and for good reason. 
though I haven't tried the vararam so I can't comment on it...though I do know it's commonly used from reading on the forum
2006 cai
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 65
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From: IL
2006 cai
traded my C5 for 06 rag. Manual, with Z51 package, has Corsa exhaust. Thinking of after market intake. Seems the most common are the Vortex Rammer, Hurricane, Blackwing and K&N. OF COURSE, all promise from 10 to 30 HP gain, yada yada yada. Believe other owners are the best experts. I ask for and welcome your experience and thoughts. Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 137
From: Short Hills, NJ
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 137
From: Short Hills, NJ
And that's what confuses me...there are quite a few units out there that have appearances quite similar to the basic K&N unit but with a slightly better design/shape to them maybe and they call themselves a 'cold air intake' as well when all they might be is just an improved replacement air filter housing with a new air filter.
To me, if you're not cutting some sort of hole/holes in the radiator/condenser shroud and/or the nose of the car when installing it, then you ARE NOT using it as an actual cold air intake.
These types of units all seem well made and in my opinion will definitely perform better than the stock set up (on LS2 cars at least). But how different from each other are they really when used simply in place of the stock housing with no other methods of getting cooler outside air to them is utilized?
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SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Had Vortex Rammer but wouldn't tune properly on Dyno due to suspected turbulence produced. Removed it and went with K&N which tuned properly and gave more power than the Rammer. Even with a K&N, it still breathes a fair amount of outside air since the bottom sides of the intake shroud are open to the outside grille cavity. I measured temps of outside air vs air temps at the K&N filter intake under many driving and idling conditions and found on average a 2 or 3 degree difference. So the K&N isn't breathing significantly hotter air than a cut shroud breather. I'm very happy with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 959
Likes: 3
From: Hartford CT
!!
And that's what confuses me...there are quite a few units out there that have appearances quite similar to the basic K&N unit but with a slightly better design/shape to them maybe and they call themselves a 'cold air intake' as well when all they might be is just an improved replacement air filter housing with a new air filter.
To me, if you're not cutting some sort of hole/holes in the radiator/condenser shroud and/or the nose of the car when installing it, then you ARE NOT using it as an actual cold air intake.
These types of units all seem well made and in my opinion will definitely perform better than the stock set up (on LS2 cars at least). But how different from each other are they really when used simply in place of the stock housing with no other methods of getting cooler outside air to them is utilized?
I believe all of the above are pretty much the same. I went with Airaid for price and I liked the design of the airbridge (similar to LS7) and that it replaces the factory intake boot.
As far as performance, I am not expecting much although I understand its an improvement over the LS2 design. If I had an LS3, I would stay stock.
These types of air intakes are usually safe bets, although there may be some power on th table.
Now to be a true CAI, you need to cut somewhere. As far as the performance gains a drawbacks to those designs, I suggest you search and read. There is plenty of info!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
Nobody seems to want to say it, maybe because some sponsers are doing it but there are any number of filters falsely advertized as CAI when all they are is a filter and/or a filter box.
If there is no provsion for fresh air to enter the filter it's not a CAI.
If there is no provsion for fresh air to enter the filter it's not a CAI.
Go Canes!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,975
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From: Boca Raton FL
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
I went with the K & N because in S FL the Vararam could pose problems because of the amount of rain. At least that was what I was told at the time (a year and a half ago). Anyway, the K & N is a good unit and has served me well. HP gains from just the CAI? Who knows? I suspect it is not very much!
