When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've read many a posts about this but I was curious as to which CAI would be best suited to not hydro lock my motor and or maybe the setup is the key here...thinking about getting me a good CAI but worry about the hydro locking. I personally like the Vararam and Honker seems great, but is there something designed to work better so you dont worry about hydro locking or maybe a better setup to where its less likely to suck in all the water instead of the air.
I really dont think you will have a problem with hydrolocking unless you tend to drive thru rivers. I think you're over worrying
If you are really going to be negotiating lakes and rivers and ???, don't get a CAI, just get an improved filter, if you think the OEM version is lacking.
I enjoy my Vararam very much and the service from Steve and Patrick is above reproach.
I also found myself in a severe thunderstorm a week ago and while I admit to holding my breath the whole way home (7 miles + -), I came through it perfectly fine. I don't want to do it again though. And what a time to be in the rain for the first time in my vette.
Last edited by GotVett?; Aug 18, 2009 at 02:56 PM.
Come to your own conclusions but my experience is the Vararam will hydrolock (at 10 mph and probably lots less as I am trying to be objective) in water that has accumulated during a brief, violent storm where the storm drains were overwhelmed.
I was lucky as my engine was brought back to life without hydrolocking. Even the oil overflow was filled with water.
My advice, just be extremely cautious when heavy rain is possible.
I had a Halltech on my C5 and it worked without issue, I did my research for my C6 and wanted to try a "true" CAI system and went with a Vararam.
My research confirmed there was a bad run and Vararam sent any customer a new corrected piece to anyone that had an issue, the other side of the story is just as simple, take your time and make sure you install the system correctly!
It is not difficult but i still don't understand posts where people want to brag about how fast they performed some mod to their car?
I would prefer to brag how I only had to install/replace something once and how well it performed because I took my time and did it right.
The factory system is fine if you want stock performance, if you want to add performance look at either the Halltech, Callaway or the Vararam and I don't see how you would be disappointed.
My Vararam intake was professionally installed by Cartek and Vararam wanted me to pay full price for a ("fixes") new green filter or to deal with the deformed over time intake that lets debris thru it(supposedly the new one does the same). Be savvy with your purchase and the risks you take.
CAI least likely to hydrolock?
I've read many a posts about this but I was curious as to which CAI would be best suited to not hydro lock my motor
The one least likely to hydrolock the motor is the one attached to a car driven by someone who 1) never drives in the rain 2) doesn't shoot the hose straight into the nose of the car when washing it and 3) knows how to read the road/when to pull over and wait when it's raining/flooding out.
I have a Vararam and love it's proven performance.
I've driven in the heavy rain.
I've washed the car and had it washed by others.
I've never had an issue with hydrolocking or even water getting anywhere near the filter.
Personally, if one is really that concerned/fearful of hydrolocking I would recommend that they stick with the factory/stock air intake system.
First you have to understand what causes hydrolock. Washing your car is not going to hydrolock your engine unless you have a firetruck blasting the its water hose up the intake while the car is running.
Air is lighter then water so even if 3/4 of your intake was under water, it still would not pull the water up into the engine, it would have to be completely sealed by the water in order to create the vacuum required to pull the water in. Now all of the intakes out there, look at where the filter is located in it and how high it is compared to the outside of the car. You have to get the water level above this in order to hydro lock the engine. So with that being said if you drive your car through a river, it will hydro lock, or a lake etc. You can drive in the rain off a Hurricane and it will not hydro lock your car, unless you are driving in the storm surge. Below is our Mamba intake.
[IMG][/IMG]
First you have to understand what causes hydrolock. Washing your car is not going to hydrolock your engine unless you have a firetruck blasting the its water hose up the intake while the car is running.
Air is lighter then water so even if 3/4 of your intake was under water, it still would not pull the water up into the engine, it would have to be completely sealed by the water in order to create the vacuum required to pull the water in. Now all of the intakes out there, look at where the filter is located in it and how high it is compared to the outside of the car. You have to get the water level above this in order to hydro lock the engine. So with that being said if you drive your car through a river, it will hydro lock, or a lake etc. You can drive in the rain off a Hurricane and it will not hydro lock your car, unless you are driving in the storm surge. Below is our Mamba intake.
[IMG][/IMG]
I like that, alot of great advice but this one really put it into perspective...I am not so much scared or worried about it but like any smart individual I like to do my research.