Opinions on intakes needed
 

Hay everybody! I need some opinions on a couple different intake systems...the first one is the Breathless Performance Vortex Rammer (the one with the clear enclosure with a cone filter inside)...the second is the Vararam VR-B2 (would there be any potential problems with this system being used in the rain?)...and the third is the K&N FIPK (I have experience with K&N systems with my other cars but how would it compare to the others I mentioned?)...

ALL opinions and remarks welcome! Thanks in advance...

RE: Opinions on intakes needed
 

I heard the SLPblackwing air intake is a very good one.

http://www.corvettesofhouston.com/pr...products_id=71

RE: Opinions on intakes needed
 

Pewter, what rims are those in your photobucket pic? I want them!!!! If you have a link to them that would be great.


Thanks!

RE: Opinions on intakes needed
 

Charged, they are made by Ruff Racing and their model number is 278...19 x 9.5rear 18 x 8.5front in Machined Black...nice huh? :)http://www.statuswheels.com/wheels/w...amp;brand_id=2

I bought them brand newon eBay from spdepot01. He had them for sale for $815 + $100 shipping for the set. They're bad ass on my pewter C5 so I know they'll be bad ass with your silver! Can't wait to see em on that beast of yours...

RE: Opinions on intakes needed
 

I just read in the last couple of days that the SLP is the best-flowing intake/filter, like charged is sayin'.

Can't find the link right now (and the site's sponsers wasn't SLP).................

RE: Opinions on intakes needed
 

Hi Pewter, Nice Vette you have. Charged is right the wheels look great. What size tires did you put on them?

RE: Opinions on intakes needed
 

If you live in California, think twice about the Vararam, as it can be a royal pain to install/uninstall/reinstall for smog tests. If you live in a state that doesn't have visual inspections, then take a look at the following (grouped by cold air and non-cold air, but in no particular order) and my comments, if any:

Vararam: Brings cold air in through the fog light panel area to a panel-type filter. Owners have had good luck with system on the dragstrip, but plan on spending hours to install and a bit more to get everything lined up well. Downside: Eliminates engine bay-cooling air that would've come in from the fog light panels (Z06 or coupe/vert with opened-up panels), so the engine bay may end up being toastier, especially if you add headers later. $300-$400 (NOT smog legal in CA)

Vortech Rammer: Brings cold air up from in front of the radiator and into an enclosed box. Its filter is quite a bit smaller than the Halltech Warhead or Blackwing unit. $250 (NOT smog legal in CA)

Callaway Honker intake system: This one relocates the MAF so that it is just in front of the throttlebody. It directs cold air from underneath and costs about $500. I believe this unit is 50 states legal (smogwise) for non=Z06 C5s. Excellent design and quality. If cost is no object, this bad boy should be at the top of your list.

K&N FIPK: This is more of a semi-cold air system, as the cold air intake opening is more of a slit. Its filter endcaps are carbon fiber. However, it is configured similarly to the Halltech Stinger-R and is 50-states legal. $350

Reverse Zip-tie: Allows cold air to be drawn in from underneath, but the bare filter is exposed to potential damage from larger objects. The advantage here is that you may pass smog if the tech doesn't know "which way is up".

Warm air systems: (Easy installation)

Halltech Stinger-R: Not only contains the massive Warhead filter, but also includes a larger-than-stock airbridge and smooth throttlebody coupler. For $350.00 or less, this system represents one of the best bangs for the buck. Fortunately, if you don't like Z06 screens in front of cored-out fog light panels, (for about $40) you can add cold air induction. See my procedure at http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
This is what I did and a swap to smog-legal status is very easy to do, as I have kept my Z06 intake box.

Halltech Stinger SSM: This intake system features an even larger filter than that of the Stinger-R, TRAP, and Blackwing. < $400

Blackwing: Includes just a large filter, but an excellent one at that. Its cost is close to that of the Stinger. Like the Stinger, it is not smog-legal in CA, but can easily be swapped.

Volant Twin Cone: This system gives you more open filter surface area than any stock box does and is well suited to an engine bay that gets cold air in from the fog light panels, as the filters are more or less in the air flow path. $265

2002+ Z06 airbox cover: A larger opening allows more air to be drawn in through the filter. Expect up to a 5 RWHP gain from this simple swap. $50

Zip-tie: An easy and inexpensive mod (eliminates the OEM box’s upper lid), but its sealing ability is questionable at best.

RE: Opinions on intakes needed
 

D,
Thanks! They are Toyo T1R 245/40 ZR18's front and 285/30 ZR19's rear. The Toyo T1R tires are way better than the run-flats, but when these tires are done I think I'm going to change.

RE: Opinions on intakes needed
 

Dave,
As always, thanks for your extensive insights! I've done some research and I like what I've read on the Vararam. The fact that it is a true cold air ram system appeals to me. I was unaware that it was not smog legal. I've almost committed myself to the Vararam, and after considering the labor/performance ratio...I may just sacrifice my labor once every two years for the performance gains. The funny thing is, I went the other way, sacrificing performance, when it came to the headers...I'm going to go ahead and get the legal shorty headers instead of the LG longtubes I've been drooling over! Once I'm out of California, in about 3 years, I'll get em! ;)

RE: Opinions on intakes needed
 

Dan,

Really, there is no "Ram air" effect until the vehicle speed reaches some very high (illegal) number. Consider that the air "rams" into the intake filter, not the cylinder bores. The Callaway Honker is every bit as good as the Vararam from what I've seen AND is 50-states legal for non-Z06s. The other thing to consider is sealing ability. The Vararam often requires extra attention to sealing surface gaps that, if left unnoticed, result in fine sand getting into the intake. I have seen more than a few posts about this. The meticulous installers often do whatever it takes to ensure that this does not happen, but be forewarned that just a small gap can lead to BIG problems down the road.

Dave