Lousy Vortex Ram-Air
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Lousy Vortex Ram-Air
Up until now, the only problem I had with it was a little warping. But... I just got back from having the car dynoed. Now, granted, it was 107* out and the last time I dynoed it was 71*, I was still dissapointed with the results. '93 LT1. RWHP only 254.6. Last Feb. it was 281. Just by luck, a guy who works on Corvettes was there and noticed that the black hard plastic part of the Vortex that connects to the accordian was collapsing in on itself under high RPMS = restriction of airflow. We removed just the filter part and I gained almost 13 HP. Guess what? The K&N with cut lid is going back on this weekend.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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A large chunk of that power difference has to do with you doing the last dyno in February, and now in a July heat wave.
I also wouldnt expect any of these cold air intakes to give power on dyno tests, they need 1/4mi results to show any benefit.
But I agree the Vortex is crap.
I also wouldnt expect any of these cold air intakes to give power on dyno tests, they need 1/4mi results to show any benefit.
But I agree the Vortex is crap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,348
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From: Belews Creek north carolina
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by vader86
A large chunk of that power difference has to do with you doing the last dyno in February, and now in a July heat wave.
I also wouldnt expect any of these cold air intakes to give power on dyno tests, they need 1/4mi results to show any benefit.
But I agree the Vortex is crap.
I also wouldnt expect any of these cold air intakes to give power on dyno tests, they need 1/4mi results to show any benefit.
But I agree the Vortex is crap.
with the first part i have one and have had no problems with it. as far as collapsing in on itself i dont know how it could do that seeing it is hard plastic. i doubt you would see a difference on the dyno with a cold air system seeing your not moving down the road and even so it would not be that much of a difference 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville Fl
yeah thre is no way i would dyno a car a second time at a higher temp than the first time i dynoed it. but yeah i agree the cortex is a peice of junk. But a cut lid with a K&N will yeaild surprising results when more mods are added
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
From: Belews Creek north carolina
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by 1996man
yeah thre is no way i would dyno a car a second time at a higher temp than the first time i dynoed it. but yeah i agree the cortex is a peice of junk. But a cut lid with a K&N will yeaild surprising results when more mods are added
i dont think your going to see much gain with a k&n versus a factory setup neither there is just not that much to gain from an airfilter other buildup mods are where to put your money i believe alot use a name to try to gain more performance
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
A cut lid isn't going to give you much if anything, same with any other air filter system.
The Vortex type is better suited for trying to realize a gain, but from our testing at the track, the Vortex(and similar products) are only useful after the 1/8th mile or over 80 mph.
The Vortex type is better suited for trying to realize a gain, but from our testing at the track, the Vortex(and similar products) are only useful after the 1/8th mile or over 80 mph.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 230
From: Northeast FL
On a dyno they don't help since they are a static item and don't actually "force" air in by a mechanical means. They require the car to be in motion and allow (supposedly) air to get into the engine with less restriction than stock set ups thereby allowing the engine to breathe easier. Although a mild engine is not going to starve for air with the stock type filter set up. Conversely, a big inch high mod engine would see some benefits. But they sure look impressive when you open the hood!
Last edited by jwt1603; Jul 29, 2005 at 08:24 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville Fl
the case i was reffering to was nathan. he has quite a few mods including cam and heads but still has a stock bottom end. i think he dynoes around 380 or so. he went to a dyno with another LT1 C4 that has very few mods or maybe even stock i dont know... but he tried dynoing each car with and without the cut open lid and K&N filter and with the mostly stock car it only gained like 2 or 3 rwhp but with nathans it gained almost 11rwhp. i could be slightly off on those numbers but ask him about it. i was a beleiver when he told ME that story
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
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From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
The only reason I had it dynoed in this weather is because next week, it's going in for a top-end package. When I dynoed it in February, the tranny was slipping and have since had it rebuilt. It obviously didn't have an effect on HP. As to the Vortex collapsing, there is a small crease in it (which I hadn't noticed) where the hood has been sitting on it, giving it a place to collapse. The shop that installed the Vortex is the same shop doing the top-end, so maybe they'll help out.
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Originally Posted by vader86
A large chunk of that power difference has to do with you doing the last dyno in February, and now in a July heat wave...
FWIW, I dynoed my stock 96 LT1 a couple of summers ago with temps in the low 90s and I got EXACTLY the same RWHP number as you (Torque was in the low 280s)...
