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I am looking to replace my stock air box on my 2009 C6 coupe and I hope to find the right one as they have so many to choose from. Now what I understand CAI really means to be bringing in from the outside cold air or air that is not from the engine compartment. As I believe the formula is for every 10 degrees of cooler air than that of the engine compartment, you gain 1% increase in Horsepower. I would like to actually pull air from outside the engine compartment but I do not see any in my price range. I think just getting an upgrade or aftermarket air intake with a large mesh air cleaner wet or dry would be much better then the original air box. I would like to see around 10 hp gain from the install ... any other ideas or options you all have tried that works well?
Vararam is easily the top choice of 8 out of 10 C6 owners who run 10's in the 1/4 mile. (most power)
OEM is the best choice for LS7, LS9, and LS3 engines for owners who want maximum filtration. (cleanest air)
The $2 shroud prop is the best choice as the lowest cost clean air power producer that's also quickly reversible. (most power per dollar + cleanest air) (CA legal)
Pick your poison, but beware of ads that claim HP numbers, since cars don't move on a dyno. The only true test with numerical results is on a dragstrip's timeslip.
I did a bunch of research 2 years ago when I was trying to select a CAI for my 2008 C6M...
There are really only 2 systems available today that truly have COOLER OUTSIDE AIR entering the filter:
- Vararam CAI
-Callaway CAI
All others are located the same as stock, consuming warmer, engine compartment air, using a different, presumably higher flowing air filter.
I initially thought the Vararam was the way to go but read here on the Forum that there were some fitment/quality issues. I chose the Callaway CAI; a high quality intake that's relatively easy to install if you're an avid do-it-yourselfer. I think the HP increases claimed by all the aftermarket air intake manufacturers are quite skewed, but there's no doubt that cooler denser air creates more power. I'm happy with the Callaway system.
I used the Lingenfelter air box which requires you to cutout a large hole in the baffle just in front of the radiator.. Another similar design is the Callaway Honker. Similar set up. Last I looked they both are priced at about 300 to 400. As for horsepower gain I have not checked, but throttle response is improved. I have had no cooling issues.
I used the Lingenfelter air box which requires you to cutout a large hole in the baffle just in front of the radiator.. Another similar design is the Callaway Honker. Similar set up. Last I looked they both are priced at about 300 to 400. As for horsepower gain I have not checked, but throttle response is improved. I have had no cooling issues.
Thanks for your knowledge and reply you are all awesome .... Vette Nation
Once you remove your existing air box, you will find the plastic shroud on the engine side of the resulting cavity. That is the baffle to force in coming air from the front openings through the radiator. That is the partition you must remove to make the cutouts for pre-radiator air. As I recall there are connectors under the front bumper you have to remove and some inside before the radiator. Once all those are removed you will have to manhandle the shroud by bending and pulling from the top to bring it out. Same applies to reinstall. One more thought on another brand of intake. Varam makes a Snake Charmer that brings in pre radiator cool air, but looking at their design I suspect you will have to make cuts somewhere to get the snout open to cool air. I have never installed one of these so I can't be sure.
I have one opinion. If you can't get air from outside the engine bay it's a wasted effort. Other wise why do turbos and superchargers have intercoolers.
The $2 shroud prop is the best choice as the lowest cost clean air power producer that's also quickly reversible. (most power per dollar + cleanest air) (CA legal)
I'm not sure I have heard of this shroud prop. Any other info or a link to what you are talking about? Thanks!
Best, most cost effective setup is either a GS or Z06 intake with a shroud to isolate the intake from engine heat. I think in 2010 all Corvettes changed to the GS/Z06 intake. The GS and the Z06 intakes are slightly different in that the GS has a Helmholtz chamber.
I had bought an uncut shroud from Haltech and trimmed it to fit my GS intake a few years ago. When I installed and E-force, I modified to shroud to work with the E-force intake which is essentially a K&N filter.
Best, most cost effective setup is either a GS or Z06 intake with a shroud to isolate the intake from engine heat. I think in 2010 all Corvettes changed to the GS/Z06 intake. The GS and the Z06 intakes are slightly different in that the GS has a Helmholtz chamber.
I had bought an uncut shroud from Haltech and trimmed it to fit my GS intake a few years ago. When I installed and E-force, I modified to shroud to work with the E-force intake which is essentially a K&N filter.
I know this is off topic, but does anyone know if this setup be adapted to the C5? Thanks....
The rubber trim that I used, I think I bought it at an Autozone. But I think the shroud does come with a few pieces of rubber trim.
As for trimming and how much is required, it just really depends on your car and how precise you want to be. The easiest thing to do is use a piece of cardboard so that you can make a template for the final cut. Just cut it to fit a little at a time and once you have the fit like you want it, then cut the actual shroud to make your cardboard.
Cold Air Intakes
