Air intake options
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Calgary AB
Air intake options
One of the clip-nut flanges on my air filter lower housing is broken, so I'm looking at alternative air intake solutions to the stock set-up.
What I've seen out there is the Vortex Rammer, Forced Air Induction (using licience plate facia), and the SLP system.
I was also thinking about the option of using functioning NACA scoops in the hood.
I do not like the look of the Forced Air Induction kit.
I would like your opinion on the other three methods for increasing your intake air flow. What looks good, and works great? What other options are there, other than the ultimate in fun... blowers & superchargers?
What I've seen out there is the Vortex Rammer, Forced Air Induction (using licience plate facia), and the SLP system.
I was also thinking about the option of using functioning NACA scoops in the hood.
I do not like the look of the Forced Air Induction kit.
I would like your opinion on the other three methods for increasing your intake air flow. What looks good, and works great? What other options are there, other than the ultimate in fun... blowers & superchargers?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
I know a lot of forum members are going to disagree with me, but I have the Vortex and I really like it. It looks good and I have had no problem with warpage (knock on wood). At slower speeds, I doubt that it does much more good than a K&N with an open lid, but at higher speeds, I do believe that it makes a difference, allowing more air into the TB. Plus it make this giant sucking sound (I hope it's not the sound of over $200 being sucked out of my wallet.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
FYI, TPIS has the Air Force ram air system.
I run the SLP ram air and it does a decent job. It gave me about 5chp over the cut lid with K&N. BTW this system somes with a stock size K&N filter. It requires only cutting a small rectalgle from the front of the stock radiator shroud, through which passes the air scoop.
I run the SLP ram air and it does a decent job. It gave me about 5chp over the cut lid with K&N. BTW this system somes with a stock size K&N filter. It requires only cutting a small rectalgle from the front of the stock radiator shroud, through which passes the air scoop.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,122
Likes: 1,725
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
None of them gives the advertised gains, but if youre looking for a replacement, I'd go with the Tpis or SLP part.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
Do your own tests on air systems and you decide.
Try removing the front of the air cleaner infront of the maf.
Notice how the engine will stall or stumble.
Use the fan from the raidator when it is on and move the maf infront of the fan and car will stall.
Now move the maf away from the fan and see what happends.
Will the engine realy make more HP or will it just suck money out of your pocket?
I have an L98 and ran a 12.50 with the air cleaner removed.
The air cleaner installed stock no cut lid 11.95 run's back to back .
Yes I am using a 150 shot of nitrous.
No other changes but removing the air filter.
Slower with air cleaner removed.
ON my LT1 different storie it picks up 1/2 second with air cleaner removed.
Try removing the front of the air cleaner infront of the maf.
Notice how the engine will stall or stumble.
Use the fan from the raidator when it is on and move the maf infront of the fan and car will stall.
Now move the maf away from the fan and see what happends.
Will the engine realy make more HP or will it just suck money out of your pocket?
I have an L98 and ran a 12.50 with the air cleaner removed.
The air cleaner installed stock no cut lid 11.95 run's back to back .
Yes I am using a 150 shot of nitrous.
No other changes but removing the air filter.
Slower with air cleaner removed.
ON my LT1 different storie it picks up 1/2 second with air cleaner removed.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Calgary AB
Originally Posted by REDC4CORVETTE
Do your own tests on air systems and you decide.
Try removing the front of the air cleaner infront of the maf.
Notice how the engine will stall or stumble.
Use the fan from the raidator when it is on and move the maf infront of the fan and car will stall.
Now move the maf away from the fan and see what happends.
Will the engine realy make more HP or will it just suck money out of your pocket?
I have an L98 and ran a 12.50 with the air cleaner removed.
The air cleaner installed stock no cut lid 11.95 run's back to back.
No other changes but removing the air filter.
Slower with air cleaner removed.
Try removing the front of the air cleaner infront of the maf.
Notice how the engine will stall or stumble.
Use the fan from the raidator when it is on and move the maf infront of the fan and car will stall.
Now move the maf away from the fan and see what happends.
Will the engine realy make more HP or will it just suck money out of your pocket?
I have an L98 and ran a 12.50 with the air cleaner removed.
The air cleaner installed stock no cut lid 11.95 run's back to back.
No other changes but removing the air filter.
Slower with air cleaner removed.
The idea of these kits is to increase access to cool clean (non-turbulent) air flow. An air filter will also help in straightening the flow.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
I have the SLP unit, the claw on my 94 with the through the license plate induction, and that does make a diff.
The LT1 even if you blow into the front of the car with an air hose the RPM picks up.
But I also have the air foil.
The LT1 even if you blow into the front of the car with an air hose the RPM picks up.
But I also have the air foil.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,845
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
I went with the 'hole in the bumper' for cold air setup. Cost nothing, and I just put the front plate ( or cover ) on when I'm done.
The other option is just cut a hole in the bottom of your filter housing, a corresponding hole in the radiator duct, and sandwich a filter between the two.
The other option is just cut a hole in the bottom of your filter housing, a corresponding hole in the radiator duct, and sandwich a filter between the two.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,749
Likes: 41
Originally Posted by REDC4CORVETTE
Do your own tests on air systems and you decide.
Try removing the front of the air cleaner infront of the maf.
Notice how the engine will stall or stumble.
Use the fan from the raidator when it is on and move the maf infront of the fan and car will stall.
Now move the maf away from the fan and see what happends.
Will the engine realy make more HP or will it just suck money out of your pocket?
I have an L98 and ran a 12.50 with the air cleaner removed.
The air cleaner installed stock no cut lid 11.95 run's back to back .
Yes I am using a 150 shot of nitrous.
No other changes but removing the air filter.
Slower with air cleaner removed.
ON my LT1 different storie it picks up 1/2 second with air cleaner removed.
Try removing the front of the air cleaner infront of the maf.
Notice how the engine will stall or stumble.
Use the fan from the raidator when it is on and move the maf infront of the fan and car will stall.
Now move the maf away from the fan and see what happends.
Will the engine realy make more HP or will it just suck money out of your pocket?
I have an L98 and ran a 12.50 with the air cleaner removed.
The air cleaner installed stock no cut lid 11.95 run's back to back .
Yes I am using a 150 shot of nitrous.
No other changes but removing the air filter.
Slower with air cleaner removed.
ON my LT1 different storie it picks up 1/2 second with air cleaner removed.
anyone else remove the air cleaner at the track? is this safe. you say .50 gain? that is alot.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 27
From: Minneapolis MN
Originally Posted by MacVette86
I installed the SLP CAI on my 86 and it works great. It pulls the air from under the front bumper. Same place where the air to cool the radiator comes from.
Love my SLP, sold the TPIS intake for it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,122
Likes: 1,725
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by MacVette86
I installed the SLP CAI on my 86 and it works great. It pulls the air from under the front bumper. Same place where the air to cool the radiator comes from.
People with cooling problems should be mindful of this, a 10 degree average gain would not be unexpected.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Lemme backtrack on the props I gave to SLP. It's not great quality, hard to get a good seal on the filter as the flimsy plastic housing warps a little, but I'd say it's a good buy. As for radiator air, I was never deficient there, but the bigmouth more than makes up for it, and helps the ram air somewhat.
I didn't like the opening into the SLP, so I added a turning vane in the middle, which should bump the airflow up by about 40% (on paper at least).
I didn't like the opening into the SLP, so I added a turning vane in the middle, which should bump the airflow up by about 40% (on paper at least).
