cheesy mod
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
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cheesy mod
I was going to swisscheese theairbox on my C5 and then got caught up in the real world of basic engineering. the filter is about 7" by 13" so about 91 si of surface area. Even deducting the filter housing center strip you have at least 80 si. If you use a 1" hole saw to cut airholes, each hole (pi x r squared) is about .785 si. so to maximize the surface area open to the filter you would need over 100 holes !!!
Man, that's a lot of drilling. so the zip tie guys may be onto something- except I want to keep the stock housing to mount the filter securely with the bands and housing- anybody just cut out some rectangles in the top? Only problem I see with that is how sturdy is the plastic that's left to not warp or get loose?? thoughts anyone??
Man, that's a lot of drilling. so the zip tie guys may be onto something- except I want to keep the stock housing to mount the filter securely with the bands and housing- anybody just cut out some rectangles in the top? Only problem I see with that is how sturdy is the plastic that's left to not warp or get loose?? thoughts anyone??
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
If you want something that looks a bit more oem but still provides more air, you can DIY something like this. I used my '04 Z06/Z16 lid. Any '02-'04 Z06 lid will work as the larger opening is already there to improve upon. Any '97-'01 non Z06 lid could be modified in a similar fashion. The original opening was something like 10 sq in if I remember correctly. I opened it up to just over 20 sq in.
I did this because the "Blackwing" that I originally installed caused intermittent lean bank codes. It might have had something to do with my 5,200ft altitude, but driving 300 miles round trip for a $300 tune didn't appeal to me.
This modification yielded the same air intake noise and performance as the after market and caused no codes. I was careful not to remove to much of the vanes on the underside which I felt might weaken the lid when the metal straps were attached. Some of the vanes also direct air flow.
I have since sold this to another member and installed a CALLAWAY "Honker" which is a true cold air intake.
I did this because the "Blackwing" that I originally installed caused intermittent lean bank codes. It might have had something to do with my 5,200ft altitude, but driving 300 miles round trip for a $300 tune didn't appeal to me.
This modification yielded the same air intake noise and performance as the after market and caused no codes. I was careful not to remove to much of the vanes on the underside which I felt might weaken the lid when the metal straps were attached. Some of the vanes also direct air flow.
I have since sold this to another member and installed a CALLAWAY "Honker" which is a true cold air intake.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jan 26, 2012 at 12:27 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Or opening the hood after washing your car.That's why I used an C5 ZO6 air cleaner top on my 1998. It has a large slit in bottom and vents on the end also. Early C5's (1997-2000) can really benifit from this as their lid is extremely restricted ! Corvette Engineers weren't stupid and were constantly improving the C5.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I still think you will never notice the increase in open area over the stock Z06 air box.
I would be more worried about cutting the box to the point that you do not get a good seal on the filter element, and you let dirt bypass the filter...
Also keep in mind that if you put in a filter element that is less restrictive, it is probably letting more dirt pass through. The stock paper element is the best compromise. Some "oiled" filters are less restrictive when first installed, but they clog faster, and ultimately end up being more restrictive than the paper element.
I would be more worried about cutting the box to the point that you do not get a good seal on the filter element, and you let dirt bypass the filter...
Also keep in mind that if you put in a filter element that is less restrictive, it is probably letting more dirt pass through. The stock paper element is the best compromise. Some "oiled" filters are less restrictive when first installed, but they clog faster, and ultimately end up being more restrictive than the paper element.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Jan 23, 2012 at 05:57 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Houston Texas
