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:

SRI vs. CAI

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 26, 2011 | 12:17 PM
  #1  
Baysixx's Avatar
Baysixx
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Danville Cali
Default SRI vs. CAI

I'm sure this topic has already been posted but I couldn't find any threads relating to it. I have an 05 LS2 mn6 and I want to replace the intake on it. After doing research, the Vararam Gen2 "Snake Charmer" ram air has caught my eye. My question is:
Which will yield more power, and will it be more in the low end or more in the top end?
I feel like most people on the forums went with a short ram intake and I was wondering why. Also I live in the bay area of California so the weather tends to b a bit colder compared to Texas or Florida. Thanks in advance.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2011 | 01:49 PM
  #2  
FloydSummerOf68's Avatar
FloydSummerOf68
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Default

I dislike the vararam because the quality is pretty terrible. The most current design looks like it might be a little better, but the last few "redesigns" have still all been pretty crappy, so who knows.

My recommendation would be to get an Open-Filter intake like the K&N, Airaid or Halltech and then prop your shroud open to provide cold air to it.

Cold air is the goal here and both are able to do it. "Ram Air" is a marketing term.

Last edited by FloydSummerOf68; Nov 26, 2011 at 01:57 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2011 | 02:50 PM
  #3  
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 Baysixx
a short ram intake
By short ram intake (SRI) I assume you're referring to an air intake with a shorter tube between the filter and the MAF as opposed to one with a scoop that reaches further forward pulling cooler air (like the Vararam does) from an area not right up against the hot engine compartment/cavity?
Usually the phrase short ram intake refers to intake manifolds but I think I see what you're trying to say here.

I use the Vararam on my LS2 C6 and like many others have gone pretty damn fast on the drag strip with it too.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2011 | 05:27 PM
  #4  
timd38's Avatar
timd38
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default

Can't go wrong with K&N.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2011 | 05:55 PM
  #5  
matt_lowry123's Avatar
matt_lowry123
Racer
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 415
Likes: 5
From: Owensboro Ky
St. Jude Donor '11
Default

I bought a vararam that was used. I've never tested any before and after at the drag strip but I like it.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2011 | 06:12 PM
  #6  
madmax4499's Avatar
madmax4499
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 795
Likes: 1
From: tacoma wa
Default

the latest vararam is fairly nice, only thing i didnt like, the template they give you could be worked on a little. i would have trimmed less in some more in other places. the two red couplers are different colors. strange! but it seems to perform.

the T/b spacer dosent work on the 09 ls3. puts the connector right on the tensoner pulley.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2011 | 09:46 PM
  #7  
Cor430vette's Avatar
Cor430vette
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 104
From: Texas
Default

Check out Haltech intakes...
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2011 | 11:13 PM
  #8  
2009CSR #45's Avatar
2009CSR #45
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 2
From: Sandy Eggo CA
Default

I liked the design of the Vararam's but read too many posts about bad fit quality. I ended up getting a Volant RAI but it cost $$$. It rams air in from the front grill just like the Vararam but also pulls in cold air from behind the fog lights. Either intake will surge a little (especially downhill) because air is actively being pushed into the ram air scoop. No matter which type of intake you pick, the benefits are usually across the powerband, moreso on the topend.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To SRI vs. CAI

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




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:40 AM.

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