Blackwing
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: Ft. Lauderdale FL
Blackwing
After purchasing my 2003 Z06, I was pleased to find it has a Donaldson (now SLP) Blackwing air filter. I plan to leave it on mainly b/c I like it and besides the fact I don't have the stock filter. However, I don't now squat about it 
I was hoping others who have the Blackwing installed might give me some tips or general comments about it.
I was looking at getting this...
and this...
Just looking for some healthy discussion. Thanks in advance!
I was hoping others who have the Blackwing installed might give me some tips or general comments about it.
I was looking at getting this...
and this...
Just looking for some healthy discussion. Thanks in advance!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 43
From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
My .02: it is an excellent air filter -good construction, fit, and top quality filtering media.
Since you have a Z06 which has the front open screens, getting the Vinci cold-air cowl (at least I think that's what it is) and cutting your radiator shroud to install it, isn't really necessary. My one exception to that might be if you are drag racing; otherwise, once you are underway, you should be getting plenty of ambient temperature air to the filter.
Finally, there are other products on the market which you could substitute for the Donaldson kit for a few less bucks, but you'll have to decide whether it's worth it or not. I think the kit is only $15-20 bucks. I personally don't have a problem using a different cleaner (i.e. Simple Green), but I'm more uncomfortable about the thought of using the wrong type of oil.
Hope this helps.
Since you have a Z06 which has the front open screens, getting the Vinci cold-air cowl (at least I think that's what it is) and cutting your radiator shroud to install it, isn't really necessary. My one exception to that might be if you are drag racing; otherwise, once you are underway, you should be getting plenty of ambient temperature air to the filter.
Finally, there are other products on the market which you could substitute for the Donaldson kit for a few less bucks, but you'll have to decide whether it's worth it or not. I think the kit is only $15-20 bucks. I personally don't have a problem using a different cleaner (i.e. Simple Green), but I'm more uncomfortable about the thought of using the wrong type of oil.
Hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,222
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
I'd skip the cover/shroud thing. I've read a few post were guys had issues with surging after installing similar items and you're not going to get much if any extra power from it.
As far as oil/ cleaning goes. You can probably use other cleaners, but what's the point. the Blackwing cleaning kit is only $15-$20 and will last a long time. I ended up throwing mine away when I left Germany because I couldn't ship it back to the states, but it was ~3/4 full and I had used it 3 times. I normally clean the filter once a year in the spring. You can probably wait longer, but I always figured it was a good idea to start out the summer with a clean filter.
As far as oil/ cleaning goes. You can probably use other cleaners, but what's the point. the Blackwing cleaning kit is only $15-$20 and will last a long time. I ended up throwing mine away when I left Germany because I couldn't ship it back to the states, but it was ~3/4 full and I had used it 3 times. I normally clean the filter once a year in the spring. You can probably wait longer, but I always figured it was a good idea to start out the summer with a clean filter.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,781
Likes: 24,683
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I've had my Blackwing for about 5.5 years and really like it. It was easy to install, does a good job filtering out stuff, and looks good under the hood.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 693
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert AZ
That's the only good thing going for it, IMHO. You won't feel any performance gain, and I put my stock filter back on because my car started pinging with the Blackwing on. It seems like a good filter, but it wasn't for me (maybe I just need a tune)?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 619
Likes: 2
From: Destin FL
Bought my 02 coupe used - Blackwing already on it. I've seen MANY, MANY people post who've installed it and claimed they could feel the performance gain seat of the pants (SLP claims up to 18 hp, most dyno tunes I've heard of indicate 12-15 is more likely - that's still ALOT IMHO just for a filter change). A few, like the previous poster, had pinging or surging problems, but the vast majority of people, like me, have no trouble whatsoever. The pop-up that tells you the filter needs to be cleaned/oiled has never popped up - this filter passes so much air it would go for a very long time before a significant pressure drop would result. I agree that you probably do not need the shroud. The cost of the Blackwing cleaning kit is very reasonable and I recommend sticking with the product they recommend and that was designed just for it. The filter media is not typical and I'd personally be concerned about interactions between some other brand and the Blackwing media. Just my 0.02.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
I had the Blackwing on my 02 C5 and loved it. No problem with surging or pinging. I don't think it actually adds any noticeable HP but I think throttle response improved dramatically. I'll be looking for something similar for my C6 soon.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land Texas
I installed my Blackwing last year with the shroud and made the cut out on the radiator shroud. The performance is amazing. I now have a true ram air effect at high speeds. It's more noticable then the ram air on my Trans Am WS6. The shroud is available separately for about $70.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I noticed a nice throttle response gain on it too. I also had the radiator shroud cut out underneath it for ram air. I cut the fog light section out and with the shroud cut, there was a lot of air slamming into the intake. I don't see the point in adding the shroud/cover over it, seems to me it would be blocking off alot of the filter face.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis MO
I've thought about cutting the radiator shroud and putting on a scoop. But I've read from other members that the engine bay gets dirty fast. That's also why I have a brand new set of ZO6 fog light housings sitting for the past year. 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,044
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I cut my shroud out 4.5" x 15" in an elongated oval shape beneath the filter. The cover does not block the filter element as it sits above the filter with space between. Air comes in from beneath the shroud into the enclosure of the cover and has no place to go but into the filter element. Air circulates around inside the cover, not just into the bottom of the filter.
From the engine compartment the BLACKWING with the cover installed looks almost oem (see my website images). There's no place for water to enter from the top and doubtful that much could enter from below unless you're in water that deep. You can use the BLACKWING with or without the cover. You can use the BLACKWING with or without an after market air bridge.
That said, I have a like new BLACKWING filter with an SLP "ice box" cover for sale if anyone's interested. (I've decided to de-mod in anticipation of another acquisition in the near future).
From the engine compartment the BLACKWING with the cover installed looks almost oem (see my website images). There's no place for water to enter from the top and doubtful that much could enter from below unless you're in water that deep. You can use the BLACKWING with or without the cover. You can use the BLACKWING with or without an after market air bridge.
That said, I have a like new BLACKWING filter with an SLP "ice box" cover for sale if anyone's interested. (I've decided to de-mod in anticipation of another acquisition in the near future).
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I think they're primarily for looks, but they do eliminate the oem pinch clamp on the air bridge end which tends to become loose and possibly lead to an air leak. They allow the use of T-bolt clamps which don't need to be gorilla'ed tight to form a good seal.
