Blackwing vs Vortex Intake
I'm looking to cool the intake charge a bit, and think the Vortex might do this better- since it's a true ram-air, rather than the Blackwing(without shrough)
which suck air from the engine compartment- Application on a Z06.
I've been getting some pinging at low rpm's(1.5-2K) in higher gears, on very hot days (88-95 degrees).
Rolling along, does the Vortex really make some slight boost effect???? I know this might be minimal?
I believe the Blackwing without the icebox, is primarily sucking hot/warm engine compartment air. The Vortex would be sucking cooler street air and while moving a slight decrease in temps...When temps are 88-95 degrees out, I have to think the air the Blackwing is sucking is 100-140 degrees..
The Vortex, should in theory, suck 90-110??? air.. This should transilate into lower intake air temps into the motor which should (I think???) improve the slight pinging I hear at low rpm's (1.3-2K) -while in a higher gear under light to moderate acceleration.. This should/might give me a slight increase in peak power, since every 10 degrees increase or reduction in intake temps equals to about a 1% in power.
When outside temps are lower than 85-83? degrees I get no pinging at all. When temps are 50-60 degrees, fall/spring i can relly notice an increase in power.
Does this make sense?
With the Blackwing, while cruising down the road, the air will be a higher temp than the Vortex at lower speeds and get closer to the Vortex as speeds increase. If it is 85 outside, at highway speeds, a scan will probably show IAT in the 80-90 range.
Something else to consider, for the C6 Z06, GM is going to a Donaldson air filter. If you have an Icebox for the Blackwing, make sure it is tightly sealed to the shroud, otherwise the small amount of warm engine air will also mix with the ambient air and cause the PCM problems with accel/decel, idle and result with engine codes. The same is true with the Vortex.
With the Blackwing, while cruising down the road, the air will be a higher temp than the Vortex at lower speeds and get closer to the Vortex as speeds increase. If it is 85 outside, at highway speeds, a scan will probably show IAT in the 80-90 range.
Something else to consider, for the C6 Z06, GM is going to a Donaldson air filter. If you have an Icebox for the Blackwing, make sure it is tightly sealed to the shroud, otherwise the small amount of warm engine air will also mix with the ambient air and cause the PCM problems with accel/decel, idle and result with engine codes. The same is true with the Vortex.
It seems to me that my issue is temp and/or octane related.. Since lowering intake temps is easier, more reliable and more cost effective then octane booster- Does this make sense???
Thanks for the input!
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Larger injectors, scan, PCM tune and you will eliminate you issues. Even with cold, dense air, you can still have knock issues which will pull timing and cause the PCM to run rich. It sound that the PCM is pulling timing already if you notice that large a change in performance from 60 to 85 deg.
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My last tune and dyno run show good A/F's and nice power for my mod's (over 400 hp & over 400 tq).
I'm getting the Vortex installed tomorrow- might have some input after or over the weekend after a run some.


