Best C.A.I for the $$
01-24-2010, 12:59 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Best C.A.I for the $$
OK guys i'm sure this topic has been "beaten to death" but here goes anyway. In this forums opinion what is the best cold air intake on the market with the "best bang for the buck"? My application is a '99 FRC with the only mod thus far being the download of a Hypertech PP3 tuner. I will also be doing at the same time or shortly thereafter a cat back system (topic in itself). Your opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
VaPuller:
Thanks in advance,
VaPuller:
Last edited by VaPuller; 01-24-2010 at 01:38 PM.
01-24-2010, 01:43 PM
#3
Almost all after market CAI will add power but imo from research the Vararam seems to be the best performance wise but some say you need a custom mail order tune made for the Vararam to see the full potential. The thing that stopped me from going with a Vararam some say build quality suffers and I am picky so for me that stopped me. But the cost of the Vararam and performance are the best bang for the buck (imo from research) and think about screens if you go with this unit. Do your research and decide what is best for you.
GL
GL
01-24-2010, 01:56 PM
#4
Team Owner
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I'm partial to Blackwing.
01-24-2010, 02:01 PM
#5
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
Vararam is the only intake I would run 
They perform
http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/categ...?categoryId=27
They perform
http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/categ...?categoryId=27
01-24-2010, 02:07 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
so you are actually asking what is the cheapest c.a.i. that works well.
That would be the twin K&N cone setup. Its the cheapest and worked well on the dyno.
Best for the money spent would be calloway; vararam; blackwing
That would be the twin K&N cone setup. Its the cheapest and worked well on the dyno.
Best for the money spent would be calloway; vararam; blackwing
01-24-2010, 02:34 PM
#7
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Thread Starter
Thanks for the reply. Not really looking for the "cheapest" just the best unit for the buck. To clarify, is the Callaway worth the $500 bucks or would the Vararam @ $260 be a better choice? So far looks the Vararam is getting the votes. Should the Vararam be purchased with the "power coupler"?
01-24-2010, 02:41 PM
#9
Melting Slicks
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Best bang for the $$$ C.A.I.
Would be the opening up the top cover of you filter box. (Free).
And a set of Z06 front screens too replace you fog light surrounds.
And a set of Z06 front screens too replace you fog light surrounds.
Last edited by corvettebob1; 01-24-2010 at 02:41 PM. Reason: spelling
01-24-2010, 03:00 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
Most of the so called CAI are not really "Cold Air Intakes" because they still draw in air from under the hood area.
There is only one intake that I know of that actually guarantee's a hp increase and a lower et. and that's the Vararam. It is one of the "true" cold air intakes.
I run a blackwing and I have a box that was made to cover it, and you cut a hole in your shroud, so you are actually drawing in cold air from under the car. There are a couple of other cold air setups but they are usually very pricey (in the $400 to $500 range) I bought my Blackwing and the box for it used on this forum and have less than $275 into it.
I price is your main concern either do the zip tie mod, or cut some holes in the outer shell of the stock box. You can also find some good deals in the "for sale parts" section of this forum.
There is only one intake that I know of that actually guarantee's a hp increase and a lower et. and that's the Vararam. It is one of the "true" cold air intakes.
I run a blackwing and I have a box that was made to cover it, and you cut a hole in your shroud, so you are actually drawing in cold air from under the car. There are a couple of other cold air setups but they are usually very pricey (in the $400 to $500 range) I bought my Blackwing and the box for it used on this forum and have less than $275 into it.
I price is your main concern either do the zip tie mod, or cut some holes in the outer shell of the stock box. You can also find some good deals in the "for sale parts" section of this forum.
01-24-2010, 03:03 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
Thanks for the reply. Not really looking for the "cheapest" just the best unit for the buck. To clarify, is the Callaway worth the $500 bucks or would the Vararam @ $260 be a better choice? So far looks the Vararam is getting the votes. Should the Vararam be purchased with the "power coupler"?
http://www.breathlessperformance.com/products/218.asp
01-24-2010, 03:05 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
Most of the so called CAI are not really "Cold Air Intakes" because they still draw in air from under the hood area.
There is only one intake that I know of that actually guarantee's a hp increase and a lower et. and that's the Vararam. It is one of the "true" cold air intakes.
I run a blackwing and I have a box that was made to cover it, and you cut a hole in your shroud, so you are actually drawing in cold air from under the car. There are a couple of other cold air setups but they are usually very pricey (in the $400 to $500 range) I bought my Blackwing and the box for it used on this forum and have less than $275 into it.
I price is your main concern either do the zip tie mod, or cut some holes in the outer shell of the stock box. You can also find some good deals in the "for sale parts" section of this forum.
There is only one intake that I know of that actually guarantee's a hp increase and a lower et. and that's the Vararam. It is one of the "true" cold air intakes.
I run a blackwing and I have a box that was made to cover it, and you cut a hole in your shroud, so you are actually drawing in cold air from under the car. There are a couple of other cold air setups but they are usually very pricey (in the $400 to $500 range) I bought my Blackwing and the box for it used on this forum and have less than $275 into it.
I price is your main concern either do the zip tie mod, or cut some holes in the outer shell of the stock box. You can also find some good deals in the "for sale parts" section of this forum.
