C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

intake truths

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 12:31 AM
  #1  
HANNY's Avatar
HANNY
Thread Starter
Safety Car
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,296
Likes: 156
From: Location: Location: kAnSaS
Default intake truths

an old question but the hype on vararam and others is anywhere from 18 to 42 hp gains??
Anyone have proof of it on c6's? I'm sure theres a thread out there but couldnt track it down .I can see some gain but 42 HP? hard to imagine. thnxs in advance for opinions.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 12:52 AM
  #2  
k0bun's Avatar
k0bun
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
Default

Originally Posted by hanny
an old question but the hype on vararam and others is anywhere from 18 to 42 hp gains??
Anyone have proof of it on c6's? I'm sure theres a thread out there but couldnt track it down .I can see some gain but 42 HP? hard to imagine. thnxs in advance for opinions.
The claim of 42hp isn't substantiated from a dyno or any other measuring/test equipment. It's derived from the commonly accepted estimate of hp to et drop. Roughly 10hp/0.1sec The VR has consistantly proven itself at the track with improvements of 2-3/10ths and 2-3mph. I believe this is where the, perhaps generous claim of 42hp comes from. Either way it is an excellent performing unit.

Last edited by k0bun; Sep 7, 2008 at 12:57 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 12:54 AM
  #3  
JayplaySS2's Avatar
JayplaySS2
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 14
Default

Youre not going to find any Vararam dyno showing gains since they need to be moving to increase airflow and velocity. You will find many guys running them that will sware by them and give thier et from the swap though.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 01:23 AM
  #4  
LS1LT1's Avatar
LS1LT1
Team Owner
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Default

The Vararam Snake Charmer cold air intake gives a documented and verified 40hp...well, not really but it sort of feels like that LOL.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 04:28 AM
  #5  
keyplyr's Avatar
keyplyr
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
Default



Which presents the question; how can hp gains be verified from any CAI if not dyno tested?




Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 04:51 AM
  #6  
LS1LT1's Avatar
LS1LT1
Team Owner
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Default

Originally Posted by keyplyr
Which presents the question; how can hp gains be verified from any CAI if not dyno tested?
1/4 mile drag strip perhaps?
Though even that might show to be somewhat inconclusive because it takes time to swap out intakes for testing and
1) the weather/temps/track conditions could change in that time
2) one intake might react better after being learned in/miles on the car
3) tuning/PCM parameter changes
4) etc. etc.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 08:11 AM
  #7  
BOB EAGAN's Avatar
BOB EAGAN
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
From: BURTON MI
Default

Originally Posted by keyplyr


Which presents the question; how can hp gains be verified from any CAI if not dyno tested?



If you do a search, you should be able to find some before and after dynos. Standing still on a dyno will still give some gains, on some units do to there larger size injesting more air.Gains are usually in the 5-10 HP range. I don't have a Vararam but most people here claim it doesn't show on a dyno.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 02:20 PM
  #8  
LS1LT1's Avatar
LS1LT1
Team Owner
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Default

Originally Posted by BOB EAGAN
I don't have a Vararam but most people here claim it doesn't show on a dyno.
It does show at least some gains on a dyno but the gains on the drag strip are often far greater than what the mere 5-10rwhp gains would normally equate to.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 02:24 PM
  #9  
danl72's Avatar
danl72
Race Director
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,373
Likes: 6
From: Chatsworth California
Default

Originally Posted by keyplyr


Which presents the question; how can hp gains be verified from any CAI if not dyno tested?



Good question. So who has the answer?
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 07:29 PM
  #10  
BOB EAGAN's Avatar
BOB EAGAN
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
From: BURTON MI
Default Cai

Originally Posted by danl72
Good question. So who has the answer?
Most can be tested on the dyno, it's the one's where you cut the shrowd for Cold Air Intake that don't show up till the car is moving. Since you can't test it while it's moving there is no accurate way to measure any gain. One can only guess based on inprovements in the ET.(I believe the rule of thumb is 10 HP for each 1/10 in the quarter.) Hope this somewhat answers your question.

Last edited by BOB EAGAN; Sep 8, 2008 at 09:46 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 08:39 PM
  #11  
C5pilot's Avatar
C5pilot
Race Director
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,907
Likes: 1
From: Between a rock and a hard place, S.E. PA
Default

I'd believe close to 40HP for the C5 Vararam but not the C6. Going by my time slips I'd say it's closer to 20HP. Either way, it's cheap HP. However, if you have an A6, tuning will net far better gains for about the same money and tons more SOTP thrills. But for best results, install the CAI, then get tuned (w/street tune). Then enjoy.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 09:30 PM
  #12  
LS1LT1's Avatar
LS1LT1
Team Owner
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Default

Originally Posted by C5pilot
I'd believe close to 40HP for the C5 Vararam but not the C6. Going by my time slips I'd say it's closer to 20HP. Either way, it's cheap HP. However, if you have an A6, tuning will net far better gains for about the same money and tons more SOTP thrills. But for best results, install the CAI, then get tuned (w/street tune). Then enjoy.
100%
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To intake truths





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:27 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE