CAI Intake Comparisons please. Is there a difference?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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St. Jude Donor '17
CAI Intake Comparisons please. Is there a difference?
Well knowing I can not use factory hp claims to base my judgement, I either have to go off of looks, a guess, or what you guys have experienced.
What has shown the best gains? Do they all come with a larger air bridge?
Is the donaldson blackwing better than say a vortex rammer?
Does that scoop under the car really do a better job of supply "air" to the filter and is the temperture really going to be any different around the filter with such a setup?
I do not really care for the tornado graphics on the vortex box, kinda cheezy looking to me. Im considering the donaldson setup but any and all opinions and install and performance comments are welcome.
Thanks for your time.
What has shown the best gains? Do they all come with a larger air bridge?
Is the donaldson blackwing better than say a vortex rammer?
Does that scoop under the car really do a better job of supply "air" to the filter and is the temperture really going to be any different around the filter with such a setup?
I do not really care for the tornado graphics on the vortex box, kinda cheezy looking to me. Im considering the donaldson setup but any and all opinions and install and performance comments are welcome.
Thanks for your time.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,299
Likes: 33
From: Houston Texas
Re: CAI Intake Comparisons please. Is there a difference? (knowledgefreak)
There is definitely a performance difference. Here is my opinion:
Donaldson Blackwing: Excellent underhood filter. Easy to install, looks OEM, and provides nice gains.
Vortex Rammer and other Cold Air Induction kits: More worked required to install, must cut shroud. Performance gains slightly better due to cold air and ram air effect. Must be more careful around water.
I have used both the Donaldson Blackwing and Halltech Tric on my '99 coupe and have now installed a Vortex Rammer on my Z06. By far IMHO, the air intake is one of the best bang for the buck mods.
Good luck.
[Modified by rschiltz, 10:04 PM 4/13/2002]
Donaldson Blackwing: Excellent underhood filter. Easy to install, looks OEM, and provides nice gains.
Vortex Rammer and other Cold Air Induction kits: More worked required to install, must cut shroud. Performance gains slightly better due to cold air and ram air effect. Must be more careful around water.
I have used both the Donaldson Blackwing and Halltech Tric on my '99 coupe and have now installed a Vortex Rammer on my Z06. By far IMHO, the air intake is one of the best bang for the buck mods.
Good luck.
[Modified by rschiltz, 10:04 PM 4/13/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,773
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From: Norman Oklahoma
Re: CAI Intake Comparisons please. Is there a difference? (knowledgefreak)
The performance differances between different brands and bottom breathers and under hood filters isn't much. I went with the Donaldson because I didn't want to cut the shroud, I didn't want to have to worry about rain or standing water, and IMHO the small gain in hp isn't worth the added risk. You will be happy with any of them don't buy one because it claims more hp than the others buy based on cost, looks, and because you want the added performance of a bottom breather or the added saftey and performance of a under hood filter.
Jerry
Jerry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Re: CAI Intake Comparisons please. Is there a difference? (knowledgefreak)
Underhood highflow filters will get you about 80% of an increase over stock with 97-00 C5's more like 70% with 01+.
The other 20-30% comes with exposing the filter to cold air.
Even the stock airbox will injest water if your in high standing water, and thats an insurance issue, not a warranty issue.
I like the vortex because it sits up high like the stock unit.
To me all these airboxes are overpriced. Relative to the rest however, the vortex is the best value for maximum gain.
Btw, you can remove the tornado sticker if you want :)
The other 20-30% comes with exposing the filter to cold air.
Even the stock airbox will injest water if your in high standing water, and thats an insurance issue, not a warranty issue.
I like the vortex because it sits up high like the stock unit.
To me all these airboxes are overpriced. Relative to the rest however, the vortex is the best value for maximum gain.
Btw, you can remove the tornado sticker if you want :)
