snake charmer vs. honker
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Gettysburg PA
snake charmer vs. honker
I'm planing to put on a CAI, from what I have read the vararam snake charmer, and callaway honker both seem good. Is one any better than the other? Does anyone have 1/4 times, before and after? I'd just like to hear some real world numbers. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 704
Likes: 1
From: TORONTO
The Vararam, Honker and LPE seem to be the most popular here for sure. I think the differences with these three will be marginal, but that is based on all feedback I have read only.
It would stand to reason that at higher speeds the vararam has an advantage as air is forced into it's chamber which would help with faster processing of the new air, therefore breathing a little more and producing a few extra ponies. This would be the interesting measurement, along with drag times {using the exact same car in the exact weather conditions and only switching the CAI}.
What we really should know is how much additional air does the Vararam put through a C6 engine at WOT at 10, 30, 50, 75, 100 mph as compared with stock and the Honkers, LPE's, Halltechs etc. Then calculate measurable quarter mile run differences.
For me this is only a common sense perspective, I am not a racer or engineer. Just seems those measurements would provide the trur performance differences between these CAI.
It would stand to reason that at higher speeds the vararam has an advantage as air is forced into it's chamber which would help with faster processing of the new air, therefore breathing a little more and producing a few extra ponies. This would be the interesting measurement, along with drag times {using the exact same car in the exact weather conditions and only switching the CAI}.
What we really should know is how much additional air does the Vararam put through a C6 engine at WOT at 10, 30, 50, 75, 100 mph as compared with stock and the Honkers, LPE's, Halltechs etc. Then calculate measurable quarter mile run differences.
For me this is only a common sense perspective, I am not a racer or engineer. Just seems those measurements would provide the trur performance differences between these CAI.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
Just installed the generation 2 K&N "Fuel injection power kit".. The filter element is carbon fiber and its very well made. Includes a mounting bracket also that re-uses the stock air box gromets.. Most sites selling them for $340-$400 + shipping. Found a site that sold it for $297 free shipping!
Added 10RWHP and sounds great..
Also I wouldn't expect more then a .1-.2 change in 1/4 times with any intake unless your stock intake is clogged with leaves...
Added 10RWHP and sounds great..
Also I wouldn't expect more then a .1-.2 change in 1/4 times with any intake unless your stock intake is clogged with leaves...
Last edited by Boston Z51; Jun 13, 2007 at 08:14 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 0
From: Littleton CO
Just installed the generation 2 K&N "Fuel injection power kit".. The filter element is carbon fiber and its very well made. Includes a mounting bracket also that re-uses the stock air box gromets.. Most sites selling them for $340-$400 + shipping. Found a site that sold it for $297 free shipping!
Added 10RWHP and sounds great..
Also I wouldn't expect more then a .1-.2 change in 1/4 times with any intake unless your stock intake is clogged with leaves...
Added 10RWHP and sounds great..
Also I wouldn't expect more then a .1-.2 change in 1/4 times with any intake unless your stock intake is clogged with leaves...
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Love my Callaway Honker. If I had to do it again, I'd still get a Callaway.
The build quality of that Vararam is what drove me away from it.
As for the Honker's quarter mile improvements look at this link
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1328533
The build quality of that Vararam is what drove me away from it.
As for the Honker's quarter mile improvements look at this link
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1328533
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Jun 14, 2007 at 07:16 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
I bought the same one on e-bay for the same price shipped. Probably the same company. You can e-mail him at kirbancustoms@epix.net
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
The Vararam has good intentions however I was not the happiest with the quality, the directions were worthless, when I received it was packed in garbage sacks which normaly I would not care however the lower piece had the garbage bag stuck to where the upper and lower intake sealer was attached which required me to remove part of it to remove the plastic trash bag stuck to it, after installing I had to take off the top part and reseat the sealing strip on the lower intake so it lined up. Would I buy from again? yes however I think they would sell more units if they used better packaging and a tech writer knew how to take pictures and edit a simple procedure.
Last edited by 71stang99; Jun 14, 2007 at 01:19 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
I have the Excelerator, the Honker knock-off. I just got back from a 1600 mile trip through a lot of crap in the Colorado mountains. I took the filter out tonight and it still looks very clean. I hear the Vararam really sucks up a lot of needles and junk (do a search). I am very impressed with this design plus I do not have to fear the hydrolock.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 704
Likes: 1
From: TORONTO
I have the Excelerator, the Honker knock-off. I just got back from a 1600 mile trip through a lot of crap in the Colorado mountains. I took the filter out tonight and it still looks very clean. I hear the Vararam really sucks up a lot of needles and junk (do a search). I am very impressed with this design plus I do not have to fear the hydrolock.
Good post Glenn, I have also heard the Vararam can act like a huge vacuum cleaner sucking in lots of unwanted materials.
I think the guys that order the vararam should strongly consider the race mesh grills in the empty space in the front bumper. At least that will further ensure that larger debris doesn't make it's way up to clog the filter.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Issaquah WA
OK
Go with the Honker.
I did, the performance is very good, the look is near stock, and it is
from a company that knows Corvettes.
I think the VRAM is cool too, but it looks like sub par quality and Rube
Goldberg-ish looking hack. No doubt though that it probably performs
slightly better while picking up more debris.
Support a forum vendor.
Edited to add flame suit, this is a religious war...
VRAM = more performance
Honker = better looking and close performance
Go with the Honker.
I did, the performance is very good, the look is near stock, and it is
from a company that knows Corvettes.
I think the VRAM is cool too, but it looks like sub par quality and Rube
Goldberg-ish looking hack. No doubt though that it probably performs
slightly better while picking up more debris.
Support a forum vendor.
Edited to add flame suit, this is a religious war...
VRAM = more performance
Honker = better looking and close performance
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
i think i had one of the first vr and spacer. i have 22,000 miles about 16,000 just on the vr. never a problem i have hit puddles purposley to clean the bottom of the car from a trans line leak. i hit the deepest puddles at 80 mph no problems i have the original filter not the better green one. no problem the filter looks new i check it and bang it looks new. never oiled it and i have the fastest bolt on time 11.62. if your not into performance then dont get any filter leave it stock if you want the best bang for the buck vr and spacer
if you want the best bang for the buck vr and spacer
