I am looking to ditch the blackwing and stock air bridge. I now have heads and cam. How is the new halltech stinger intake? Is it worth the $400 dollars or is there something else out there.

Ronnie

 

I went from a blackwing to the Halltech TRAP and am very happy with the move. I had/have LT's, G5X-3, etc.

 

If you live in a state that doesn't have visual inspections, then take a look at the following (grouped by cold air and non-cold air, but in no particular order) and my comments, if any:

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. This type of intake system is fiine for driving in occasional rain but I wouldn't make a habit of driving through deep puddles (any cold air intake) See my procedure at http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_c5_corner.htm

Halltech Stinger SSM – 2001-2004 C5 only (fairly 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'm real happy with my Halltech. Hit the link in my sig and get yourself one

Shane

 

What ever you do,, make sure it have good filtration.....

hmm,, why dont someone whip up a box for the blackwing.....I might look into this. we have losta lexan at work....

 

HI wrustywrench

make a search under ICEBOX for the Blackwing, that's certainly the answer you are looking for.

 

http://www.teamzr1.com/Merchant2/mer...gory_Code=perf

 

Hi Special K

If you don't mind, can you give us some details on your results with your "BOX" above the Blackwing (pretty similar to the Icebox,isn't it?), it seems that you have experienced a lot about "intake".

Christian

 

Excellent write up Dave68.

 

I aggree.....

 

What about trying to flow BIG CFM's? Will the vararam b2 do it? like 1100 cfm or better...

 

I think the bottom line is cold air well give your engine better performance no matter which cold air intake you choose.

When you get to which one or single vs twin air intake that can be splitting hairs. We all have out opnions.

and what are using your car for?? Drag racing? road racing / track days or just DD??

Black wings work great with the ZO6 screens and the back part of the fog light area cut away.

Keep those Oil filters clean, take them out at least once a year and clean them.

 

I have installed the Ice Box. Better cosmetics than the one I made. Even with a cutout in the shroud the Blackwing will draw some engine compt air and that causes surging. The Ice Box eliminates that. The cutout in the shroud gives me the consistency I need to win races.

 

Special K, thank you for the answer

Can we say that the combination of the Blackwing (high flow air filter) and the Ice Box (isolating from the hot air from under the hood) plus the cutout in the shroud (to use the ambient air) seems to work really well, according to your great results on your 2005 season....

Any compare with other set-up ??

Congrats for the Rookie of the year 2005 !!

Christian

 

Thanks Christian. I do not like the Vararam and we don't need to go there. I think any of the air filters that are sealed units will work well and he'll be happy. If he already has the Blackwing he can save money by adding the Ice Box.

 

Thanks, BrightRed! One advantage that non-ice box or full enclosure-based cold air systems have is that they cool off hot engine bay temps. Engine-generated heat accelerated failure of batteries, electronics and especially belts and hoses and installing a cold air box may help keep intake air temps fairly consistent, but do nothing to alleviate the blistering heat the tends to gather at the upper part of the engine bay. This high-heat condition is amplified by the installation of unwrapped headers.
This is why I prefer either opening up the fog light covers (ala Z06) or directing cold air at the filter more accurately by doing my cold air mod.

 

Dave, either that makes no sense at all or I need to get some sleep.

 

Does anyone have photo's of the Icebox or similar installed that they could post or email?

Does anyone have any experience with this air box lid for the Blackwing? Here is a link to it, Air Box Lid, Its the third item down the page?

 

Summed-up, it means I like cold air being directed at the intake filter AND into the engine bay to keep rubber and plastic-degrading temperatures at a reasonable level.

 

Heres what I did...

Should I just cut out the entire back part instead of just drilling the holes? Why did they put the shroud there in the first place if it inhibits flowing air to the engine compartment?
And yes I also put the GM OEM Z06 screens on