This is true. Do not waste your money.
Blackwing Revisited
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Blackwing Revisited
I had put out a query to C5 owners a few days ago about the Blackwing Induction System. Well, I got it yesterday (Thurs), and installed it in about an hour, taking my time, and making sure to follow the instructions, and also consulting my factory service manuals. By the way, my Vette is a 2004 coupe, auto trans. What Donaldson, the Blackwing manufacturer, doesn't tell you is the adapter they include for the 2004 model year has to be cut from it's original size of 3.75 inches down to 1 3/4" inches, if you use the stock intake duct! Cutting the adapter was the hardest thing, because it's made of rubber, and tough to ensure the proper measurement. Also, Donaldson does not do a great job of telling you that the adapter will not fit unless you remove the original fitting on the Blackwing. Well, after I figured all that out, the project went well, and I'm happy to say that I noticed that the engine seems to be running much nicer, and ther throttle response is much better. can't wait to add an aftermarket Mass Airflow Sensor, and a freer-flowing exhaust!
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Congrats on the Blackwing. I sure like mine on the car.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,050
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
What Donaldson, the Blackwing manufacturer, doesn't tell you is the adapter they include for the 2004 model year has to be cut from it's original size of 3.75 inches down to 1 3/4" inches, if you use the stock intake duct![/B] Cutting the adapter was the hardest thing, because it's made of rubber, and tough to ensure the proper measurement.
Sorry for your trouble...I was told by the seller that I needed a Blackwing Cold Air Induction Bellow Kit for (2001-2004 ,part # SLP-2111/$12.95)....and there was no cutting of any kind...it fit perfect....
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Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I ran a Blackwing for a while before switching over to the VaraRam. BW is a great bang-for-buck intake and a cinch to install compared to most other aftermarket intakes. Performance difference was noticeable for me, including the change in sound. Switching over to the VaraRam was a bit of a PITA as far as installation, etc., but the performance increase was substantial.
My included +'01 coupler fit with not modifications on my '02.
Blackwing
My included +'01 coupler fit with not modifications on my '02.
Blackwing
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
The main advantage of the Blackwing and Halltech Stinger series intakes is that they can be easily swapped out with the OEM intake if smog inspection is a problem. This is why I chose the Halltech. However, the big disadvantage is that hot, engine bay air is drawn in through the filter and once the air temp reaches somewhere north of 95 degrees, the ECU starts retarding the timing to avoid predetonation. In fact, according to Jim Hall, "At 95-degrees IAT, the Blackwing will lose 1 degree of timing. At 135-degrees a full 12 degrees is pulled on the LS1 which equals 10 RWHP."
What can you do to avoid this scenario? Bring cold air to your Blackwing. There are a couple of ways to do this.
1. Try to find an Icebox kit that is made for the Blackwing or
2. Do my CAI mod. After doing this, I saw a reduction of intake air temps that exceeded 35 degrees F. After stop and go traffic on a hot Summer day, my intake temp without the mod, hit 140+. After the mod, the highest I saw during the same conditions, was 104F.
You can find the CAI mod procedure at:
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
Dave
What can you do to avoid this scenario? Bring cold air to your Blackwing. There are a couple of ways to do this.
1. Try to find an Icebox kit that is made for the Blackwing or
2. Do my CAI mod. After doing this, I saw a reduction of intake air temps that exceeded 35 degrees F. After stop and go traffic on a hot Summer day, my intake temp without the mod, hit 140+. After the mod, the highest I saw during the same conditions, was 104F.
You can find the CAI mod procedure at:
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm
Dave
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,044
Likes: 9,808
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Even on the standard C5s the air temp around the air cleaner doesn't get that high. It can be easily be monitored by checking the ambient air temp on the HVAC display. The sensor is within a couple of inches of the air cleaner.
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Bill, I used a Car Chip OBD II data acquisition unit to measure intake air temps during slow moving and stopped conditions and believe me, the dramatic rise in temp was real and prolonged. With my CAI mod, temps went from 105 to 80 in seconds, whereas the non-CAI setup never brought temps down below 115 or so, even while on the highway for 15 minutes or more. Opening up the fog light panels helps, but does nothing when the car is creeping along in traffic. Besides, some of us prefer not to have holes showing or Z06-style screens in those panels.
Dave
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I had Z06 screens in with the shrouds out when I ran the BW. Underhood temps were generally lower than with the shrouds in place. My oil temps were always well under control. When I switched to the VaraRam, I finally started using EFILive to monitor IAT and they never rose above ambient outside temps. My underhood temps, and so my oil temps rose some, although not alarmingly so, when I made the switch as I no longer had the benefits of the fresh air from the fog light slots.