CAI & heavy rain?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 9
From: Upstate New York
CAI & heavy rain?
I have read a few different install instructions for CAI's and they mention to be careful driving during heavy rainfall.
If the CAI doesn't have a low mounted scoop, why is there a problem? What is the owner supposed to do during heavy rain, stop driving?
If the CAI doesn't have a low mounted scoop, why is there a problem? What is the owner supposed to do during heavy rain, stop driving?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: harlan KY
I have the vortex rammer,cai. I have drove my car in heavy snow once and a pritty heavy rain once, with no issues. But i dont like to take a chance on it. If it looks like rain i just wont drive my car, besides the vette is all over the road in rain anyway.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
First, the design of the C6 makes it much less susceptible to water ingestion than the C5. I have the LPE CAI. I was assured by some very knowledgeable techs that it would handle all but deep standing water and perhaps torrential rain. Even the C6 owner's manual warns against driving a stock C6 through deep standing water.
Right after I installed the LPE CAI I drove through some pretty heavy downpours. Naturally I was concerned....I slowed down from about 80 to 65 mph and fought the urge to pull off the road and wait it out. The car made it through just fine.
Although I have confidence I can drive through rainfall with the CAI, I am still cautious about doing so. Fortunately, it doesn't rain too often where I live and I have the luxury of having another vehicle. If it looks like rain, I drive my Suburban.
Right after I installed the LPE CAI I drove through some pretty heavy downpours. Naturally I was concerned....I slowed down from about 80 to 65 mph and fought the urge to pull off the road and wait it out. The car made it through just fine.
Although I have confidence I can drive through rainfall with the CAI, I am still cautious about doing so. Fortunately, it doesn't rain too often where I live and I have the luxury of having another vehicle. If it looks like rain, I drive my Suburban.
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
From: Midland Texas
St. Jude Donor '09-'11
We've driven ours with the Vararam through heavy, heavy rain, no problems. Only if you drive it head first into deep standing water will it be a problem, just like any other car with a low mounted air intake, aftermarket or stock.
Joe
Joe
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
I have the LPE intake and got caught once in a heavy downpour. There was an inch of standing water in places.
No issues with the intake. However, driving above crawling speed was a white knuckle affair in my Vette. I headed for the nearest cover for 30 mins until the storm passed.
No issues with the intake. However, driving above crawling speed was a white knuckle affair in my Vette. I headed for the nearest cover for 30 mins until the storm passed.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
funny. Reminds me when I bought a new '77 vette and thought I could drive through that flooded street ahead.... the dealer poured water out of the sparkplugs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
....I have driven through torrential rains with my Vararam....not even a hiccup from the engine. 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,279
Likes: 82
From: North Strand, NMB, SC; Retired x 2 (US Army: 70-90 AD) (US Army: 91-16 DAC); yea, I'm old.
That reminds me of Tom Cruise in Risky Business when the Porsche service manager comes out and asks "Who's the U-Boat commander"...I have had no problems with my Vararam SC2 CAI in heavy rain or when I take it to the brushless car wash which sprays heavy amounts of water directly into the lower opening in the front fascia.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
I also never intentionally drive mine in the rain either but just happened to get caught in some heavy rains for only the second time ever just yesterday (actually the worst rain I've driven it in and for the longest amount of time, 2 hours) and it was a stellar experience, solid and stable even when hitting a few puddles. Maybe your tires were a little more worn than mine? Speaking of rain and intakes, I meant to check my free 'cold air mod' for moisture after I got home but I forgot.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Falcon CO
