Enough Air Intake
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 82
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Enough Air Intake
I keep reading that the C5 OEM air box is restrictive in getting air into the engine. Even though I have a K&N OEM style filter, I think going to a different set up would be better. I have seen many styles that cost anywhere from a little to a lot. I don't want to break the bank however. I see on eBay where you can "buy it now" air filter that have two cone type filters going into a "Y" pipe and then into a common, single pipe toward the engine. I have seen these advertised for as low as 20 bucks and they actually look pretty decent. And then I have seen the Donaldson Blackwing go for $200+. So what's the advantage. Do you pay more for name and looks. It would seem that the dual-cone type would make a big difference in sucking up air over the OEM box. I plan on installing a hood seal to get more cool air in the intake air area. Sure could use some thoughts here. Also, there is a throttle body bypass tube kit available from 'vette suppliers that claim re-routing hot coolant past the throttle body will increase performace. Any thoughts on these two items? Thanks friends. 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
I dwelled on this for a while, First the Vararam, Looked at the duel cone
type. Finally ordered the Halltech Stinger, You can find these for
about the same as a blackwing.
Halltech had advantages over all for me.
Air bridge included with smooth coupler w/ straighter design.
Some say stock support bridge supports 450hp
The halltech bridge Is bigger, Looks way better, and will outflow and support
more hp than the Stock bridge,
Filter has more area than any of them, Good sign on a air intake.
Easy fast perfect fit for me.
Performance gain is very good.Pulls quicker and stronger A total step above the Zip tie mod/
an K&N. Sponsers here see 18hp or so
at the wheels. Let the car ajust. Using all rpm ranges in all gears.
Took mine 3 nights of cruising for a hour or so.
Going to try to redyno my car. Have a base dyno of
357.5 on crap weather day.
My guess is 15rwhp 0ver base, more if you run a paper filter with the stock airbox.
type. Finally ordered the Halltech Stinger, You can find these for
about the same as a blackwing.
Halltech had advantages over all for me.
Air bridge included with smooth coupler w/ straighter design.
Some say stock support bridge supports 450hp
The halltech bridge Is bigger, Looks way better, and will outflow and support
more hp than the Stock bridge,
Filter has more area than any of them, Good sign on a air intake.
Easy fast perfect fit for me.
Performance gain is very good.Pulls quicker and stronger A total step above the Zip tie mod/
an K&N. Sponsers here see 18hp or so
at the wheels. Let the car ajust. Using all rpm ranges in all gears.
Took mine 3 nights of cruising for a hour or so.
Going to try to redyno my car. Have a base dyno of
357.5 on crap weather day.
My guess is 15rwhp 0ver base, more if you run a paper filter with the stock airbox.
Last edited by 3 Z06ZR1; Aug 29, 2005 at 12:49 PM.
Vette Dan
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
Just added a Blackwing to my 97. What a difference. Once you get that stock box off and look at it you think what the H was GM thinking for a air intake like this on a high peformance car .
I too now have a spare K& N filter .
Danny
I too now have a spare K& N filter .
Danny
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
When you replace the stock intake you really are changing two characteristics of the air intake system. The idle system is changed and the cruising/acceleration system is changed. At Idle, An Intake with cooler outside air is going to have a more dense mixture and can cause rich/lean conditions at idle, often the PCM will compensate for this condition over time (40 start/10 min run sessions). Tuning will also remove this problem. On some corvettes this never happens and some it does.
Cruising/accelerating changes that occur are the real benefit of the air intakes. Those systems that just replace the air filter will have a larger opening for the air to enter and most of it is at ambient temps the faster you go. Quite often these systems have issues with rich/lean deceleration surging. With the systems that use cold air intake (cut shroud or fog light area) The benefits of the colder air is almost immediate and results in a denser air mixture into the engine. This is an oversimplification of changing air intakes from the stock system. Hope this helps
Cruising/accelerating changes that occur are the real benefit of the air intakes. Those systems that just replace the air filter will have a larger opening for the air to enter and most of it is at ambient temps the faster you go. Quite often these systems have issues with rich/lean deceleration surging. With the systems that use cold air intake (cut shroud or fog light area) The benefits of the colder air is almost immediate and results in a denser air mixture into the engine. This is an oversimplification of changing air intakes from the stock system. Hope this helps
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Originally Posted by Gordy M
When you replace the stock intake you really are changing two characteristics of the air intake system. The idle system is changed and the cruising/acceleration system is changed. At Idle, An Intake with cooler outside air is going to have a more dense mixture and can cause rich/lean conditions at idle, often the PCM will compensate for this condition over time (40 start/10 min run sessions). Tuning will also remove this problem. On some corvettes this never happens and some it does.
Cruising/accelerating changes that occur are the real benefit of the air intakes. Those systems that just replace the air filter will have a larger opening for the air to enter and most of it is at ambient temps the faster you go. Quite often these systems have issues with rich/lean deceleration surging. With the systems that use cold air intake (cut shroud or fog light area) The benefits of the colder air is almost immediate and results in a denser air mixture into the engine. This is an oversimplification of changing air intakes from the stock system. Hope this helps
Cruising/accelerating changes that occur are the real benefit of the air intakes. Those systems that just replace the air filter will have a larger opening for the air to enter and most of it is at ambient temps the faster you go. Quite often these systems have issues with rich/lean deceleration surging. With the systems that use cold air intake (cut shroud or fog light area) The benefits of the colder air is almost immediate and results in a denser air mixture into the engine. This is an oversimplification of changing air intakes from the stock system. Hope this helps
Gordy; nice post. A lot if good info there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 0
From: Paducah Ky
I'm very pleased with the Halltech Stinger. I put it on after the Ghl bullets and could hear the difference in the exhaust on the first startup. Much throatier sound. I don't know about hp because didn't do a before and after dyno. I also cut out my fog light are when I put in the Z06 screens.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Originally Posted by MY1STPEWTER
I'm very pleased with the Halltech Stinger. I put it on after the Ghl bullets and could hear the difference in the exhaust on the first startup. Much throatier sound. I don't know about hp because didn't do a before and after dyno. I also cut out my fog light are when I put in the Z06 screens.
the bottom of the intake
Mine was so I think they all do. I was able to put (2) inch by inch
spacers,or shims on each end of the filter to raise it away an inch from the schroud.Give your intake 360 air coming from around and from the underside. Loosen the clamps when you do,then retighten when done.Seemed really to help it.
try it
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