Which Air Intake?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by cdibi
Trying to decide on an air intake. The Donaldson Blackwing seems to be very popular. How does it compare to the K&N FIPK?
The Blackwing was the best bang for the buck, but its title was unsurped recently when the Halltech Stinger-R hit the market. Consider what you get:
Blackwing ($230), Filter
Stinger-R ($199.00) Filter, huge airbridge and smooth throttlebody coupler.
Halltech Stinger-R package
Check Halltech's website for further details
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,028
Likes: 2,510
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Originally Posted by cdibi
Trying to decide on an air intake. The Donaldson Blackwing seems to be very popular. How does it compare to the K&N FIPK?
this one has been flowbench proven to outflow the "others"
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by Ls1Rat
Got any dyno results to prove it makes more power ? 
Sure,
Look here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=825702
I figure that if manufacturers like Calloway want to give bhp (crank) numbers, then I can say that I have gained 14.5 bhp (minus one or two for the Borla Stinger cat-backs) for an intake system cost of $199. Compare that to the price of the Calloway and I think you'll agree that the Stinger-R gives you much more for the money. Add tuning and you've got at least 25 bhp.
I do suspect that in order to generate the 17 bhp number, Calloway probably blasted a 200 MPH fan at the front of the car. I'll bet that if I did the same to my car, my bhp woulda jumped to 17 or 18 easily, since I too, have a cold air system. In other words, take what you read with a grain of salt - the K&N FIPK is advertised to increase RWHP by 17.7. It is possible, but only if the airflow conditions are real-world, whereas most dyno shops do NOT have the capability to simulate 100 mph+ air velocities.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: St. Louis MO
Originally Posted by Dave68
The Blackwing was the best bang for the buck, but its title was unsurped recently when the Halltech Stinger-R hit the market.
I had a Blackwing in my previous 2 C5s and I've got a Halltech Stinger-R now.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,028
Likes: 2,510
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Originally Posted by Ls1Rat
From my experience in porting heads, the highest flow numbers do not always produce the biggest gains in performance.
you are correct in a sense... Someone could take a rectangle, octagon, whatever, and it might outflow another ported head design however, the power often comes with the shape of the combustion chamber, the port shapes them selves, and other variables -
What I saw with the Callaway airbox, were features other "kits" did not have. It makes sense to move the mass air sensor for a truer reading right before the throttle body and also, that makes it so that restriction is not dictating the design of the air duct (the bridge over the radiator).
These design features, coupled with the smooth bellow transitioning into the engine make the (flow) numbers, plain & simple
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,028
Likes: 2,510
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Originally Posted by Dave68
I do suspect that in order to generate the 17 bhp number, Calloway probably blasted a 200 MPH fan at the front of the car. I'll bet that if I did the same to my car, my bhp woulda jumped to 17 or 18 easily, since I too, have a cold air system.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 0
I'm stuck inbetween the Vararam vs. Halltech Stinger
Vararam:
-Proven HP gain, and lower 1/4 and 0-60 times
-Colder, denser air
-Difficult to Install
-Somewhat questionable construction and fit quality
-$350
Halltech Stinger:
-Proven HP gain
-Warmer air, but still huge improvement
-Easy to install
-Nice fit quality
-$199
I'll figure out which one I want one of these days
Vararam:
-Proven HP gain, and lower 1/4 and 0-60 times
-Colder, denser air
-Difficult to Install
-Somewhat questionable construction and fit quality
-$350
Halltech Stinger:
-Proven HP gain
-Warmer air, but still huge improvement
-Easy to install
-Nice fit quality
-$199
I'll figure out which one I want one of these days
Last edited by PeteyPete; Jul 20, 2004 at 03:52 PM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Peoria AZ
I ordered the Halltech
I couldn't decide either and had a similar pros/cons list. Finally I decided I couldn't accept an inferior quality product at a higher premium and ordered the Stinger. I felt better immediately, knowing I had saved myself (or the dude I would've paid :p: ) the headache of a 3 to 4 hour install AND still having to jerry-rig it with extra clamps or silicon. I don't plan on any dyno runs or whatever because it's not that big a deal, & I'm no bracket racer. Just wanna enjoy my daily driver (LOVE the B&B bullets & GS-D3's) and not have some cobbled together looking part sticking out on cruise night or *gasp* in front of some other Vette owners! The horror! 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
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From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by *89x2*
CallAway tested all "popular" brands with the same methods - Bottom line, Callaway's set-up outflowed them.
"It features the same 25% more than stock flow numbers of our TRAP"
Let's see......1% more flow for an additional $260!!!!!!!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,028
Likes: 2,510
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Originally Posted by spotking
does the bigger air bridge rub the hood? can you get just the air bridge?
I saw all the parts & pieces used to engineer this product, really neat - just the process itself, bringing it from idea, to real part
Also, Driving the Callaway Z06 was fun in itself with the Power Groups installed
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
From: Tampa fl
For me the decision was easy. Anything that involves CUTTING A LARGE HOLE in my car is out of the question. The vararam was a bit tricky to install but once it's in and you hit the gas pedal you will forget all about the time or expense and you will be very happy with your purchase. 