Air Bridge and Filter
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 2
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
Air Bridge and Filter
What after market air bridges fit well and not hit the hood without cutting stuff. The one I tried hit to the point that it distorted the hood when I closed it. I wanted to add a new intake but I don’t want the VaraRam, any suggestions
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Sunshine State, USA
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I think you will find that opinions on the intakes are wide and varied. IMHO the best non-cold air intake is the Blackwing because it has a huge filter, and it is so easy to install and I picked up 25hp with mine. I am getting ready to switch to the Vararam so I can get some cold air, as I think it is the best intake, but a pain to install. I have an aftermarket airbridge, and have seen many others, and they all seem to rub on the hoodliner because of their larger size. So if you don't want it to rub, go keep the stock airbridge and the Blackwing and you will be good to go. Just my .02 cents.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
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Originally Posted by George V
What after market air bridges fit well and not hit the hood without cutting stuff. The one I tried hit to the point that it distorted the hood when I closed it. I wanted to add a new intake but I don’t want the VaraRam, any suggestions
I have the one from West Coast Corvettes and it has a C5 Logo on it. While the hood closes properly and does not distort, you CAN see the imprint of the logo on the hood liner so I know that it is very close 
I am useing the Donaldson Blackwing based on the fact that I did not want to drill holes in the car but I DID want the extra kick it delivers 
A lot of the aftermarkert breathers require some drilling and I did not trust myself with a power tool that close to the radiator 
Good luck and keep us updated 
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 59
From: Warner Robins GA
Go with the Vararam and keep the stock airbridge. That will give the most bang for the buck. Aftermarket airbridges are just for show, the Vararam works the best but is a little tougher to install.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by NPh2005
I have not yet purchased one, but my choice is the Stinger from Halltech. Large filter and it comes with a air bridge and coupler and is same price or cheaper than a Blackwing. My 0.02 cents
See http://www.corvettec5.com/
for more info. Why pay $200 for just a filter (Blackwing) when you can get a filter (choice of Remay synthetic or K&N-style cotton), larger than stock airbridge AND smooth throttlebody coupler for $199.00?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 377
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From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
I will try the stinger for $199, this is the first I heard of lean codes. The last one I had was the trap, and when I tightened everything down the air bridge got pushed up hitting the hood. That should not happen with the stinger.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 595
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From: Plantation Florida
Do some searches, the lean code has happened on many Corvettes after the installation of the Stinger. There has never been an acknowledgment by Halltech or a recommendation or suggestion on how to fix it, or that the lean codes will not damage the engine. Without these assurances, I can't chance it. I think it is the best bang for the buck, if it worked without tuning.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Queens, New York Life begins at 183 mph....
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I have a blackwing and a carbon fiber airbridge with a smooth silicone coupler and it doesn't distort the hoodliner at all. It has a C5 logo on it but its a decal so it won't rub. I had to cut the neck of the blackwing about an inch to bring down the airbridge a bit (it still fit before cutting but was touching the hoodliner a bit). It looks really good as well.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
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From: SoCal
Originally Posted by George V
I will try the stinger for $199, this is the first I heard of lean codes. The last one I had was the trap, and when I tightened everything down the air bridge got pushed up hitting the hood. That should not happen with the stinger.
Sounds like your install needs to be checked/modified. Mine does depress the hoodliner stightly but definately does not distort the hood. I had mine installed at A&A to make sure it was done right!
If you want the STINGER I think you just need to remove the long tunnel piece.
Hope this helps
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,480
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From: Middletown DE
I thought the stock airbridge was MORE then sufficient for the 346 - even modified ones..
I thought the larger airbridges are really for the larger cube engines.
I agree with the blackwing - very nice piece and fit and finish is awesome.
I thought the larger airbridges are really for the larger cube engines.
I agree with the blackwing - very nice piece and fit and finish is awesome.
Race Director
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From: Gone
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St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by George V
I had the Halltech, but that’s the one that was distorting the hood, unless I got a bum one???
You can buy just the Halltech filter for (I think) $99, and that would be a direct comparison to the Blackwing. The extra $100 for the full Stinger setup adds the airbridge.
Having had one (and since gone back to the stock bridge), I seriously doubt there is any real benefit to a hi-flow airbridge for most of us. On a big cube 500hp engine, it may be a different story, but for a mildly modded 346, you'll never need that extra airflow capability.
Drifting
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From: Naperville, IL
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Originally Posted by mojo1
I have the Halltech,and Daves cold air mod.No codes,no surging ,no hood closing problems 
Same for me, except I did not do the cold air mod. LT Headers and dyno tune are next.
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I think the ones that hit the hood have the large C5 logo on the top. However, the stock airbridge will probably do just as well as an aftermarket one. Not much gain there from what others have reported.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by canesfins
Do some searches, the lean code has happened on many Corvettes after the installation of the Stinger. There has never been an acknowledgment by Halltech or a recommendation or suggestion on how to fix it, or that the lean codes will not damage the engine. Without these assurances, I can't chance it. I think it is the best bang for the buck, if it worked without tuning.
I've been looking at almost every Stinger post since it was introduced (when I bought mine) and I haven't seen one lean code post. I would imagine that the one or two who did have a lean code did not correctly tighten all clamps. I know of a forum member who had H/C work done recently. When I helped him do the cold air mod, I noticed that his stock airbridge was pinched at the throttle body, allowing air to leak past the seal. Even experienced vendors sometimes rush things and mess up.
My hood has no problems closing and with my Stinger-R and Borla Stingers, my output at the crank is 377 - much improved over the 350 I had with the super-restrictive OEM airbox.
So, George, take your time, do not overtighten (distort) the connections and you will thoroughly enjoy the Stinger-R.
PS: When I had my car dynoed ashort while ago, the A/F ratio was just fine.
Dave
Last edited by Dave68; Jul 16, 2004 at 12:13 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 2
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
I helped a friend install the stinger over the weekend and here is how we fixed the hood-rubbing problem. We used a heat gun on the bottom, and rolled it with a long socket extension. This made the bridge a little flatter and wider. We did this several times, then a little on top, finally fitting good without changing the airflow. We could not tell if the car ran stronger but seemed to rev quicker. This will compliment a header install, both together should work well with a tune. I have not heard of anyone having lean conditions either, I agree something must have been leaking