Boy am I getting confused. I've got a stock 02 vert and want to do something with the intake. Have read almost all Blackwing topics and what confuses me is that some guys state that there is very little HP gain with 01 and newer models compared with the 2000 and older ones.

I don't really want to spend the money and not gain very much.

How would the Blackwing compare to the Vararam in HP gain?

Any and all help would be appreciated.

 

The Blackwing does not add as much HP in the 01+ models since they have the LS6 Intake and a few other bells and whistles. But it does add some oomph. I believe the vararam will add quite a bit more since it is forced induction....**Up to 30-40 HP** at the crank (advertising i read someplace) is what I've heard. But you do have to do some cutting and other stuff to make it work. Doesn't bolt on easily like the Blackwing.


[Modified by RskyBns, 6:11 PM 2/7/2003]

 

40 is very optimistic. Count on similar gains for both ~10-15rhwp. The VR is more difficult to install and costs more $$. The BW is simple to install, and <$200. I'm very happy with my Blackwing. :seeya

 

I am going to be going with the Blackwing....the easy install and recommendations on here have led me down that path. Hopefully I'll be able to get to it in a few weeks/months.

 

I just did the Blackwing on my 02, and it is a significant improvement over stock. Plus the car sounds way cooler. :smash: :smash:

 

Just from the mere fact the Vararam gets air directly from what is "dead space" where the BW uses the same sources as stock, it would seem the Vararam would make a bigger difference.

I have not tried the Vararam, have done a BW, liked the litle different sound, felt some improvement seat of the pants, but certainly not a big deal. I don't drive the car at the high range of RPM's where you might be able to see a bigger difference.

If you can find a couple guys, one with BW, other with VR, maybe they could take you a ride so you could make a better decision.:chevy:flag:chevy:flag

 

Two different dogs with two different bites. One is a little meaner.:)

RG

 

I believe the Vararam may be worth a few ponies over the Blackwing, but what turned me off about the Vararam is the filter. I'm just not too confident that foam filter is going to provide proper filtration over the long term. Where as the Blackwing is a Donaldson filter. Donaldson produces their own synthetic filtration media which is superior to the K&N for its filtering properties, and its lack of restriction. And it even has an indicatior that tells you when it needs clieaning. Couple all that with its mounting system that uses the origional fixtures makes the Blackwing superior to everything else out there (IMHO).

 

I've tried a few, and am most pleased with the VaraRam. Don't believe the "ram air" hype, but do expect a substantial gain due to the cold air your engine will breathe. I picked up .15 in the 1/4 and almost 2 MPH from the VR alone over a Halltech T-1 top breather. :cheers:

 

Hey guys, thanks for the input, I think the Blackwing will be my choice.

It just seems easier to install and probably the best bang for the buck.

Again, thanks alot. :thumbs:

Cheers

:cheers:

 

GM made some larger openings in the stock air cleaner cover in the newer years, which helped with the breathing. However significant gains can still be made by going to aftermarket air cleaners or by modifying the stock cover.

I believe that the Blackwing is unsurpassed in its CFM capability. It’s a large, quality filter with a very large surface area. There are other filters such as the Vortex or the Vararam that are smaller filters that through mounting through the radiator shroud (Vortex) or ducting from the fog light area (Vararam) draw cold air in which is denser and can support more fuel for a given air/fuel ratio resulting in additional power.

Modifying or removing the black plastic pieces in the fog light area can supply cold air to the Blackwing. In addition, there is a cover available that coupled with a hole in the radiator shroud will supply cold air as well. However, these cold air solutions for the Blackwing have sometimes caused drivability problems due to the mixed temperature of the supplied air.

Another thing to consider is that there have been water ingestion problems and resultant motor damage with some cold air systems when the car is driven through deep puddles. Most of these reports have come from parts of the country where large sudden cloudbursts (toad floaters) are not unusual.

As far as a ram or forced air effect with some of the cold air systems go, those people familiar with fluid dynamics principles would say that what ever effect is generated at the relatively modest speeds we drive at would be lost in the convolutions of the air tract and the restriction of the filter. Others are true believers in much the same vein as those that believe in the healing powers of ion bracelets—they tried it and it works for them.

 

Go with the BW unless you are planning mucho more mods. :thumbs:

 

:iagree: :thumbs:

 

FWIW, if you don't drive in inclement weather, you can leave off the top of the stock airbox and just use zip ties to hold the rectangular frame down on the filter.

 

I have an 2001 vert with a Black wing filter and corsa cat back I saw nice impovement from stock. But to answer your question vararam gives more hp
but is not for your every day driven vette.The reason why on a day that it is raining theres a good chance for hydro lock.I suggest you do blackwing power
coppler and your choice of cat back exhaust.I prefer corsa they have the best quality. Stock my car had a e/t of 12.87 after blackwing and corsa cat back 12.76 spinning pretty bad ;)

 

Water worries:

We've all seen reports of stock boxes hydro locking if submersed.

Falling rain will not harm cold air kits like the Vararam or Vortex, nor the BW or stock.

It is wise under any condition really, that you shouldn't drive in puddles you don't know the depth of.

If YOU think it will give you a worry though, then your best choice is one that gives YOU peace of mind. The car should be enjoyed not worried over.:)

The VR will outperform the Blackwing all day long. It's a Cold-Air-Intake and the BW is not. Some folks don't care about the nth degree of performance. They want something better than stock, which fits the BW....easy to install and remove.

:)

RG

ps. We offer both items as well as the Vortex. Pick one you feel comfortable with after looking at each one's design and install length.




[Modified by RG in Dallas, 11:35 AM 2/8/2003]

 

Vararam:




=


=

Blackwing:




RG

 

I have the VR on mine and it's been a daily driver for me for a few months already. I see you're from northern NJ, do you remember a couple months back with the bad rain when 46 was flooding with around 6" of standing water? I drove through without a problem. If I had a vortex I would have been screwed, but the VR sits high enough for me not to worry about it.

 

Check out my post from one of the earlier threads on this topic. I have tried all of them. The VR eliminated the surging and added 32 pounds of tq in the mid range. FWIW. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=359398
Randy :cheers:

 

I put alot of miles on my Vararam, through snow, rain you name it. The filter is not what I truely desire but they offer different options for filters. I had to order a new one and its on the way. The VR will more than likely not show you much gains on a static dyno. On the track I gained 2.4 mph, with the VR. If I did the MPH/HP calculator that would be roughly 20 HP, this of course is through a ls1 (99) intake, stock intake bridge, and crappy DA and kansa weather as well. Not quite 40 but with a LS6 intake like on the 01-02's I bet it would be. Its really not that hard to install. It is somewaht of a pain, but to go fast, not everything is easy. i have started to see the price come down alot lately too. I have seen them for around 399.00 i believe