BBK "Cold" Air Intake?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 90
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From: Omaha NE
BBK "Cold" Air Intake = Aluminum Too Hot?
I pulled a Herman Munster and broke one of the plastic pieces where the metal straps hook to hold the stock air filter set up in place.
Good excuse to toss the whole thing and buy an aftermarket air filter set up. If I was looking for the absolute best performance, I would be thinking Vararam or Honker. However, I've got too much else going on (and am still not convinced of the sealing and water withstanding abilities of a "true" cold air intake), so I'm instead looking a) price and b) quick and easy install.
I see this BBK intake on the Corvette Guys site on sale for $269. However, I'm concerned about the fact that it uses aluminum instead of plastic for the ductwork. Although aluminum looks nicer and is probably more durable than plastic, aluminum also gets hot fast. I know I'm already sacrificing some "cool air factor" by selecting an intake that draws air from under the hood vs. from outside the vehicle, but won't having that air pass through hot aluminum (vs. the relatively cooler plastic) immediately before entering the engine only make things worse? Anybody else use this product?
Thanks.
Good excuse to toss the whole thing and buy an aftermarket air filter set up. If I was looking for the absolute best performance, I would be thinking Vararam or Honker. However, I've got too much else going on (and am still not convinced of the sealing and water withstanding abilities of a "true" cold air intake), so I'm instead looking a) price and b) quick and easy install.
I see this BBK intake on the Corvette Guys site on sale for $269. However, I'm concerned about the fact that it uses aluminum instead of plastic for the ductwork. Although aluminum looks nicer and is probably more durable than plastic, aluminum also gets hot fast. I know I'm already sacrificing some "cool air factor" by selecting an intake that draws air from under the hood vs. from outside the vehicle, but won't having that air pass through hot aluminum (vs. the relatively cooler plastic) immediately before entering the engine only make things worse? Anybody else use this product?
Thanks.
Last edited by eblue2002; Mar 16, 2010 at 03:56 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,456
Likes: 1,165
From: Dyer, IN
I pulled a Herman Munster and broke one of the plastic pieces where the metal straps hook to hold the stock air filter set up in place.
Good excuse to toss the whole thing and buy an aftermarket air filter set up. If I was looking for the absolute best performance, I would be thinking Vararam or Honker. However, I've got too much else going on (and am still not convinced of the sealing and water withstanding abilities of a "true" cold air intake), so I'm instead looking a) price and b) quick and easy install.
I see this BBK intake on the Corvette Guys site on sale for $269. However, I'm concerned about the fact that it uses aluminum instead of plastic for the ductwork. Although aluminum looks nicer and is probably more durable than plastic, aluminum also gets hot fast. I know I'm already sacrificing some "cool air factor" by selecting an intake that draws air from under the hood vs. from outside the vehicle, but won't having that air pass through hot aluminum (vs. the relatively cooler plastic) immediately before entering the engine only make things worse? Anybody else use this product?
Thanks.
Good excuse to toss the whole thing and buy an aftermarket air filter set up. If I was looking for the absolute best performance, I would be thinking Vararam or Honker. However, I've got too much else going on (and am still not convinced of the sealing and water withstanding abilities of a "true" cold air intake), so I'm instead looking a) price and b) quick and easy install.
I see this BBK intake on the Corvette Guys site on sale for $269. However, I'm concerned about the fact that it uses aluminum instead of plastic for the ductwork. Although aluminum looks nicer and is probably more durable than plastic, aluminum also gets hot fast. I know I'm already sacrificing some "cool air factor" by selecting an intake that draws air from under the hood vs. from outside the vehicle, but won't having that air pass through hot aluminum (vs. the relatively cooler plastic) immediately before entering the engine only make things worse? Anybody else use this product?
Thanks.
I think it looks cool.....so if you like...buy it. You won't notice any decrease in performance.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
I didn't know for sure whether the plastic would be cooler, that's why I'm asking. It just seemed to me that if I shut it off, popped the hood, got out and laid my hand on that aluminum (even though, as you point out, it's not bolted directly to the engine and aluminum does cool off quickly compared to steel, etc.), I'd likely burn the hell out of myself, versus the plastic, which I figured would be relatively cool in comparison.
If that's not the case, great, I want one. Nice price, nice looks, easy to install, and some performance gain. Perfect for what I'm looking for. Just thought I'd ask if anybody else had experience with one before pulling the trigger and ending up with buyer's remorse. That's what the forum's for, right?
If that's not the case, great, I want one. Nice price, nice looks, easy to install, and some performance gain. Perfect for what I'm looking for. Just thought I'd ask if anybody else had experience with one before pulling the trigger and ending up with buyer's remorse. That's what the forum's for, right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 5
From: Toronto Ontario
St. Jude Donor '08
(BTW, it will be for sale soon along with the Blackwing filter.)
Last edited by HiVoltge; Mar 16, 2010 at 08:34 PM.
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