C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

BBK "Cold" Air Intake?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 16, 2010 | 03:24 PM
  #1  
eblue2002's Avatar
eblue2002
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
Default 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.

Last edited by eblue2002; Mar 16, 2010 at 03:56 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2010 | 04:29 PM
  #2  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,350
Likes: 1,124
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by eblue2002
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.
What makes you think, that once the engine is at operating temp(steady state) that the plastic will be cooler than the aluminum? It's not bolted directly to the engine block, so you don't have conduction. And yes, while aluminum will absorb heat faster than plastic, it will also dissipate faster than plastic (better thermal conductivity).

I think it looks cool.....so if you like...buy it. You won't notice any decrease in performance.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2010 | 04:42 PM
  #3  
eblue2002's Avatar
eblue2002
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
Default

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?
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2010 | 06:50 PM
  #4  
ICULUKN-C5's Avatar
ICULUKN-C5
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,064
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
Default

I have the BBK.. it works well... For bling I had it polished.. .Looks great.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2010 | 08:26 PM
  #5  
HiVoltge's Avatar
HiVoltge
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 5
From: Toronto Ontario
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by ICULUKN-C5
I have the BBK.. it works well... For bling I had it polished.. .Looks great.
I also had the polished BBK piece..It never seemed to get hot and looked great... (BTW, it will be for sale soon along with the Blackwing filter.)


Last edited by HiVoltge; Mar 16, 2010 at 08:34 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 12:02 AM
  #6  
76 VETTE's Avatar
76 VETTE
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 0
From: upstate N.Y.
Default

Looks real nice!
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2010 | 08:08 AM
  #7  
eblue2002's Avatar
eblue2002
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
Default

Thanks everybody. HiVoltge - I'll PM you regarding possible sale of your setup.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2014 | 04:04 AM
  #8  
KB1960's Avatar
KB1960
1st Gear
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default Did you have any trouble with the air intake pushing up the hood

[QUOTE=ICULUKN-C5;1573442891]I have the BBK.. it works well... For bling I had it polished.. .Looks great.[/QUOTE
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To BBK "Cold" Air Intake?

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:08 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE