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can anyone recommend a good aftermarket air intake system? Thought my car had one on it but turns out it is just a aftermarket filter. Also will a new airbridge and such unlock some horsepower or throttle response?
I put a Vararam VR-B2 on my car, but the factory air bridge didn't fit very well with it. I ended up just buying an after market air bridge. My personal opinion is that the after market air bridges don't necessarily free up any horsepower but they do look a lot better than the factory ones. There will definitely be controversy about if they free up power or not.
Just bought a used Cyclone complete with K&N (all in great shape) for $50 on the Parts board. I also got a set of fog light bezels for $15 (great shape Parts board as well) which I'm going to drill to get a true Forced CAI.
There are so many systems out there and just as many threads filled with people justifying their purchases.
I've only seen a few on the Performance Results board that have actually dynoed before and after an intake install. From what I read it looks like an average of 9 hp at 5600 rpm. Just my $0.02
Just bought a used Cyclone complete with K&N (all in great shape) for $50 on the Parts board. I also got a set of fog light bezels for $15 (great shape Parts board as well) which I'm going to drill to get a true Forced CAI.
There are so many systems out there and just as many threads filled with people justifying their purchases.
I've only seen a few on the Performance Results board that have actually dynoed before and after an intake install. From what I read it looks like an average of 9 hp at 5600 rpm. Just my $0.02
You've got two Posts running on the same issue on two different boards, so I guess we'll use this one. It looks like the cover you have now is a Z06 cover - hence the cut out. Google Blackwing, great pics, pricing, etc.
You can also search this board for the numerous threads on this subject.
Last edited by MagRedConv; Apr 16, 2008 at 10:32 PM.
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
I'm also running a BW, it does not have to be enclosed, but you could do a CAI (couple hundred dollars) if you wanted, or just leave it open. What do you mean "sliced the shroud?"
Originally Posted by Fasttimes73
Well one problem I have is that the prvious owner sliced the **** of the shroud! Do these black wing systems need to be sealed?
If you buy a Callaway Honker, it completely replaces the air intake and air bridge with one smooth flowing piece. It also relocates the MAF sensor close to the throttle body, like the C6's. Actually, Callaway did that before GM released the C6. It works great, is easy to maintain and produces some of the highest hp numbers. It also is a very complete kit which you will require a minimum of tools to install.
I can't say that I buy into the claimed HP increase of the after market air bridges. But I will tell you this, I have been to several schools/classes on air flow in the HVAC industry and so I've learned a thing or two about air flow and it's characteristics. Here are a couple of facts.........air flows better through a "duct" that is round over one that is square or rectangle........and air will flow better through square over rectangle, and the more "flat the rectangle the worse it is.....ie; a duct 10"X10" will flow better than 5"X20" which would flow better than a 2"X50", even though they all total 100 square inches each. Air would prefer to flow in a spiral type fashion, which would create a more laminar flow, verses a turbulent flow that is created by a wide flat type duct. Laminar flow will also decrease static pressure while turbulent air flow will increase it. A high static negative pressure only makes it harder for your engine to breath in the air that it's wanting.
So not only is this about which air bridge can flow "more" air in terms of volume but which one is the least restrictive and would create a more laminar flow. If you just take a look at the stock air bridge verses an after market one, the question is easily answered.
I too have the Vararam set up, but I also have the smooth coupling as well as the larger(taller) airbridge. Since you've spent the money on the Vararam why hinder it's abilities to do it's job by leaving a ristrictive device between it and your engine.......kind of defeats the purpose in my opinion.
How much HP would you gain? I have no clue maybe 3-10 HP at the crank (big deal huh?) but it will definitely improve the efficiency of your intake system........that I will guarantee you, and when it comes to getting air into these engines every little bit helps, not to mention any mod you do after the air bridge would not see it's full potential unless your air bridge is giving it's full potential.
I can appreciate you wanting to spend the $150 on some other "more useful" mod but I do not feel you would be wasting your money in this case..........hell I don't want to have to drop $1,500 on a set of damn headers (which I personaly think is an insane about of money for exhaust) but if I don't, then doing a cam or heads or both really won't do much for me with out them.
I hope this info helps and made sense..................just a thought
Now I personaly like the Vararam set up, but which ever you choose I would say you may want to consider a larger than stock air bridge.
This is an age old debate here on the forum..just like which headers produce the most HP. I tend to go off what more people say they have success with, and posted results to back it up. This being said, I would go with the Vararam. The Halltech Stinger is fairly good too, I've had that for a while and just recently switching to Vararam.
The only real way to benefit from any of these intakes is to have your engine re-tuned by a professional who can adjust the air/fuel intake tables that are conservative from the factory. Sure you can probably feel a slight better throttle response, but to truly gain HP, you need to re-tune. Now, in most cases, it makes no sense to just tune after putting on only and aftermarket intake but to each his own. The aftermarket intakes pay off even more if you have more mods..headers , or cam/heads etc..