Hurricane or Blackwing?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by FroDaddy
I find it interesting how the forum's view changes over the years. When the MTI CAI kit was introduced (a scoop like the Big Mouth), everyone was bashing those types of intakes because of the risk of water ingestion. So most people went with a Vortex or Blackwing.
Then a couple of years later when the Vararam came out, people were bashing it for the same reasons. But once some REAL WORLD testimonials came in (fastest intake out there, driving in torrential downpours with no probs, even having pics of driving through a road with water 6" deep), the forum accepted the Vararam.
Now that the Vararam is accepted as being OK, the forum is going back to the intakes that scoop from underneath the front facia!
You guys that have those intakes that have a scoop below your front facia are absolutely crazy!! If your car is lowered you're going to scrape the hell out of that thing, let alone scooping up anything that's right off the surface of the road, AND then a HUGE risk of water injestion. It's too bad that the forum's search feature doesn't work on those old threads about this. I read at least 5 threads where people posted they hydrolocked their motors due to the scoop CAI.
Personally, I went with the Vararam since it is the best intake out there and poses very little risk of hydrolock. But hey, if you guys want to put those intakes on there then go ahead! As long as it's not on my car
Then a couple of years later when the Vararam came out, people were bashing it for the same reasons. But once some REAL WORLD testimonials came in (fastest intake out there, driving in torrential downpours with no probs, even having pics of driving through a road with water 6" deep), the forum accepted the Vararam.
Now that the Vararam is accepted as being OK, the forum is going back to the intakes that scoop from underneath the front facia!
You guys that have those intakes that have a scoop below your front facia are absolutely crazy!! If your car is lowered you're going to scrape the hell out of that thing, let alone scooping up anything that's right off the surface of the road, AND then a HUGE risk of water injestion. It's too bad that the forum's search feature doesn't work on those old threads about this. I read at least 5 threads where people posted they hydrolocked their motors due to the scoop CAI.
Personally, I went with the Vararam since it is the best intake out there and poses very little risk of hydrolock. But hey, if you guys want to put those intakes on there then go ahead! As long as it's not on my car
It also DEFLECTS water. Most water is thrown up from your tires. It can scoop in all the water it wants to, but it has to be 20" deep to reach my filter.
On the other hand the Vararam is a closed system and will draw water at 13". I've had both systems. How about you? Vararam is a poor design. Read Team ZR-1 test results. It's resrictive and doesn't filter. Just remove it and use panty hose.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by FroDaddy
You guys that have those intakes that have a scoop below your front facia are absolutely crazy!! If your car is lowered you're going to scrape the hell out of that thing, let alone scooping up anything that's right off the surface of the road, AND then a HUGE risk of water injestion. It's too bad that the forum's search feature doesn't work on those old threads about this. I read at least 5 threads where people posted they hydrolocked their motors due to the scoop CAI.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by Dave68
Apparently, you didn't do much searching at all. The intakes that caused hydrolocking were the type that allowed the filter to sit below the bottom surface of the lower radiator cover. The second generation of CAIs (Vortex Rammer-type) positioned the filter inside the engine bay. The "scoops" used rarely "scoop-up" debris or anything else, at least from what I've seen and I drive my C5 every workday. We old timers still sometimes say - "The proof is in the pudding" and daily driving, including driving through torrential downpours, along with hard data from OBD II acquisition instruments, is the pudding.
Now I have to scroll down to the Dr below. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by gmiller1
ummmk
Or is that the typical DR. scribble we all see on a prescription?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,752
Likes: 3
From: Bethlehem PA
Originally Posted by Korreck
You kids, you and sshole, drive me nuts. I can't understand a word you're saying. I am trying! What does that mean, "ummmk"?
Or is that the typical DR. scribble we all see on a prescription?
Or is that the typical DR. scribble we all see on a prescription?
In reference to hydrolock:
I recently cleaned my V-Ram filter and put it back nearly soaking wet and it did not hydrolock my motor. Nor did driving through extremely heavy rains/puddles (probably no more than 3" deep).
I think you'd have to take your baby snorkeling to worry about hydrolock, atleast with the V-Ram.
Scott
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
Originally Posted by Korreck
I've had both systems. How about you?
Don't get that tone, please. As I said before you guys can put those other intakes on you vettes if you want to, believe that you've got to be in 20" deep of water to hydrolock, or whatever you want to believe. It's really not a big deal to me what you guys do to your cars.You're obviously convinced that some form of bottom breather is the way to go. I'm not going to try to convince you otherwise since my first attempt was met with a challenging remark.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
Originally Posted by Dave68
Apparently, you didn't do much searching at all. The intakes that caused hydrolocking were the type that allowed the filter to sit below the bottom surface of the lower radiator cover. The second generation of CAIs (Vortex Rammer-type) positioned the filter inside the engine bay. The "scoops" used rarely "scoop-up" debris or anything else, at least from what I've seen and I drive my C5 every workday. We old timers still sometimes say - "The proof is in the pudding" and daily driving, including driving through torrential downpours, along with hard data from OBD II acquisition instruments, is the pudding.
Again it's too bad that we can't reference those old threads anymore, but believe me I did the research.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
From: Edmond OK.
Originally Posted by Korreck
You kids, you and sshole, drive me nuts. I can't understand a word you're saying. I am trying! What does that mean, "ummmk"?
Or is that the typical DR. scribble we all see on a prescription?
Or is that the typical DR. scribble we all see on a prescription?
Last edited by gmiller1; Jun 3, 2005 at 12:25 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by FroDaddy
Check my profile Dave68, I've been here just as long as you. I've done extensive researching on the subject for about 3 years after I joined. I'm not sure what you mean about the Vortex since you have to cut your shrowd to use it. I've read about people having hydrolock with EVERY intake that's out there, but the bottom breathers ie. MTI CAI, and others that have a scoop were the worst.
Again it's too bad that we can't reference those old threads anymore, but believe me I did the research.
Again it's too bad that we can't reference those old threads anymore, but believe me I did the research.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,766
Likes: 5
From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Originally Posted by Korreck
Maybe I'm mis-undersatnding you. A Blackwing is not a bottom breather. A Big Mouth is not a scoop, it deflects.
UMMMK............. Your CUSTOM system is now a bottom breather. 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by FroDaddy
Check my profile Dave68, I've been here just as long as you. I've done extensive researching on the subject for about 3 years after I joined. I'm not sure what you mean about the Vortex since you have to cut your shrowd to use it. I've read about people having hydrolock with EVERY intake that's out there, but the bottom breathers ie. MTI CAI, and others that have a scoop were the worst.
Again it's too bad that we can't reference those old threads anymore, but believe me I did the research.
Again it's too bad that we can't reference those old threads anymore, but believe me I did the research.
The external scoop does two things: It directs air through the sst mesh screen and it somewhat isolates the incoming air from heat that is coming from the radiator during stop & go conditions. Take away the scoop and you will have some warm air getting sucked into the air filter.
The thing we all must remember here is that Corvettes are not the best cars for fording streams of water; they were never intended to be. If you try to drive one through 12 inches of snow, the front end will be acting like a plow and you will soon be going nowhere quickly. As I mentioned before, I have driven my C5 in heavy downpours and the bottom of my Warhead filter became damp at worst. Be sensible and you should have no problems whatsoever.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by Korreck
Maybe I'm mis-undersatnding you. A Blackwing is not a bottom breather. A Big Mouth is not a scoop, it deflects.
Bottom breather is the term used for the C5’s air intake for the radiator (source: GM media archives).
This is why air filters that utilize the radiator shroud for all or part, of their air supply are commonly called bottom breathers.
To deflect is to turn aside, bend or deviate (source: dictionary.com)
A scoop is an opening, as on the body of a motor vehicle, by which a fluid is directed inward (source: dictionary.com)
The bottom of the big mouth deflects air, water, etc. but the front of the big mouth directs air, water, etc. inward to the air intake for the radiator.
In other words, your air intake system is a bottom breather with a front mounted scoop.
That's the reality of it but if you don't like it, just continue to make up one of your own
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by SFVetteman
A Blackwing is an air filter for the C5 (source: Donaldson, the company that makes it).
Bottom breather is the term used for the C5’s air intake for the radiator (source: GM media archives).
This is why air filters that utilize the radiator shroud for all or part, of their air supply are commonly called bottom breathers.
To deflect is to turn aside, bend or deviate (source: dictionary.com)
A scoop is an opening, as on the body of a motor vehicle, by which a fluid is directed inward (source: dictionary.com)
The bottom of the big mouth deflects air, water, etc. but the front of the big mouth directs air, water, etc. inward to the air intake for the radiator.
In other words, your air intake system is a bottom breather with a front mounted scoop.
That's the reality of it but if you don't like it, just continue to make up one of your own
Bottom breather is the term used for the C5’s air intake for the radiator (source: GM media archives).
This is why air filters that utilize the radiator shroud for all or part, of their air supply are commonly called bottom breathers.
To deflect is to turn aside, bend or deviate (source: dictionary.com)
A scoop is an opening, as on the body of a motor vehicle, by which a fluid is directed inward (source: dictionary.com)
The bottom of the big mouth deflects air, water, etc. but the front of the big mouth directs air, water, etc. inward to the air intake for the radiator.
In other words, your air intake system is a bottom breather with a front mounted scoop.
That's the reality of it but if you don't like it, just continue to make up one of your own
