Has anyone installed a Vortex Cold Air System? I am considering purchasing one, $299.00 from Mid America, on my otherwise stock, except for a Borla cat back, 1985 L98. Is it worth it? Does it add to the cars performance? Any advise will be appreciated!

 

I've heard nothing but really bad things about them cracking

 

I've had a Vortex Ram Air system with a K&N filter on my '96 for over two years. It does rub slightly (very slightly) on the underside of the hood. But it works well picking up colder air.

Just be sure if/when you mount it you have the clearance you need under the hood, so it doesn't crack. Also, check around for better prices (maybe).

 

I have one, previous owner installed it. I wound up modifying it for better fitment. I can't say anything performance-wise since I haven't driven my car with a stock intake on it.

 

junk, save your money

 

Thanks for the advise. Sounds like I should save my money!

 

I hear they do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for L98's.

In fact when I was looking at them when they first came out all the LT1 guys had them. There was a lot of dyno charts and other data to back them up. I went to an event once where Breathless Performance was there and talked to their C4 guy. He wasn't too helpful and not very friendly. He dodged all my questions about performance numbers for the L98 and the lack there of. I don't know how it is now, but a few years back there was NO data on the L98 and this vortex ramair system and the reason is, is that it doesn't do a dang thing on the L98.

This was pretty much confirmed by the lack of response when I was ready to puchase one with cash in hand directly to the guys that created the dang thing.


yeah...save your money.

From ALL the research I've done on the L98 air filter and intake (before the TB that is)... the stock design (with a cut lid) flows about the same as taking the entire thing off and just running with a bare TB.
Cut the lid yourself and you just got the same effect as the BPP "ram air" system.


I am finding more and more why the car was designed like it was. All the things we think are completely stupid were there for a reason by some engineer and well.. it just works. Other than the choked intake/exhaust, its pretty intricately designed already for high performance.

 

I threw mine in the recycle bin. Worst $250 I ever spent.