is simply going faster while some other's priorities might be in looking pretty first ...no wrong answers here.

 

I'm not disputing the HP gains from either the C5 or C6 VR's and I do agree the C5 VR has the potential for greater gains than the C6 version due to it's design. I guess I stated my concerns vaguely about the C5 version. I don't much care if it looks pretty either but when I can see an air gap inbetween the VR body and the filter (on the TB side of the filter) and it takes two guys jockying around with both pieces for ~10 minutes to get it to seal that is IMO. And that foam filter... Still, I am considering the Snake Charmer though as I have not heard of and post install fitment issues with it and the real world performance seems to be head of the class.

If and when I do (probably after I get my tax return back) I will be sure to do some WOT HP Tuners logging to measure the airflow and manifold pressure before and after.

 

I won't get into a long winded discussion on this topic, but I’m convinced that the Vararam has the best flow characteristics and provides the best overall performance gains. My opinion is based on my personal experience and the experience of some of the best racing and performance people I know. I’m looking for maximum performance and horsepower and that was my sole reason for choosing the Vararam.

 

No foam filter on the C6 version.

 

The C6 Honker costs less than the C5 version because we were able to eliminate the parts that were included in the C5 Honker to remove the air bridge and relocate the MAFS. GM eliminated the C5-style air bridge in the C6, as we had done with the Honker for the C5. The cost of the main duct was a little less in the C6 Honker also.

Thanks for the compliments.

 

These answers I came up with after researching the forum for awhile. I chose the callaway.
1. YES
2. NO
3. Maybe... or maybe URBAN LEGEND that the vararam will hydrolock. The callaway, LPE, K&N, and halltech apparently are safe in this respect.
4. Halltech 10 minute job to install (check their site for video) and the K&N looks simple enough. The others to include mine (callaway) a pain in the a$$ to install! The word shroud gives me PTSD!

 

 

Yup..... just cut the hole for the honker a little farther down the fan shroud

Install the spacer first and then test fit the top part of the honker........... mark the new location for the bottom piece, it should be a little bit farther down on the shroud.

 

Hey, we could have a CAI shoot out all we need is for someone to schedule a track day whereas those of us with Honkers & Vararams could do our thing. (I have my stock time slips so we can correct for weather to keep things relatively accurate)

We can come with one of each Joeys MN6 with a vararam and my A4 with a honker let the fun begin

 

Wow !

That is solid, props to you and your crew at Callaway.

 

Here you go. Back to back Halltech and the LPE. Same car, same time. Car cooled so that coolant and oil temps were exactly the same at start of dydno pull.

 

I believe a CAI is an integral component of (multiple) modifications to be made to increase the performance of a C6. I doubt, for all practical purposes, one is going to notice a significant SOTP performance increase from just installing an after-market CAI.

IMHO, Lingenfelter is the 'gold standard' of Corvette performance engineering and modifications. Callaway is also a highly respected and quality manufacturer. I am extremely pleased with my LPE CAI. I agree with midnight902....changing the filter is a 2 man job (one needs to hold the filter in-place from below while the other tightens it down).

The design of the C6 makes it much less susceptible to water ingestion and hydro-lock than the C5. Even with a stock setup, the manual warns against driving through deep standing water.

FWIW, when I first installed my CAI I drove through some moderate to heavy rain. Although the very knowledgeable mechanics at 21st Century Muscle Cars assured-me the LPE CAI could handle all but deep standing water and perhaps torrential rain....I was still concerned. At one point where the rain was really coming-down, I pulled-over and called the installers for reassurance. Being assured once again, I continued on. I did slow my speed from about 80 to 65 mph but I made it through the rain just fine.

Even though the LPE CAI can handle rain, I still exercise caution when driving in wet weather.

IMO if you plan on making additional performance modifications....install an after-market CAI. If this may be your only performance mod....I would say don't bother with it. Again, I am very happy with my Lingenfelter CAI.

 

Wayne,
I was ready to pull the trigger on the Lingenfelter, but the difficulty of changing the filter has pushed me to the Honker. I just don't have a 2nd person around to help out that often.

In my opinon the Honker and the LPE both look great, they look like factory components. Also in my opinion, I bet the Vararam is king of the hill for performance. I'm betting it picks up the coldest possible air and gets a little more ram effect. Probably worth 2 to 4 hp. Three problems with the Vararam. It's ugly, I've read about filter sealing problems, and it's probably the easiest to cover the inlet with water. My car is a daily driver and I don't want the uneasiness of driving in the rain. And you know how it can rain around here. We may only get 10 inches per year, but it's all in a couple of hours.

Thanks,
Glenn

 

Concerns about fit and finish on the C5 and C6 units were addressed early last year with a redesign on both units. I believe that you will find both the C5 and C6 units highly improved in quality and fit. All filters are now cotton guaze - washable reusable and guaranteed for 200,000 miles. All units come with our PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE! You love it or we take it back and pay all shipping costs! The redesign of the units was a direct response to the concerns and comments of our customers. We appreciate all feedback all the time!
Thanks for all the support and kind words!!
Steve

 

I just realized that you guys are in Pasadena, right down the road from me (Pearland). Do you have "factory direct pricing" if we show up at the warehouse?