Intake: Most Bang for my Buck - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SETFREE · 08-26-2011, 06:08 PM

So I am trying to find a good intake with the most bang for my buck for me New LT Camaro, Ive looked on C5 but id like to ask some opinions on what is best for horse power gains and just overall, Im looking to spend no more then $500-600 total

DarkneSS · 08-26-2011, 06:18 PM

600 will easily cover it.

Best one performance wise is the Vararam intake, itll cost you no more than like $375.

The rest are literally all about the same, its really a take your pick scenario but Cold Air Inductions looks the best.

Beauwulf · 08-26-2011, 06:22 PM

There are many threads to reference on this subject in this section. The majority seem to like either the Injun or the Vararam....

GoldCartridgeGamer · 08-26-2011, 06:24 PM

I myself am going with CAI, inc. intake due to fear of hydro-locking from the Injen and I am not a fan of messing with my radiator mounts for the Vararam install.

SETFREE · 08-26-2011, 06:25 PM

Ive seen one that looks almost like an incased box, with plexi glass, I swore some person on here was selling it, said i gave 15hp increase ........what was that?

SETFREE · 08-26-2011, 06:33 PM

And I know this may be a stupid question but what does it do to the gas milage?

Beauwulf · 08-26-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SETFREE

And I know this may be a stupid question but what does it do to the gas milage?

Pretty much any time you do a bolt on that actually adds power you sacrifice a little gas mileage.... Sometimes not but those are rare occasions!

dethklok · 08-26-2011, 06:38 PM

Before making your choice, listen to the videos on BBK and Roto-Fab as well. They're all about the same, injen has the drop tube, CAI has the cover, BBK and RF use the hood as the top but seem to provide a mean tone as well. I listened to all on v6s before I made my choice.

SIXJAK · 08-26-2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SETFREE

Ive seen one that looks almost like an incased box, with plexi glass, I swore some person on here was selling it, said i gave 15hp increase ........what was that?

That would be the CAI Inc intake.

zogster · 08-26-2011, 07:08 PM

The three most popular options seem to be Injen long tube, Vararam, and CAI Inc.

If you want the most power out of it -- proven that Injen makes more than every other CAI except perhaps the Vararam (no test data on the same car, same temp, etc, Injen vs. Vararam), so there's no way of knowing.

Possibly the nicest looking, and also good performance gains is the CAI. I think the Rotofab is pretty nice looking as well.

Personally I have the Injen, I got it used for half the price of the Vararam, so that made my choice easy. I have yet to install it however.

MY2012RS · 08-26-2011, 07:11 PM

I don't have my car yet but from what I have been reading here I'm going with CAI.
Good Luck with your new car

2011 Camaro V6 LS · 08-26-2011, 07:13 PM

I am going with roto fab, Injen is great but it rains alot where I live and CAI Inc looks nice but I couldn't justify spending $200 more for looks.

Main · 08-26-2011, 09:12 PM

I just got my CAI intake last week.

Positives -

Very easy install. Took about 30 minutes, and I'm an IT worker, not really mechanically inclined.

Sounds awesome. At WOT the car sounds like a different car, it's just beautiful sounding.

Fit and finish and engineering is superb. Everything fit exactly, and was well designed for the car. I went for the black finish, and it looks great.

No tune is required, and I haven't seen any issues personally with CEL or others.

CAI was awesome - I had a question and they got right on the phone with me to answer it. Bill was awesome to deal with and made sure everything was great.

Negatives -

You don't have to relocate the washer bottle as you do with some intakes, but you will have to open the 3 thumbscrews and remove the lid to top up your washer fluid once installed. Not a major negative really, just a pain in the winter I'm thinking!

Anyways.. I'd highly recommend.

PoorMansCamaro · 08-26-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zogster

The three most popular options seem to be Injen long tube, Vararam, and CAI Inc.

If you want the most power out of it -- proven that Injen makes more than every other CAI except perhaps the Vararam (no test data on the same car, same temp, etc, Injen vs. Vararam), so there's no way of knowing.

Possibly the nicest looking, and also good performance gains is the CAI. I think the Rotofab is pretty nice looking as well.

Personally I have the Injen, I got it used for half the price of the Vararam, so that made my choice easy. I have yet to install it however.

+1

Injen ftw

08-26-2011, 06:08 PM	#1
SETFREE Drives: 2010 CHEVY CAMARO Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: CALIFORNIA Posts: 130	Intake: Most Bang for my Buck So I am trying to find a good intake with the most bang for my buck for me New LT Camaro, Ive looked on C5 but id like to ask some opinions on what is best for horse power gains and just overall, Im looking to spend no more then $500-600 total

08-26-2011, 06:22 PM	#3
Beauwulf Drives: '10 LT RS A6 & '04 Acura RSX Type S Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,529	There are many threads to reference on this subject in this section. The majority seem to like either the Injun or the Vararam.... __________________

08-26-2011, 06:24 PM	#4
GoldCartridgeGamer Drives: 2014 Ford SVT Raptor SuperCrew Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 7,527	I myself am going with CAI, inc. intake due to fear of hydro-locking from the Injen and I am not a fan of messing with my radiator mounts for the Vararam install. __________________ Phoenix (sold) 2014 Ford SVT Raptor SuperCrew How to hug your camaro Buy the car that you would most like to get beat in. The other guy will always be faster.

08-26-2011, 06:38 PM	#8
dethklok Drives: 2011 2LT RS Black/Orange Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Flower Mound TX Posts: 20	Before making your choice, listen to the videos on BBK and Roto-Fab as well. They're all about the same, injen has the drop tube, CAI has the cover, BBK and RF use the hood as the top but seem to provide a mean tone as well. I listened to all on v6s before I made my choice. __________________ Evil BeeMRT v1, Roto-Fab CAI, DefenderWorx Quarter Window Louvers, Barricade decals

08-26-2011, 07:11 PM	#11
MY2012RS Drives: 2012 1LT Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 322	I don't have my car yet but from what I have been reading here I'm going with CAI. Good Luck with your new car __________________

08-26-2011, 06:18 PM	#2
DarkneSS Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS 6MT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Westchester, New York Posts: 3,715	600 will easily cover it. Best one performance wise is the Vararam intake, itll cost you no more than like $375. The rest are literally all about the same, its really a take your pick scenario but Cold Air Inductions looks the best.

08-26-2011, 06:25 PM	#5
SETFREE Drives: 2010 CHEVY CAMARO Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: CALIFORNIA Posts: 130	Ive seen one that looks almost like an incased box, with plexi glass, I swore some person on here was selling it, said i gave 15hp increase ........what was that?

08-26-2011, 06:33 PM	#6
SETFREE Drives: 2010 CHEVY CAMARO Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: CALIFORNIA Posts: 130	And I know this may be a stupid question but what does it do to the gas milage?

08-26-2011, 07:08 PM	#10
zogster Drives: 2014 RRM ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: IL Posts: 659	The three most popular options seem to be Injen long tube, Vararam, and CAI Inc. If you want the most power out of it -- proven that Injen makes more than every other CAI except perhaps the Vararam (no test data on the same car, same temp, etc, Injen vs. Vararam), so there's no way of knowing. Possibly the nicest looking, and also good performance gains is the CAI. I think the Rotofab is pretty nice looking as well. Personally I have the Injen, I got it used for half the price of the Vararam, so that made my choice easy. I have yet to install it however.

08-26-2011, 07:13 PM	#12
2011 Camaro V6 LS Drives: 2011 Camaro V6 LS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 115	I am going with roto fab, Injen is great but it rains alot where I live and CAI Inc looks nice but I couldn't justify spending $200 more for looks.

08-26-2011, 09:12 PM	#13
Main Drives: 10 Camaro 2LT, 10 SRX FWD Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Posts: 167	I just got my CAI intake last week. Positives - Very easy install. Took about 30 minutes, and I'm an IT worker, not really mechanically inclined. Sounds awesome. At WOT the car sounds like a different car, it's just beautiful sounding. Fit and finish and engineering is superb. Everything fit exactly, and was well designed for the car. I went for the black finish, and it looks great. No tune is required, and I haven't seen any issues personally with CEL or others. CAI was awesome - I had a question and they got right on the phone with me to answer it. Bill was awesome to deal with and made sure everything was great. Negatives - You don't have to relocate the washer bottle as you do with some intakes, but you will have to open the 3 thumbscrews and remove the lid to top up your washer fluid once installed. Not a major negative really, just a pain in the winter I'm thinking! Anyways.. I'd highly recommend. __________________ 2010 2LT - IBM w/Beige Interior - Ordered May 21, 2009 Delivered home September 17, 2009. Thank you Oshawa GM Employees!

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