Throwing around some CAI ideas
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Throwing around some CAI ideas I have been researching the different options for a CAI on a C5. The Vararam seems to be the best by far. Followed by the halltechs and blackwing. I just spent all my money on hand on my down payment on the Z06. And like all of you I have the modding bug very badly. I was thinking about throwing something together for not a whole lot of coin. I do not want to do the flip mod, cutting the car is not really something I want to do at this point. Here are a couple ideas I have.
K&N replacement for stock filter 60 bucks. The K&N straight up replacement filters have not shown any real hp gains on the lsx motors from what I have read on the forum over the years. So this idea really is not that great.
Making my own cold air. This is where the questions are. I have looked at all of the cold airs with a open air filter that sits on the radiator. They are all over 200 dollars. So I am thinking about buying a K&N cone filter and removing the factory air box and adding the cone. I my mind this will be the same exact thing as the other cold airs wich cost much more. The K&N cone is 60 bucks, I will need a fernco to mate the cone to the mass air. And a few other odds and ends most likely. So let me know what you all think of this, if you have or have seen anyone do it themselves are have any tips for me. Also if you dont think this is feasible let me know.
K&N replacement for stock filter 60 bucks. The K&N straight up replacement filters have not shown any real hp gains on the lsx motors from what I have read on the forum over the years. So this idea really is not that great.
Making my own cold air. This is where the questions are. I have looked at all of the cold airs with a open air filter that sits on the radiator. They are all over 200 dollars. So I am thinking about buying a K&N cone filter and removing the factory air box and adding the cone. I my mind this will be the same exact thing as the other cold airs wich cost much more. The K&N cone is 60 bucks, I will need a fernco to mate the cone to the mass air. And a few other odds and ends most likely. So let me know what you all think of this, if you have or have seen anyone do it themselves are have any tips for me. Also if you dont think this is feasible let me know.
On a C6 the Vararam is very possibly the best performing CAI available but there are some that will debate that (and rightfully so for there are no exact answers here) but on the C5s I don't think there are any doubts. The Vararam is THE one to get and I wouldn't even mess with any zip tie mods or home built systems, I'd just go for the mighty VR.
Flip-tie for me, no money out of pocket and a little over 1 hour of work, it HAS to make more power on the highway with the air being forced in...
I'll be dyno tuning the car at Vengeance soon and we'll see how it works...
I'll be dyno tuning the car at Vengeance soon and we'll see how it works...
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Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2005
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I just bought the Halltech and love it. Very easy install and cleans up the engine bay alittle as well. Pretty much every friend that I have has the Halltech on their vette and not one of us have been dissappointed. Either the Vararam or the Halltech.... But dont make a homemade one.
Have any pics of the Z06? I just bought a 01 Z06 with 17k miles not too long ago. What color?
Have any pics of the Z06? I just bought a 01 Z06 with 17k miles not too long ago. What color?
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
I just bought the Halltech and love it. Very easy install and cleans up the engine bay alittle as well. Pretty much every friend that I have has the Halltech on their vette and not one of us have been dissappointed. Either the Vararam or the Halltech.... But dont make a homemade one.
Have any pics of the Z06? I just bought a 01 Z06 with 17k miles not too long ago. What color?
Have any pics of the Z06? I just bought a 01 Z06 with 17k miles not too long ago. What color?
I picked up a used Vararam for $200. It's not something that a chassis dyno can easily show a gain, but 1/4 mile times should be a good way to quantify the power gains.
I bought my '99 FRC last March, and I understand how it is the first couple months wanting to mod without much available funds. You might consider lowering it down on the stock bolts (but you need to have it aligned afterwards); port your throttle body; bypass the coolant to the throttle body. There may be a few other freebies you can do while you build up funds.
10 months after buying mine I have added LT headers, no cats, Borla Stingers, cam, FAST intake, ported TB, 30# injectors, and extra set of rear wheels with M/T drag radials. It'll get on the dyno next week for a final tune. Look for good deals on the forums, do as much work as you are able to, and enjoy the added power.
I bought my '99 FRC last March, and I understand how it is the first couple months wanting to mod without much available funds. You might consider lowering it down on the stock bolts (but you need to have it aligned afterwards); port your throttle body; bypass the coolant to the throttle body. There may be a few other freebies you can do while you build up funds.
10 months after buying mine I have added LT headers, no cats, Borla Stingers, cam, FAST intake, ported TB, 30# injectors, and extra set of rear wheels with M/T drag radials. It'll get on the dyno next week for a final tune. Look for good deals on the forums, do as much work as you are able to, and enjoy the added power.
I picked up a used Vararam for $200. It's not something that a chassis dyno can easily show a gain, but 1/4 mile times should be a good way to quantify the power gains.
I bought my '99 FRC last March, and I understand how it is the first couple months wanting to mod without much available funds. You might consider lowering it down on the stock bolts (but you need to have it aligned afterwards); port your throttle body; bypass the coolant to the throttle body. There may be a few other freebies you can do while you build up funds.
10 months after buying mine I have added LT headers, no cats, Borla Stingers, cam, FAST intake, ported TB, 30# injectors, and extra set of rear wheels with M/T drag radials. It'll get on the dyno next week for a final tune. Look for good deals on the forums, do as much work as you are able to, and enjoy the added power.
I bought my '99 FRC last March, and I understand how it is the first couple months wanting to mod without much available funds. You might consider lowering it down on the stock bolts (but you need to have it aligned afterwards); port your throttle body; bypass the coolant to the throttle body. There may be a few other freebies you can do while you build up funds.
10 months after buying mine I have added LT headers, no cats, Borla Stingers, cam, FAST intake, ported TB, 30# injectors, and extra set of rear wheels with M/T drag radials. It'll get on the dyno next week for a final tune. Look for good deals on the forums, do as much work as you are able to, and enjoy the added power.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
There was another post on one of the forums where a guy took the stock airbox, flipped it over and cut a square hole in the shroud. Effectively making a home made honker system. Try dong a search. that would be the cheapest and easiest mod.
BTW I still have my old Vararam sitting in my garage somewhere. Removed it for a supercharger. PM me and I'll give you a good price, plus you are in Nashville too, no shipping.
BTW I still have my old Vararam sitting in my garage somewhere. Removed it for a supercharger. PM me and I'll give you a good price, plus you are in Nashville too, no shipping.
I bought the 78 FAST used for $400, which is just a little more than a used LS6 manifold. I have not dyno tested either intake, so I won't comment on their advantages. I have read from Tony Mamo that his ported 78mm FAST made within 5 hp of his ported 90mm. I did just a little home porting on my intake, so I won't claim any big numbers out of it. It will get dyno tuned next week, so we'll see if it sucks or is decent.