INTAKE WARS!!!
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From: St Louis, MO
INTAKE WARS!!! I'm sure most of you have seen the great intake debates over on corvetteforum. I've finally decided to work on mine. Currently I have a Donaldson and a descreened '99 MAF.
Last time at the track I logged a couple runs where the IAT's were a lot higher than I'd like.
Right now I'm considering either the Vortex or the Vararam. First let me say I dont buy into ram-air for cars, but what I like about the Vararam is that I dont have to disrupt the airflow to my radiator. What I like about the Vortex is price.
I'm convinced that either of these will work better than my Donaldson, but I'm starting to be convinced that the Vararam is the best.
Other things I'm considering is 85mm MAF, larger air bridge and ported TB.
What do you think?
Eric
Last time at the track I logged a couple runs where the IAT's were a lot higher than I'd like.
Right now I'm considering either the Vortex or the Vararam. First let me say I dont buy into ram-air for cars, but what I like about the Vararam is that I dont have to disrupt the airflow to my radiator. What I like about the Vortex is price.
I'm convinced that either of these will work better than my Donaldson, but I'm starting to be convinced that the Vararam is the best.
Other things I'm considering is 85mm MAF, larger air bridge and ported TB.
What do you think?
Eric
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From: Los Angeles
Re: INTAKE WARS!!! I think you should take baby steps and get the stuff dyno'd to see what works and what doesnt.
First, do the ported TB just because its free and see if your dyno results go up. Then do the maf/bridge and see if shows up on the dyno, assuming you can get the stuff for a good price.
As for the intakes, I'd probably guess the vararam would be a good way to go in the end. However, I've heard that the quality was questionable and that it interfered with the foglamps. Have they fixed those issues?
First, do the ported TB just because its free and see if your dyno results go up. Then do the maf/bridge and see if shows up on the dyno, assuming you can get the stuff for a good price.
As for the intakes, I'd probably guess the vararam would be a good way to go in the end. However, I've heard that the quality was questionable and that it interfered with the foglamps. Have they fixed those issues?
Re: INTAKE WARS!!! I went with the Vararam intake, I have been seeing some of the prices go down to 399 in some places. You'll have to search for it though. I gained .3 in the quarter with it. You won't see really any gains on the dyno with that ram air set up. Maybe a little but not much. The craftsmanship of it is alittle but desired, but You can't see the thing anyways hardly when its installed and well it works. I am in the process of doing a huge upgrade with mine right now. Intake, Heads, Cam, Headers, etc. Dude I cannot wait
Thread Starter
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From: St Louis, MO
Re: INTAKE WARS!!! I agree with you about dynoing. I'm going to get an LS6 intake on there first and do some tuning.
I'm sure I wont see the high IAT temps on the dyno like I was on the track.
Eric
I'm sure I wont see the high IAT temps on the dyno like I was on the track.
Eric
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From: Kemah, Tx.
Re: INTAKE WARS!!! Impala dude, I personally think the Blackeing will do just fine. I don't think it is worth the hassle. I dunno if there is a mod that you can put functional ZO6 screens, but if so, that will get some cold air into it. I just don't think all of the jockeying around and money is worth it and it doesnt really show up at the track either. Good luck in whatever you do.
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From: St Louis, MO
Re: INTAKE WARS!!! FLYNLO, I see what you're saying but I can show you EFILive logs of 100 degree intake temps when its only 60 outside.
Thats the real reason I want to get rid of the blackwing.
Eric
Thats the real reason I want to get rid of the blackwing.
Eric
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From: TEXAS
Re: INTAKE WARS!!! I haven't figured out the VaraRam. I was going to get it for my dad for christmas this year for his '03 Z06. Then about a week before I saw it go on a stock '03 car with the only other mods being a TB bypass and a lower stat. Wanna know what it dyno'd? The exact same amount (within 2-3hp). Yet people still show 1-2mph thru the traps with it. So it has to do something but it sure as hell doesn't show anything on a dyno. And that was even with 2 big fans, one on each side of the car blowing into it.
And I don't care what anyone says it isn't worth what they ask for it either.
And I don't care what anyone says it isn't worth what they ask for it either.
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From: Kemah, Tx.
Re: INTAKE WARS!!! Thumper, the reason it doesn't show up on the dyno is that it's biggest advatage is ram air(theoretically).....and there is none on the dyno(not 110mph air anyway). As far as ZO6s go, the factory box works very well. GM actually got the thing to breathe very well....stock. And all of the previous/conventional mods that we did to C5s don't seem to yield as much(many times nothing as you stated) improvement on a ZO6(some people will even argue that a Blackwing on a ZO6 might even zap a little power). The biggest improvement I have seen in any mod on a ZO6 is J-rods stock box with the lid removed....he has before and after dynos to show it. I have a Blackwing on my ZO6 and will remove the top of the stock box and dyno again just for ***** and grins. Should be interesting. I had a BW on my 2000 Coupe and it did make a significant improvement(SOTP...no dyno) Good Luck.
<small>[ February 03, 2003, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: FLYNLO ]</small>
<small>[ February 03, 2003, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: FLYNLO ]</small>
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Teching In
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: houston,texas
Re: INTAKE WARS!!! been their , done that, go with the vortech, i picked up 4mph and went from 13.38 to 13.00. got it used also with pre-cut shroud at speed demon for 150.00 see josh best bang for buck..looks like new . used parts go fast also.
Re: INTAKE WARS!!! I would go with the Vortex. I have the old halltec cobra and tric and love it. I road race so I cant tell you what it did for ET, But my neighbor has a 2000 that runs low 11's. He switched from the vortex to the vararam and didn't notice any difference. The vararam is a better looking set up but to me thats not worth the extra money.
Good luck, Dale
Good luck, Dale
TECH Enthusiast
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From: Newport Coast, Ca
Re: INTAKE WARS!!! Vara Ram!!!
Had a Halltech before, with the Vara Ram i gained 1mph and .15 e.t. OVER the halltech.
times in the sig. DA was approx +1400-1600 ft.
I'll be racing this weekend at a sea level track!
ONLY mods are Vara RAm AND bfg's....
Had a Halltech before, with the Vara Ram i gained 1mph and .15 e.t. OVER the halltech.
times in the sig. DA was approx +1400-1600 ft.
I'll be racing this weekend at a sea level track!
ONLY mods are Vara RAm AND bfg's....
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Houston, TX
Re: INTAKE WARS!!! I dyno'd 352 rwhp stock with my 03 Z, and redyno'd when I added the Vararam. It was my only mod at the time and I pulled a 363 rwhp, an increase of 11 rwhp. I wonder why some get no gains.
Re: INTAKE WARS!!! Dunno why some people get no gains <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
But, Z06DUST, you have an 03 Z06? Do/can you still have the screens in the airdamn w/ the VaraRam? Just curious...
But, Z06DUST, you have an 03 Z06? Do/can you still have the screens in the airdamn w/ the VaraRam? Just curious...
Teching In
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Have any of you guys tried this part from www.slponline.com, for use with the Blackwing??? 
:
http://www.slponline.com/view_produc...RTNUMBER=21112
"This C5 Cold-Air Filter Shroud works in conjunction with our SLP Blackwing air filter (part #21110) to provide the ultimate in intake-air flow for your 1997-2000 Corvette. To install, make a rectangle-shaped cut-out in the plastic factory splash panel, just below the air-filter mounting location. The shroud then fits over the Blackwing, forcing cool outside air into the filter for a noticeable performance gain. Increases of up to 28 horsepower (compared with the stock air box and filter) are possible in this configuration. The C5 Cold-Air Filter Shroud is manufactured from durable black ABS plastic for a clean, factory appearance and comes with four OEM-style plastic push rivets for easy installation. "
:http://www.slponline.com/view_produc...RTNUMBER=21112
"This C5 Cold-Air Filter Shroud works in conjunction with our SLP Blackwing air filter (part #21110) to provide the ultimate in intake-air flow for your 1997-2000 Corvette. To install, make a rectangle-shaped cut-out in the plastic factory splash panel, just below the air-filter mounting location. The shroud then fits over the Blackwing, forcing cool outside air into the filter for a noticeable performance gain. Increases of up to 28 horsepower (compared with the stock air box and filter) are possible in this configuration. The C5 Cold-Air Filter Shroud is manufactured from durable black ABS plastic for a clean, factory appearance and comes with four OEM-style plastic push rivets for easy installation. "
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From: katy, tx
Originally Posted by 66ImpalaLT1
FLYNLO, I see what you're saying but I can show you EFILive logs of 100 degree intake temps when its only 60 outside.
Thats the real reason I want to get rid of the blackwing.
Eric
Thats the real reason I want to get rid of the blackwing.
Eric
Dean
Thread Starter
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From: St Louis, MO
Just to update everyone, I ran the Vararam for a little over 6 months. It is a good idea that is poorly implemented. After a lot of frustration caused by not being able to seal the filter to the top I removed it and installed a MTI Ram Air with a K&N filter. I have a few complaints about this too, so I dont know how long I'll keep this.
