Okay guys, I just bought a brand spankin' new in the box Vortex for $100 bucks from a guy who never used it.

Anyway, I need help with some of the instructions:

1) Disconnect your MAT sensor located just in front of your throttle body.

What's the MAT sensor look like? What's the throttle body look like and where is it at?

2) Remove 1/4 Plastic tube that is inserted intot the air intake tube (97-98)

Doesnt apply to me as I have a Y2K.

3) Disconnect your mass air flow sensor. Take a screwdriver and loosen the clamp that supports the air intake tube to the throttle body.

Is the air intake tube the thing that looks like the back of a Cobra's head?

4) Disconnect the 3/4 air pump hose from your stock air box. The only supports now are rubber holders in which as you lift the complete assembly will separate. Take the complete assembly, airbox, mass air and intake tube and place it on the table.

I should be able to figure it out from here....

Now the big problem... I dont have a template to cut the stock airbox! Breathless said they would send me one but I dont want to wait if I dont have to. Is it really necessary?

Looking at the Vortex air box it is two pieces... a large top piece and a smaller bottom piece which is about half the size of the top.

Is the hole that I cut SQUARE to accomodate the entire opening of the top piece? If so, that should be relatively easy, I can just use the inner border of it as a guideline for the template. Not the outter border as this edge is necessary for the screw fasteners.

OR, do you cut a rectangle to accomodate just the bottom piece of the airbox?

Please gimmie some help here guys, I get off work in 3 hours and want to hook this up when I get home.

Thanks,
Mark

 

see forum member shanman14 install.
http://www.inficad.com/~ecrigg/vette/mods/

 

Thanks man, that site was very helpful... I think I can take it from here.

One last question... how do I reprogram my car's computer for the new Vortex? Or should I say, how do you reset it so that it can re-learn?

Thanks,
Mark

 

I wouldn't bother with an idle relearn on this if it is the only mod you are doing. Your car will naturally adjust within the first couple hundred miles.
Shanman has some good install photos and instructions: http://www.inficad.com/~ecrigg/vette/
It's a fairly easy do-it-yourself mod.

But here's the sequence many of us have employeed with great success:
Directly after install you are supposed to:
1) Insert key into ignition and turn to the "On" position but, DO NOT START THE ENGINE.
2) Pop open the fuse box cover and remove the two 10amp fuses from position numbers 16 & 23.
According to the manual there are 2 fuse boxes. Use the engine compartment fuse block for this procedure.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (wrong one): 16 is Air bag and 22 is Body Control Module - Ignition and 23 is Body Control Module - Ignition 2.
Engine Compartment Fuse Block (correct one): 16 is Powertrain Control Module A and 23 is Powertrain Control Module B.
Note. Your DIC will now display "check" messages for ABS, etc... Do not worry. This is normal.
3) Go back to your cockpit and turn your key to the "Off" position.
4) Return to the fuse box and re-insert both 10amp fuses for positions 16 & 23.
5) Go back to your cockpit and start your engine. Allow engine coolant temperature to reach a minimum of 176 degrees F. Allow engine to run at this minimum temperature for at least 5 minutes.
6) After a minimum of 5 minutes, at 176F, shut down engine and let rest for a minimum of 30 seconds.
7) Restart engine - check for DIC error codes (there should be none).
8) Drive car for a minimum of 30 miles at varying rpm settings and speeds. PCM will now re-learn and adjust for the new air flow and air temperature at the intake.
If error codes persist, repeat steps 1-7. Make sure fuses are properly inserted before repeating steps.
Do not void the sequence outlined above. If you do, restart sequence from scratch.
These steps combine everything I have learned from various sources for changes made to the MAF and air intake. Steps 1-4 are also necessary if you ever disconnect your battery or, lose power for any reason.
The idle relearn is a little different for the A4 vs the 6 speed. You must let the car warm up to 176', then let it idle in Drive, with air an and then off, for 5 minutes each, and Neutral, with the air on and then off for 5 minutes each. Following this sequence, turn the car off for about 30 seconds

 

Thanks for the Replies guys,

I installed the Vortex last night... I also did a search on what others had to say about it in past.

The consensus from the others seems to be that its not worth the $250 bucks.... but then again I got mine new for $100. Others have stated that they couldnt tell a difference in performance?

I can tell a big difference once you get over 3000rpms... its not huge, but it is a noticible difference in performance/acceleration. I also noticed that the exhaust note is a lot louder at WOT

Thanks again,
Mark

 

Mark, I would be interested to see who felt that it wasn't worth the 250. This mod seems to be ackw. on this board repeatedly as one of the 'best' bang for the buck mods going. This mod WILL add a LEGIT amount of additional RWHP and you WILL see a diff in your 1/4, cold air rules, btw I have no affiliation with breathless I just love the rammer! (ps. many have stated that the breathless 'power duct' is not worth the money for the small to none HP gain and I personally agree, if you get it, it should be for looks, not HP. but the vortech intake is a DIFF matter entirely, I wonder if you may have accidently confused the two, if so, it would be an easy mistake to make, good luck :cool:

 

AVETTE,

http://www.corvetteforum.cc:88/zerothread?id=56963, gs633 doesnt seem to care for them.

http://www.corvetteforum.cc:88/zerothread?id=92345, MrDave doesnt like it.

http://www.corvetteforum.cc:88/zerothread?id=128219, I may have gotten confused by this thread as they didnt seem to think buying a new "AirBridge" with the Vortex was worth it.... but the above two threads had 2 people that didnt care for it, I think "consensus" was too strong a word in my first post.

I'm happy with mine Took it out for a cruise with the wife last night, she noticed the new growl right away... "Why's your car so loud? It sounds cool now."

M.

 

As a C5 Vortex user, I'm here to testify. That thing kick *** dude! Noticeably more powerful from 3500RPM on up. I was really surprised as I already had a K&N air filter and had not noticed a tangible difference with it. But the Vortex (which also uses a K&N air filter I believe, just a different type) was quit a kick in the pants! Very fun.

I believe members and vendors have stated that the Vortex adds 22 HP and 22TQ to your car. Not sure if those are crank or rear-wheel numbers.

I've been recommending the Vortex heartily too all my corvette buddies. I paid $330 (installed) so for $100, I think you're gonna be quite pleased .

Good luck!
Justin

 

I added Vortex and B & B PRTs at the same time. Picked up 18 rwt and 13 rwhp. How much from which mod? don't know. But I do believe in the principle behind the cold air intake, and less restrictive intake. I too believe it is the best bang for the buck.

 

cold air is most definatly the first thing that should be done! :yesnod:

 

Yup, that'd be me.