Cold Air Intakes?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Hill GA
St. Jude Donor '08
Cold Air Intakes?
I know everyone has there own preference as to brand. But is there really a difference between the cold air intakes for the C6 (non-z06). Most of them all look the same to me just trying to decide on one. The only difference I can see if brand and price.
so please feel free to drop your 2 cents as to what you think and if you have one please tell me why you got that one..
For the record I am leaning toward the SLP Blackwing just like the look of it compared to others!
so please feel free to drop your 2 cents as to what you think and if you have one please tell me why you got that one..
For the record I am leaning toward the SLP Blackwing just like the look of it compared to others!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: UK
You'll get all kinds of opinions on this. It's a bit like asking someone what the best exhaust is, or the best oil.
For the record, I've just installed a Vortex Rammer and am pretty happy with it. However, to be perfectly honest, I think the differences between any of the CAIs are probably minimal. Some claim ram air effects in order to differentiate their products from the competition, but the ram air claims are all based on some very shaky physics and very difficult to verify (which the cynical would claim works to vendors' advantage).
You won't go far wrong with any of the popular CAIs. The main practical difference is that some require the radiator shroud to be cut, whereas others (like the Blackwing, I believe), sit on top of the shroud. I can definitely see the benefit in using a CAI that requires a cut shroud, as the air will be much more plentiful and colder under there.
By the way, I replaced the factory air box on my C5 with a K&N universal cone filter costing about $60 and picked-up 15RWHP, so don't let marketing snobbery influence your decision
Cheers,
Ian.
For the record, I've just installed a Vortex Rammer and am pretty happy with it. However, to be perfectly honest, I think the differences between any of the CAIs are probably minimal. Some claim ram air effects in order to differentiate their products from the competition, but the ram air claims are all based on some very shaky physics and very difficult to verify (which the cynical would claim works to vendors' advantage).
You won't go far wrong with any of the popular CAIs. The main practical difference is that some require the radiator shroud to be cut, whereas others (like the Blackwing, I believe), sit on top of the shroud. I can definitely see the benefit in using a CAI that requires a cut shroud, as the air will be much more plentiful and colder under there.
By the way, I replaced the factory air box on my C5 with a K&N universal cone filter costing about $60 and picked-up 15RWHP, so don't let marketing snobbery influence your decision
Cheers,
Ian.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach CA
I have a Hurricane only on an '08 auto. A dyno tune only and before the trans was reprogramed, 397 rwhp, 404 rwfpt. These intakes have so much volume they will gain another 10-15 with the car moving through the air.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,261
Likes: 1,431
From: Brentwood CA
I just installed my CAI a few weeks ago. I struggled through the same decision making process you are going through. They are probably all pretty good. I finally decided on the Vortex. Take a look at my post below on the install and how I ended up deciding on the Vortex. 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1963296
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1963296
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 50
From: Sandy Eggo Calif.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12, '16
There are engine air (warm to hot) breathers, and outside air (cold to warm) breathers. Make sure and get an outside air breather. I recommend the Vararam.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
A cold air intake is just that...a cold air intake. Get a bottom feeder...one that draws cool air from the bottom of the car and not one that draws-in warm air from the engine compartment.There are IMO several decent brands but for my money it had to be a Lingenfelter intake. Lingenfelter is one of the most respected names in Corvette performance engineering and for good reason.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
A cold air intake is just that...a cold air intake. Get a bottom feeder...one that draws cool air from the bottom of the car and not one that draws-in warm air from the engine compartment.There are IMO several decent brands but for my money it had to be a Lingenfelter intake. Lingenfelter is one of the most respected names in Corvette performance engineering and for good reason.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,451
Likes: 130
From: Fernandina Beach
I installed the Callaway Honker on my 06 same time as the Magnaflow catback and picked up 17rwhp from Larry and the boys at Speedinc. I doubt the magnaflows accounted for much of the 17 rwhp gain. I swirched out a K&N
Ted
