[Z06] Open Filters, ?Water damage
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 25
From: Syracuse NY
Open Filters, ?Water damage
Hello,
I have done a search but didn't find exactly what I wanted
I am interested in putting an open air filter on my 2002 Z06. It is my daily driver. Has anyone had any problems with rain, water, ect. I have heard rumors in other cars of open filters destroying engines by allowing water in.
Which open filter would you recommend?
Thanks
:flag
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,101
Likes: 44
From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Open Filters, ?Water damage (magneto10)
Your safest "open filter" would probably be a Blackwing, or the zip-tie modded stock airbox, because they remain in the OEM configured location. You will still need to put a front hood seal on your car.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Re: Open Filters, ?Water damage (magneto10)
I have driven my Vararam system through tropical storms and had zero problems. If you live in an area where you might hit deep (over 7") standing water at speed sufficient to throw the water up 4 feet of plumbing go with a top breather and a hood seal.
Les :cheers:
Les :cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton FL.
Re: Open Filters, ?Water damage (magneto10)
I installed the Granatelli twin cone intake. I live in Boca (so. Fl.) I have driven in torrential rain storms and never had a problem. nothing got wet. Also, I do not have the front hood seal ( After market) rubber. :flag
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,563
Likes: 0
From: All Liberals must hang
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Open Filters, ?Water damage (DanteBoca)
I installed the Granatelli twin cone intake. I live in Boca (so. Fl.) I have driven in torrential rain storms and never had a problem. nothing got wet. Also, I do not have the front hood seal ( After market) rubber. :flag
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lewis WA
Re: Open Filters, ?Water damage (magneto10)
I also have a Vararam and have never had a problem. I think you'ld have to intentionally turn the car into a submarine to hydostatically lock the engine up this way. :D
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Jax Fl
Re: Open Filters, ?Water damage (magneto10)
A much cheaper option would be a powerstack ($43) or big mouth ($59) from Intense Performance. These will attatch directly to the MAF and incorporate a velocity stack to help ensure proper airflow through the MAF. You can easily find their site by using a search or PM me for a link. As for water damage...it's a myth. I've driven open filter Zo6's through rain storms that were so heavy that you could not drive faster than 20 mph without losing sight of the road. I've done this with the Halltech, Vararam, zip-tie, and combinations of the 3 without so much as a hiccup. If water ingestion was a problem for piston engines like some of the internet hype would lead you to believe...small airplanes would be unable to fly through clouds. As someone said above, you would have to hit a very deep puddle and submerge the nose at speed to have a problem.
[Modified by VettTheRipper, 11:33 AM 10/16/2003]
[Modified by VettTheRipper, 11:33 AM 10/16/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 80
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
Re: Open Filters, ?Water damage (magneto10)
I have driven my Vararam system through tropical storms and had zero problems. If you live in an area where you might hit deep (over 7") standing water at speed sufficient to throw the water up 4 feet of plumbing go with a top breather and a hood seal.
Les :cheers:
Les :cheers:
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 645
Likes: 1
From: Hillsdale NJ
Re: Open Filters, ?Water damage (magneto10)
Magneto 10
Do it at your own risk. I know of 2 other Vette's that suffered hydrolock in addition to the one indicated with the link.
All you need is the right set of circumstances and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
You may also never experience a problem but there is some risk involved.
:cheers:
Do it at your own risk. I know of 2 other Vette's that suffered hydrolock in addition to the one indicated with the link.
All you need is the right set of circumstances and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
You may also never experience a problem but there is some risk involved.
:cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Re: Open Filters, ?Water damage (racer44)
Racer,
As you know you can hydrolock a stock airbox if you hit deep water hard enough and don't shut the motor off. The guy in this thread said "wrong place, wrong time" and his auto insurance covered the loss, so this doesn't appear to be an issue with a road puddle.
That said you are right, you can hydrolock with a Vararam, as you can with a TRAP, TRIC and any of the top breathers too. As I said even with the stock airbox it has been known to happen.
Les :cheers:
As you know you can hydrolock a stock airbox if you hit deep water hard enough and don't shut the motor off. The guy in this thread said "wrong place, wrong time" and his auto insurance covered the loss, so this doesn't appear to be an issue with a road puddle.
That said you are right, you can hydrolock with a Vararam, as you can with a TRAP, TRIC and any of the top breathers too. As I said even with the stock airbox it has been known to happen.
Les :cheers:
I have driven my Vararam system through tropical storms and had zero problems. If you live in an area where you might hit deep (over 7") standing water at speed sufficient to throw the water up 4 feet of plumbing go with a top breather and a hood seal.
Les :cheers:
Like this guy? Even the Vararam can hydrolock, so be careful. :cheers: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=671634
Les :cheers:
Like this guy? Even the Vararam can hydrolock, so be careful. :cheers: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=671634
Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 645
Likes: 1
From: Hillsdale NJ
Re: Open Filters, ?Water damage (ZO6Les)
[QUOTE]Racer,
As I said even with the stock airbox it has been known to happen.
Les you are correct but it is more likely to happen with a non-stock unit. None of the reported incidents have involved a stock airbox. All have been aftermarket add-ons.
:cheers: :
As I said even with the stock airbox it has been known to happen.
Les you are correct but it is more likely to happen with a non-stock unit. None of the reported incidents have involved a stock airbox. All have been aftermarket add-ons.
:cheers: :
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,563
Likes: 0
From: All Liberals must hang
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Open Filters, ?Water damage (barondw)
We used open air filters while Jet Ski Racing. Keep in mind when these things are properly cleaned and lubricated, they actually repel water.
Also keep in mind no filter will work if the intake is submerged.
Also keep in mind no filter will work if the intake is submerged.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 434
Likes: 1
From: Clermont FL
Re: Open Filters, ?Water damage (dubya)
I have a Halltech Sidewinder (Single Oval). So far, I put 15,000 miles on it, in Florida with daily t storms as was mentioned above. Never had a problem although the spray from cars in front does sometimes dampen the filter. No evidence of any contamination past the filter or up the air bridge.
It is important to keep the filter clean and insure it is in proper place. The amount of sand and grit on the outside is a lot more than the stock filter.
It is important to keep the filter clean and insure it is in proper place. The amount of sand and grit on the outside is a lot more than the stock filter.
