o2bnkc

Is the Callaway basically set up like a Vararam? I've never seen where the air intake is from on those.

Tsumi

Callaway Honker cuts into the radiator shroud and pulls air directly from in front of the radiator. Basically, pulling air before it gets through the radiator, which makes it a true CAI.

o2bnkc

Thanks for the info. Do they work as well as a Vararam? I assume they're a lot easier to install?

Tsumi

From what I have read, they do not work as well, they sit somewhere between the Vararam and stock intake (closer to Vararam). Installation is easier, they provide you with a template to cut the shroud. Cost is significantly higher, partially because it is California smog legal (Vararam and almost all other CAIs are not). Fit and finish is significantly better than Vararam.

oneandgone

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...irst-tune.html

What kind of power would you have expected?

solo25

I like the sound of the vents sucking in air when I start mine up.

Speedy007

Scarlett-73

I have a Callaway Honker on my C5, it sits in front of the radiator, and sucks filtered air forced upward by the air dam. When I first bought the car I saw it and thought it was nothing special, then I had Corvette Center do a little tuning and Ray Zisa told me that the Callaway Honker was the best there is on the market. He also told me that because it provides such a large volume of air that the car really required a tune to properly support it. After he tuned the car it saw a horsepower gain of 24 hp. I can't comment on Hydro lock but Its' only seen heavy rain once, (returning from a car show). I've also seen a chart that shows the volume of air in comparison to others, I'll look for it and see if I can cut and paste to this thread.

Gordy M

The Callaway CAI intake is a refined version of the "Icebox" intake from the early 00's, the system uses the same air as the radiator and the early "Icebox" systems was used on several Open Road events at that time. It was used on the C5 because the Veraram gets limited in the amount of air available at speeds over 130 mph. The Veraram was an early introduction into the CAI for the C5 along with Vortex Rammer. When the Callaway system came it was several years later, and then the Halltech (thru the front license plate) system was around. If you look at the C5 road race cars in that time period most used a Icebox or Halltech system because of price but the average C5 owner opted to the Veraram because you did not have to cut into the body panels or shroud. All of them are very good for the average owner but because they are using Cooler, ambient air they really should have a good scan tune to get the best performance. However if you are unfortunate to live in California, then you have to find one that is CARB approved.

Finally, in a stock LS1 engine you can only have around 43.25 CI of air entering into each cylinder. With the PCM acting as an engine management system, the software tune can help optimize the air/gas mixture and cooler ambient air will allow a more dense charge into the intake. You can only put so much air into the cylinder without going boost or NO.

ZZ06

I am one of the people I guess you would call "BS" on in regards to hydrolock. When, in fact, I DID hydrolock the engine. I had the Vararam system on my car and while it is a performer, I wouldn't go down that road again. I lost my motor due to a violent downpour that left a section of road questionable. While I was paying attention, to where I clearly saw deep water on one side of the road, the side I was on wasn't as deep, but deeper than I realized. My car is factory ride height as well. I believe 100% had I had an under hood CAI I would've saved the original engine. No water made it into the vehicle. No water over the hood. Just waterlogged through the Vararam. I have pictures of this posted on here somewhere back when it happened a few years ago, but I don't think CF is allowing 3rd party posting anymore.

grantv

Respect to you for posting this. Exactly why I would fear installing any bottom feeding closed system on anything other than a track car or garage queen.

Sam Handwich

that video is a waste of time.
Because calling it a CAI does not make it a real CAI............. IYKNIM

2k2wranglerx

dude was yelling at me the whole time... it was like being at home

Route99

I believe you will be very pleased with your BBE PRT. We have this on our C5.
Authoritative sound at start up and idle; aggressive when accelerating hard, but quiet enough to carry on a conversation when cruising at highway speed. Best of all - no drone.
The true selling point to me is even my wife has commented to others that these are the best of both worlds for someone who wants a nice sounding exhaust that is quiet when on a trip.

radar502

I have a VR installed on my 04 and yes I have been in some deep water I am in Houston ever heard of ( Harvey ) yep we get some deep *** water around her and you never know when is going to happen ,the man might say 10% rain BS might be a flood .. I never had a problem but I do know some people that had there Corvette lock up in deep water ,I think wrong time wrong place .. I like mine .. Just saying ..

radar502

Ok rain pic

radc5

I returned the vara ram I purchased, I found it to be very cheaply made. The callaway seems to be more of a quality product.

sabastian458

I did a massive write up about the Vararam back years ago on that Z06 site. Same arguments then as what’s here. I had all my data backing up everything that I posted, but because it was against one of their mods, who didn’t like what I posted, he edited and deleted each of my posts stating that I could not link to a site that wasn’t paying for vendor status. Even though the links weren’t to a product page for the sell of any items.

The front of the car does get high pressure on it at speed, one of the reasons the brake cooling ducts are located just below the fog light area. In substantial rain, on a flooded road, you could injest water, all intake systems can under the right conditions. Know your car, know your mods and you will be fine.

I decided the Vararam over any other because I did not want to risk reducing any airflow that went to the radiator/condenser. This in the only intake system that does that without sucking hot air.

radar502

Yes they are cheaply made for sure ,I got a nice used one and it works for me .

CorvetteKid82

Daily drove on I4 in Florida for over a year with the Vararam. No issues with water at all.