Its interesting...I'm trying to make a decision on a new air induction system and CF has an incredible amount of great info this topic, but the problem is that everyone seems to LOVE the individual product they have chosen. Normally that's a good thing but it makes it more difficult for an indecisive newbie like me to make the best choice

Does anyone know if there's ever been a head-to-head comparison done between the most poular products like the Blackwing, Halltech Stinger, Vortex Ram, Vararam 2B, etc? I'm just looking for the best bang for the buck.

Thanks in advance!

 

I don't know if there has ever been a comparison, but if yours is a daily driver and you drive in the rain, you might consider staying away grom the Vortex Ramair. This is a bottom breather and I have heard on several cases of hydrolock this year (water getting sucked into the engine).

I have the Vortex and love it, but if I'm caught in the rain I'm very careful about driving thru puddles.

 

I will give you my 2 cents. Here it is...........The HALLTECH STINGER is AWESOME!! I love the fact that you get the air-bridge & filter with it. All I can say is that it woke up my car which was bone stock. Not only is it faster, but the car sounds amazing. I have also seen an increase in miles per gallon. I purchased it thru Nate @ Corvette garage thru a group purchase. The only regret I have is that I waited 5 years to buy it!!

 

Vararam: Brings cold air in through the fog light panel area to a panel-type filter. Owners have had good luck with system on the dragstrip, but plan on spending hours to install and a bit more to get everything lined up well. Downside: Eliminates engine bay-cooling air that would've come in from the fog light panels (Z06 or coupe/vert with opened-up panels), so the engine bay may end up being toastier, especially if you add headers later. $350-$400

Vortech Rammer: Brings cold air up from in front of the radiator and into an enclosed box. Its filter is quite a bit smaller than the Halltech Warhead or Blackwing unit. $250

Callaway Honker intake system: This one relocates the MAF so that it is just in front of the throttlebody. It directs cold air from underneath and costs about $500. I believe this unit is 50 states legal (smogwise).

K&N FIPK: This is more of a semi-cold air system, as the cold air intake opening is more of a slit. Its filter endcaps are carbon fiber. However, it is configured similarly to the Halltech Stinger-R and is 50-states legal. $350

Warm air systems: (Easy installation)

Halltech Stinger-R: Not only contains the massive Warhead filter, but also includes a larger-than-stock airbridge and smooth throttlebody coupler. For $239.00 or less, this system represents one of the best bangs for the buck. Fortunately, for about $40, you can add cold air induction. See my procedure at http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm

Halltech Stinger SSM – 2001-2004 C5 only (new!): This intake system features an even larger filter than that of the Stinger-R, TRAP, and Blackwing. $400

Blackwing: Includes just a large filter, but an excellent one at that. Its cost is close to that of the Stinger.

Volant Twin Cone: This system gives you more open filter surface area than any stock box does and is well suited to an engine bay that gets cold air in from the fog light panels, as the filters are more or less in the air flow path. $265

2002+ Z06 airbox cover: A larger opening allows more air to be drawn in through the filter. Expect up to a 5 RWHP gain from this simple swap. $50

Zip-tie: An easy and inexpensive mod (eliminates the OEM box’s upper lid), but its sealing ability is questionable at best.

How good are they? My experience has shown that most will bump up RWHP by at least 10. The advantage of having cold air is that power will not be "dialed down" under normally hot underhood (and intake air) conditions. You could easily lose 10 HP with a warm air system after engine bay temps rise during slow-moving conditions. Cold air prevents this from happening.

 

I have the Halltech Stinger and it showed a definite improvement at the track. All-in-All, there are many good options and unless you are going to the track all the time, the couple of extra HP one may have over the other isn't going to matter. I picked the Halltech because you get more in the package than most of the others.

Chris

 

Awesome guys, thank you very much. And a special thanks to Dave for the great overview!

I've ordered the Halltech from Nate at Corvette Garage, it should be here early next week. Can't wait!

 

Great choice, swinter! The sequence of assembly is critical when installing the Warhead filter into the engine bay. If you haven't already, check out my procedure at:

http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm

It applies to 2001-2004 C5s, so if you need a few tips on getting the small hose into the airbridge, I saved some tips submitted by another forum member and can e-mail them to you.

 

I have the Halltech Stinger and used the above to help me install it, as I am not mechanically inclined at all. Was a great help.

 

Fantastic, thanks so much Dave. My C5 is a 2000 but I doubt the install will be much different (if any) than your step-by-step guide. I plan on installing a short shifter later so thanks in advance for those instructions also

- Shawn

 

I couldn't have done it without your instructions. Hats off to you dave for helping us all out. We appreciate it.

 

Can we narrow the competition down to the Halltech Stinger vs the blackwing? Pros/cons?

 

You can probably do a search on this forum and review everyone's thoughts. Trust me there are plenty. Bottom line, Halltech Stinger is the most bang for the buck and also looks great. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!!

 

Blackwing is as good as it gets. An excellent filter media and large surface area. These are the qualities that make a filter better than stock. Ram air is marketing hype. You need to reach 100mph before there is any significant increase (0.2psi), when anyone says seat of the pants improvement, hand him the toilet paper.

I've run manometers and thermal transducers and MAF logs to collect empirical data to come to these conclusions, you have to ask yourself, do you want a good story or a good filter? This forum is full of good stories, or **** now I've done it.

 

Thanks for the compliments, everyone! If it weren't for competition, we'd all be paying $500 for intake filter systems.

Last year, I attended a local dyno day. Although I can't tell you what the other cars' "before-mods" numbers were, here're the end-results:

Year/Model/Mods/RWHP/RWTQ

2000/Vert/Vararam,Corsa Pace, X-pipe/326.3/329.5

2002/Coupe/Blackwing, Borla Stingers/328.1/340.5

2001/Coupe/Halltech Stinger-R, Borla Stingers/328.6/352.2

2002/Z06/Bone stock/………………………..361.7/347.2

 

I think I am sold on the Halltech...now...what is a "good" price?

 

ttt

 

I hear A&A has them for a good price. Corvette Garage's price is consistently competitive as well.

 

I think the Halltech average price is 240. That is the standard that everyone seems to be selling them for. I know I got mine from Corvette Garage for that price.