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Why not to get a Blackwing???

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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 01:53 AM
  #1  
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Default Why not to get a Blackwing???

OK,

I've heard great things about the Donaldon Blackwing and other air intakes. What are the drawbacks? Why wouldn't I want to install one?

Thanks,

Rick... :confused:
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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 01:59 AM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (MindPlay)

I just installed the HallTech Carbon Fiber TRIC and it uses the
Donaldson Blackwing. After the install the Blackwing is literally
about 4-5 inches off the ground, of course thats the TRIC set-up.

No issues and it's been one whole week :crazy:
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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 02:22 AM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (Purerock105)

Interesting set up with Haltech Tric setup, the Blackwing is the best, fits in stock location and is the closest thing to GM factory there is. Look at the 02 Z06, GM merely opened the air box a little more for more filter surface, it has been engineered to receive cold air from the Z06 screens..point the more filter surface the more air. :cool:
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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 12:02 PM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (Purerock105)

The halltech unit doesn't use a Blackwing, they use a smaller unit than the actual Blackwing itself. Some filter he uses or has used in the past are the donaldson brand, some aren't.

Install on the Blackwing is without cutting the shroud, simply remove the old and put on the new.

We have the BW on special this month. $215 shipped for 97-00 and $225, shipped, for the 01/02 cars.

RG


[Modified by RG in Dallas, 12:07 PM 10/10/2001]
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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 12:12 PM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (MindPlay)

Yeah, what RG said. The Blackwing is huge. Easy install. There is also a cold air conversion available that requires cutting the shroud and covering the filter. That is what I have. It's a great system. I've seen tons of filters and none better. The cold-air shroud is rather cheap in my opinion. It doesn't provide a great fit and the finish is nowhere near Halltech's. But ya gotta let that filter breath fresh air. :cheers:

Jim
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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 12:18 PM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (EvilDeed)

BlackWing works for me. There was a used one with coldair setup for sale in C5 parts. Make the guy an offer and get a BlackWIng cleaning kit in the process.
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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 01:55 PM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (MindPlay)

I think the only drawback is the price! I chose the blackwing because:

- No cutting/easy return to stock
- Execellent form and fit in the C5 - mounts on existing pins
- Accepts all lines/plumbing
- Cleanable/reusable

Good luck,

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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 01:59 PM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (MindPlay)

I keep reading that there are potential problems with water and the various cold air modifications, but nobody has ever explained this to me and I can't quite figure it out. I would greatly appreciate an explanation if anyone has it.
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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 02:05 PM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (eison)

The Blackwing alone is not a cold-air breather.. While it is more "open" than the stock filter, it still sits in the stock position. I think most people agree that this does not significantly increase your chances of water injestion.

Cutting of the radiator shroud and allowing cold air to enter the filter is yet another step.. and this is where the controversy is.
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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 02:20 PM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (eison)

I keep reading that there are potential problems with water and the various cold air modifications, but nobody has ever explained this to me and I can't quite figure it out. I would greatly appreciate an explanation if anyone has it.
As I understand the problem, torential rain is not the problem. It is standing water. The front air dam is only 3" to 3 1/2" above the ground. When you drive through standing water, especially with any speed, it will scoop water up into the area between the radiator and shroud. Because this area of the engine (intake) is operating like a vacuum cleaner, and because you have cut open the shroud which was the only thing standing between the intake and the water being scooped up, it will suck water and vapor up into the engine.
Water will not compress in the cylinder. Therefore it will displace the air/fuel mixture and increase compression. One teaspoon of water in the cylinder will cause the compression to go to 20:1. Boom. Hydrolock!
Please be careful and good luck. :cry :sad:
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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 02:31 PM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (RedHot)

Thanks for the explanation, RedHot. Any way around it with any cold air system, or do I just need to remain stock if it concerns me?
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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 10:03 PM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (eison)

Just don't use a filter that cuts a hole in the radiator shroud.
The standard Blackwing is perfect.
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Old Oct 10, 2001 | 11:01 PM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (MelloYellow)

Some I've read here seem to have fuel metering problems with many/most of the free-flowing air filters, reporting running lean. Given power output and fuel milage, the system must be pretty close to lean to begin with, under many driving conditions. Any comments? Thanks!
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Old Oct 11, 2001 | 07:59 AM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (eison)

Thanks for the explanation, RedHot. Any way around it with any cold air system, or do I just need to remain stock if it concerns me?
Now that is the same delema I am having. Havent figured it out yet myself. :(
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Old Oct 11, 2001 | 12:17 PM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (Avanti)

Some I've read here seem to have fuel metering problems with many/most of the free-flowing air filters, reporting running lean. Given power output and fuel milage, the system must be pretty close to lean to begin with, under many driving conditions. Any comments? Thanks!
I've seen these posts as well. I'm not an expert on this, but my understanding is that the 97's and 98's ran rich, thus 'accepting' the free-flowing filters better than the 99+'s.

Installing the Blackwing on my 98, I have seen a slight improvement in both power and fuel economy. I'm completely stock except for the filter.

"Your mileage may vary"


[Modified by SDVette, 8:18 AM 10/11/2001]
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Old Oct 11, 2001 | 05:17 PM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (MindPlay)

Low end seemed to suffer when I put mine on.
Would be great with a cam, but stock is still questionable in my mind.
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Old Oct 12, 2001 | 11:36 AM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (MelloYellow)

Mike I heard you met my friend Frankie at the Jewelry store next to the UPS dropoff. He said you guys talked about it all,(he has a GN and a 98 white vert).

When is your stuff going back together ?
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Old Oct 13, 2001 | 02:28 AM
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Default Re: Why not to get a Blackwing??? (MindPlay)

Why not to get a Blackwing???
Because you can get a K&N conical air filter that replaces the entire stock airbox (just like the blackwing does), for around $50. You also need a seperate small breather element that connects to the small hose going to the airbox, and it costs about $8.

I tried to search for old posts about it, but they are all gone. I got a K&N RE-0920, which is actually about an inch too long to be a perfect fit. If you are going to cut the radiator shroud so that it extends through the bottom, it will be fine, but if you leave the shroud intact, the end of the filter gets squished by about an inch.

K&N has dozens of different filters, and there is probably one that fits perfectly with the shroud intact. I think my filter is 9" long and has a 3.5" connection.
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