Feedback on Blackwing intake. Please
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 24
From: Northern Chicago Burbs IL
A friend gave me his blackwing a few years ago because he bought the vararam. I noticed a mild difference. I then took a ride in my buddies vette with the vararam and noticed a difference between his car and mine. I now have the vararam and wouldn't look back. Little more time consuming to install but worth your time.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
I went from stock to a Blackwing and it made zero difference at the track,zip,nada,none.After 6 months I went to a Vararam and picked up almost 4/10's instantly! I recently added the power duct and picked up about another 8/100's,tiny gain but it looks cool!
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: West Chicago Il
I ran the Blackwing on my 02 Z and had no complaints. The car made great power and ran hard.
11.2@122 with SI007, SW LT's, stock Ti, 3.90 and drag radials.
I have ran the Blackwing on many others customer cars with no complaints either.
'mI confident that a more cool ram air design like VR or Honker will show better gains, but I always like the look and ease of install/removal for cleaning of the SLP Blackwing.
We also have them in stock for a reason
11.2@122 with SI007, SW LT's, stock Ti, 3.90 and drag radials.
I have ran the Blackwing on many others customer cars with no complaints either.
'mI confident that a more cool ram air design like VR or Honker will show better gains, but I always like the look and ease of install/removal for cleaning of the SLP Blackwing.
We also have them in stock for a reason
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 4
From: Always in my lane.
L
I have a similar setup as Dave's and I agree. The Blackwing is most effective when you have outside air coming into the engine bay. As a matter of fact , Dave's setup influenced my decision to get a Blackwing. I knew that it would be a much more effective mod if the radiator shroud is installed. And the end result looks like it could have been made at Bowling Green.
Based upon viewing dyno results of many C5s, I know that:
a) Yes, an aftermarket intake system like the Blackwing, Halltech Stinger, K&N FIPK and others provide a nice increase in RWHP (see my signature for actual numbers).
b) No one intake system is superior to the others (Dyno HP gains).
c) ANY intake system will benefit from pulling in cooler air than that in a typical engine bay.
You have a couple of options with the Blackwing or Halltech. You can open up the fog light panels and add Z06 screens. Or if you don't want to hide/darken your fog lights, do what I did:
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/Rad...op%20inst..pdf
I have reams of data from an OBD II "Car Chip" that shows a significant reduction in intake air temps. The main advantage to this mod is that not only does the intake air temps decrease (preventing as much as a 10 HP drop during slow-moving conditions) but also cools off the engine bay - something that the Vararam or Callaway doesn't do. Keeping the engine bay cool prolongs the life of electronics, belts, hoses, plastics and batteries. This is especially important if you run long tube headers, which like giant heat radiators.
So, in summation, yes the Blackwing adds HP but to retain that HP gain, you should feed it cold outside air.
a) Yes, an aftermarket intake system like the Blackwing, Halltech Stinger, K&N FIPK and others provide a nice increase in RWHP (see my signature for actual numbers).
b) No one intake system is superior to the others (Dyno HP gains).
c) ANY intake system will benefit from pulling in cooler air than that in a typical engine bay.
You have a couple of options with the Blackwing or Halltech. You can open up the fog light panels and add Z06 screens. Or if you don't want to hide/darken your fog lights, do what I did:
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/Rad...op%20inst..pdf
I have reams of data from an OBD II "Car Chip" that shows a significant reduction in intake air temps. The main advantage to this mod is that not only does the intake air temps decrease (preventing as much as a 10 HP drop during slow-moving conditions) but also cools off the engine bay - something that the Vararam or Callaway doesn't do. Keeping the engine bay cool prolongs the life of electronics, belts, hoses, plastics and batteries. This is especially important if you run long tube headers, which like giant heat radiators.
So, in summation, yes the Blackwing adds HP but to retain that HP gain, you should feed it cold outside air.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 10
From: Wake Forest NC
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 56
Likes: 1
Problem I had with the Blackwing is at WOT or just hitting it hard from a stop I would get pinging. I installed it twice to ensure I had no air leaks or whatever; no change. Research says I probably need to have the spark advanced (? I think that is what I read) but really can't affor a tune at this time. Took it off and just added a K&N filter for now.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
A mail order tune might do the trick and is quite a bit less expensive than a dyno tune.
Also remember that the colder the intake air, the less likely predetonation will occur. Bring in some cold air and watch the pinging dissappear.
Also remember that the colder the intake air, the less likely predetonation will occur. Bring in some cold air and watch the pinging dissappear.
Last edited by Dave68; Jun 17, 2011 at 10:12 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
I made at least 200 runs stock and prob more than 100 with the Blackwing before I switched to the Vararam.No buttometer involved!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 56
Likes: 1
Thanks might try the mail order tune. Cold air in Phoenix at this time of year is only a dream!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 0
From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
Everyone with the Blackwing installed - What parts am I missing or using too many of?
I had a wreck and removed the oversized air bridge (went back to a stock one) and removed the Vararam because I now have a Tigershark front fascia.
Its been years since I have seen all the parts to my stock intake.
On my 2000 I have this in series:
FILTER --->4" to 3.5" silicon reducer--->MAF--->stock air bridge--->accordion--->throttle body
Feeling certain the reducer is my issue, but this this does not fit back in the Corvette.
Thanks for any direction you can give me,
Rain
I had a wreck and removed the oversized air bridge (went back to a stock one) and removed the Vararam because I now have a Tigershark front fascia.
Its been years since I have seen all the parts to my stock intake.
On my 2000 I have this in series:
FILTER --->4" to 3.5" silicon reducer--->MAF--->stock air bridge--->accordion--->throttle body
Feeling certain the reducer is my issue, but this this does not fit back in the Corvette.
Thanks for any direction you can give me,
Rain
Last edited by RainJ; Oct 11, 2011 at 05:12 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: kennesaw georgia
Before I go and spend the cash on a Blackwing intake, Can I get some feedback from those of you out there who currently have it installed? Right now the only mods I have on my 2002 Z06 are Borla Quad tip Stingers and Smooth intake coupler and a K&N Filter in the stock filter housing.
What I would like to know is after installing the blackwing could you feel a noticible difference in throttle response or power? What about Fuel economy?
In my opinion, the smooth coupler and K&N filer allow the best flow I can get out of the stock intake, would I really notice a difference going to the blackwing?????
Thanks to all who reply
What I would like to know is after installing the blackwing could you feel a noticible difference in throttle response or power? What about Fuel economy?
In my opinion, the smooth coupler and K&N filer allow the best flow I can get out of the stock intake, would I really notice a difference going to the blackwing?????
Thanks to all who reply
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Tustin CA
Excellent quality filter, easy to install, looks much better than stock filter.
Not much in the way of HP gains.
I have Z06 front air screens for cold air.
Since you are in California, you will have to take the Blackwing off every two years for smog check, does not have CARB sticker. Save stock set up for smog check.
Only difficult part of installation is separating MAF from stock airbridge, very tight fit.
I used liquid soap to help separate.
Also, I used a straight coupler instead of the angled stock coupler for air hose attachment.
Not much in the way of HP gains.
I have Z06 front air screens for cold air.
Since you are in California, you will have to take the Blackwing off every two years for smog check, does not have CARB sticker. Save stock set up for smog check.
Only difficult part of installation is separating MAF from stock airbridge, very tight fit.
I used liquid soap to help separate.
Also, I used a straight coupler instead of the angled stock coupler for air hose attachment.
Last edited by 2004c5blackcoupe; Oct 11, 2011 at 07:49 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 0
From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,391
Likes: 2,910
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 72
Had mine on for a week. Noticed better throttle response and a little seat of the pants HP pick up. Don't ever check gas mileage, come on it's a Vette. When the needle points toward the E, I put gas in it. There's a guy selling one one one of the forums. Seemed like a good deal if you have a 2000 or older Vette.
Dave
Dave
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 0
From: Biloxi MS Theres something happenin' here, What it is ain't exactly clear.....
Does the Blackwing come with a special transition/coupler (that mine does not have) to connect the filter to the MAF?
Seems it does - I finally found a pic showing some sort of rubber insert on the filter itself.
Seems it does - I finally found a pic showing some sort of rubber insert on the filter itself.
Last edited by RainJ; Oct 12, 2011 at 12:25 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
And than, I did this to help/increase, the air flow..
Last edited by renegad44; Oct 12, 2011 at 08:00 PM.