I never have been happy with the install on my Vortex and I don't like the threat of hydrolock, even if it is a very small chance... my car is a daily driver, rain or snow included. So I'm going to take off the Vortex and switch it for a Blackwing. Might lose a little power, but I'll sleep better...

I've ordered the Blackwing and the new radiator shroud. How much trouble is it to swap the radiator shrouds out? Is it necessary to get the front end of the ground (ramps or lift)? Has anyone taken theirs to dealer/mechanic and had them swap out the shroud, and if so how much did it cost?

Also, how does the Blackwing benefit from the Z06 cold air mod? With air coming in through the fog light area and having an exposed filter, would it be just as likely as a Vortex to get water on the filter?

 

It's been a while since I removed my shroud but if i remember correctly you need to remove a lot of small screws in the bottom end of the shroud, to do this I would recommend you to drive your car up on a small wood block under each fron wheel to reach. When you have a small plastic lock on each side far down but you have to remove them from the top (please be careful if you have a outside temp sensor). With all screws and plastic locks removed slide the shroud up.

If I missed something I'm sure more forum members will chime in.

Good luck.

:seeya

 

Ed, hi,

I did the removal of the radiator shroud last year when I started to install MTIs famous Cold Air RamAir Intake, which is delivered COMPLETELY with a new GM-OEM radiator shroud. BTW: this is an awesome setup, in fact aerodynamically perfect/unbeatable, real powerful and very well engineered - a strong recommendation for anyone seeking for an "anti-asthmatic" tech-solution to heavily flow tons of cold air to the engine.

SEANR explained you already and in general most parts of the work This said, let me just review the process little more in detail, so you will feel eventually more comfortable. Exchange of radiator shroud is no big thing =>

- It is best advise to drive your car onto safe ramps, b/c you have to remove about a dozen small black screws (small hex) underneath the front bumper and some hardware attached to the radiator shroud
- First, start to remove VORTEX plus rest of the intake airbridge section plus coupler to the Throttle-body
- Remove the somewhat transversal upper end (black ABS-plastic => marked caution FAN), 2 plus 2 hex-bolts, 10mm, attached either side to the longitudinal frame pieces. Remark, for later re-installation how this piece covers the twin fan board and how it lies over the radiator housing. There are two rubber isolated guidances inside and some sort of rib which are forseen to hold both the radiator housing as well as the fan board firmly into position
- Locate the hood-light connector and disconnect (pax-side)
- Locate the connector of the OAT-sensor (if equipped, pax-side). Be careful when removing this connector to avoid any damage to the sensor. Sensor goes to the new r/s
- Crawl under car (again: DO NOT USE A FLOOR-JACK, get safe ramps!!), get sufficient light with you and locate about seven small hex-bolts, 7mm, remove them
- Back up to the engine compartement, at top-side of radiator-shroud you will discover two (one to either side, about in the middle of the side-lenght of r/s) very specially thread-worked plastic "bolts/screws" with kind of self-securing washers on each. With a little plier or substitute you can wiggle-off those washers and carefully rebended, you shall re-use them again
- now you can start to just slide the hole radiator-shroud panel upwards, little wiggle as required
- now start to install exchange shroud by just invertening working steps and procedures. Take also care, that the foam pieces, attached to the r/s, seat firmly on their foreseen places. If in doubt re-glue them with some special glue from hobby-shop
- Re-install your OAT-sensor and hood-light connector
- Re-install the smog pump hose to your DONALDSON. If this is eventually not forseen at this type of filter-unit, get a separate small filter to the end of the s/p hose
- YOU ARE DONE!! :cheers: :cheers: get a beer or two to my bill, wipe away overspill of perspiration:D

Hope I did not forget anything. ENJOY your new DONALDSON air system. If ever you are in doubt about this non-cold-air filter system, feel free to recheck my remarks above about MTIs setup. Moments of reflections......who ever knows.....solution for you.......

Joe.


[Modified by SwissVette_Joe, 10:16 PM 2/2/2002]

 

It seems that the only thing that causes hydrolock is if you drive through a deep puddle with a bottom breather. You would have to drive your car through a lake to get a significant amount of water around the Donaldson :cheers:

Jerry

 

just drove mine today with the Blackwing! What a difference! :cheers: :cheers:

 

You will be very happy with your Blackwing. I have no regrets with
my choice of one.

 

I think you will like the Blackwing, No worry's and the engine will run just fine. :cheers: :flag :cheers: :chevy :D

 

In an unrelated story.....You need to change your avatar! :D
<------------------- :cheers: