When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I purchased a vortex cold air system for my 98 vette from a forum member (great guy) and wanted some input from some of you guys, gals, who have them. Are they hard to install? Does it work good? I know most people like the varoom system, but I got this one used for a pretty good price and just wanted some advise from some members. Thanks
Iridelow , I put one in about a year ago . The install was not bad , maybe two hours . I noticed the performance gain right away , it pulls harder once the motor gets up to it's sweet spot in the RPM range . I barely notice an increase in sound from air rushing in , but , i did notice a slight surging (bucking?) at low RPM driving . This has not been a problem though .
Good Luck , and enjoy .
Jim
I bought a used one from the forum as well. The install wasn't too bad. Cutting the radiator shroud took a bit of time because I left room for error instead of just using the template. That was a mistake, the template would have worked just fine had I trusted it.
I didn't really notice too much of a gain but I did get a nice whistling sound though.
If you need any help while installing you can pm me.
Take your time and get the template secured well and in the right location. A dremmel makes it a very easy job... I only had an exacto knife at the time.
I've had mine since summer '03 w/o issue. I love the clear box so I can see the filter. I ripped the stupid Vortex sticker off it before I ever installed it.
Oh and w/ the Vortex, Kooks LT's w/ cats, Stingers, and tuning I made 384rwhp/381rwtq.
The hardest part is cutting the cowl. It's a bit of a PITA reaching through the gap between the hood and the fron facia to cut it. Take your time. It's worth it.
To be honest I have a dremel and tried using it, but it was such tight quarters I couldn't get it to do what I wanted. I switched up to a nice sharp box cutter and it cut smooth as silk and nice and straight....
But... having a dremel on hand is probably a good thing anyway.
Best of luck.
I had mine professionally installed. Felt it was well worth the 50 bucks in labor as opposed to me screwing something up and having to buy a new radiator shroud.
I was a little skeptical at first, but like someone else said, once you hit a sweet spot in the RPM range you notice a pretty good change in pulling...espcially around 4 gear. I think it was well worth the money, though now you have to be careful about driving it in a down pour.
Thanks for the advise everyone. I installed it today, took a couple of hours and a few choice words, but it all worked out. I took it for a spin, and yes there is a noticable difference in the upper RPM range. Pulls much harder than it did. I would bet a 10-20 hp increase and torque difference with my ti exhaust and the Vortex cold air system. I will admit that it was a little more difficult to install than I thought it would be, but it fits very nice and seems well built.