Cold Air Intake
01-08-2012, 09:37 AM
#2
Le Mans Master
Oh Boy!
About 50% will say KillerBee
40% Vararam
5% others
5% don't mess with it.
About 50% will say KillerBee
40% Vararam
5% others
5% don't mess with it.
01-08-2012, 09:51 AM
#3
Safety Car
Member Since: Jul 2006
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Here we go again.Sorry, I shouldn't have said that, but you will get as many answers to this as there are manufacturers of these items. I've had Vararams in my last two cars ( a C5 and now C6), and I swear by them. Others who have Blackwings, Callaways, or Vortex models will say the same. You probably can't go really wrong with any of them, and the performance results are all open to debate, depending on who you talk to. However, they will all help increase performance. So if price is your main concern, just check here to find the cheapest one on sale.
01-08-2012, 10:37 AM
#7
Team Owner
First you should get the terminology correct.Do you want just a big,nice looking filter that calls itself a CAI or do you want a real CAI??
If the latter is what you want then CALLAWAY,LPE,VARARAM all offer TRU CAI's that actually get outside cold air into the motor at speed.If you want nice dyno numbers and a nice looking big red or blue filter,pretty much any and all of the other ones will do since they are all virtually the same thing!AIR RAID will be the least expensive of said filters,or at least it was last year anyway.Remember,just because the ad says it's a CAI doesn't mean it really is one!
Now,BANG FOR THE BUCK??Cut a nice hole in the bottom of your oem shroud to allow cold air in and bingo,you've accomplished what you want!!You'll have a CAI setup on your car...FREE!!!!
If the latter is what you want then CALLAWAY,LPE,VARARAM all offer TRU CAI's that actually get outside cold air into the motor at speed.If you want nice dyno numbers and a nice looking big red or blue filter,pretty much any and all of the other ones will do since they are all virtually the same thing!AIR RAID will be the least expensive of said filters,or at least it was last year anyway.Remember,just because the ad says it's a CAI doesn't mean it really is one!
Now,BANG FOR THE BUCK??Cut a nice hole in the bottom of your oem shroud to allow cold air in and bingo,you've accomplished what you want!!You'll have a CAI setup on your car...FREE!!!!
01-08-2012, 10:46 AM
#10
Race Director
I am one of the 5% who think, don't mess with it. I had a Vararam for awhile and went back to OEM.
Not enough to be gained unless a true cold air intake, then possible problems with contaminates or water.
The cooler air will let you get more timing. If just for street use I recommend a pass.
Also consider the real power gains are at higher speeds!
You got a bet with a buddy at the track, then go for it. But remember practice will probably net you better results. Street use is a waste of money as far as I am concerned.
Not worth the hassle and not CARB legal. A tune is needed to for best results. Now your looking at nearly $1,000. And for what?
Not enough to be gained unless a true cold air intake, then possible problems with contaminates or water.
The cooler air will let you get more timing. If just for street use I recommend a pass.
Also consider the real power gains are at higher speeds!
You got a bet with a buddy at the track, then go for it. But remember practice will probably net you better results. Street use is a waste of money as far as I am concerned.
Not worth the hassle and not CARB legal. A tune is needed to for best results. Now your looking at nearly $1,000. And for what?
01-08-2012, 12:49 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Sep 2007
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First you should get the terminology correct.Do you want just a big,nice looking filter that calls itself a CAI or do you want a real CAI??
If the latter is what you want then CALLAWAY,LPE,VARARAM all offer TRU CAI's that actually get outside cold air into the motor at speed.If you want nice dyno numbers and a nice looking big red or blue filter,pretty much any and all of the other ones will do since they are all virtually the same thing!AIR RAID will be the least expensive of said filters,or at least it was last year anyway.Remember,just because the ad says it's a CAI doesn't mean it really is one!
Now,BANG FOR THE BUCK??Cut a nice hole in the bottom of your oem shroud to allow cold air in and bingo,you've accomplished what you want!!You'll have a CAI setup on your car...FREE!!!!
If the latter is what you want then CALLAWAY,LPE,VARARAM all offer TRU CAI's that actually get outside cold air into the motor at speed.If you want nice dyno numbers and a nice looking big red or blue filter,pretty much any and all of the other ones will do since they are all virtually the same thing!AIR RAID will be the least expensive of said filters,or at least it was last year anyway.Remember,just because the ad says it's a CAI doesn't mean it really is one!
Now,BANG FOR THE BUCK??Cut a nice hole in the bottom of your oem shroud to allow cold air in and bingo,you've accomplished what you want!!You'll have a CAI setup on your car...FREE!!!!
01-08-2012, 03:04 PM
#13
I am one of the 5% who think, don't mess with it. I had a Vararam for awhile and went back to OEM.
Not enough to be gained unless a true cold air intake, then possible problems with contaminates or water.
The cooler air will let you get more timing. If just for street use I recommend a pass.
Also consider the real power gains are at higher speeds!
You got a bet with a buddy at the track, then go for it. But remember practice will probably net you better results. Street use is a waste of money as far as I am concerned.
Not worth the hassle and not CARB legal. A tune is needed to for best results. Now your looking at nearly $1,000. And for what?
Not enough to be gained unless a true cold air intake, then possible problems with contaminates or water.
The cooler air will let you get more timing. If just for street use I recommend a pass.
Also consider the real power gains are at higher speeds!
You got a bet with a buddy at the track, then go for it. But remember practice will probably net you better results. Street use is a waste of money as far as I am concerned.
Not worth the hassle and not CARB legal. A tune is needed to for best results. Now your looking at nearly $1,000. And for what?
01-08-2012, 03:13 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
Are you going to race the car ,do other mods.,or do you want some added intake music? Other than that on the street you will not feel the 10hp an AM unit will give.
01-08-2012, 03:50 PM
#15
Team Owner
You have to be very careful in just cutting a big 'ole hole in the shroud to get "cold air". The LS3/LS7 MAF is very sensitive to turbulence from the incoming air and you could end up with surging, codes being thrown, etc.
01-08-2012, 03:56 PM
#16
Racer
I put a cardboard temporarily to close the hole. My car is surging. A ZO6.
01-09-2012, 02:22 PM
#18
Racer
I was given an Airraid unit as a gift and was a bit hesitant to install it due to the posibility of creating other problems and the extra hassle required to service it. I didn't want to offend the gifter so I went ahead with it. I had only minor issues with the actual install and no problems at all with driveability. It does look better under the hood. No difference at all in performance or mileage. The big surprise was the sound. My only other mods is a Corsa Sport axle back exhaust, and the Airraid made a good sounding exhaust sound even better! I like it and, for my taste, am very satisfied.
01-09-2012, 03:25 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
01-09-2012, 05:53 PM
#20
Safety Car
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So-called cold air intakes scoop extra hot air right off the pavement where it is up to 30 degrees hotter tham ambient, not "cold" air by any stretch of the imagination. Any performance increase is strictly in one's imagination after wasting one's money, and substantially increasing the chance of ingesting road splash into and hydrolocking your engine, something that has been documented numerous times on this Forum.