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:

Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 04:47 PM
  #1  
extremecorvette's Avatar
extremecorvette
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 1
From: Iowa City, IA
Default Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why

I just got off the phone with Patrick at Vararam; I’ve never been on the phone with any one for more than 1hr. I was on the phone with him for almost 3hrs. This guy is the most knowledgeable person I’ve ever talked to about mods. Everything I asked him he was able to pull hard tested number and in most cases he had numbers from a out side source.

Cartek and the company that makes Vararam have dynode and road tested several power ducts and they don’t get you any more hp, Cartek found one that did get you 4 more hp under curve not peak hp, not that good when your talking about 250.00 product. The aftermarket power ducts do deliver more air but with fuel injection port velocity is king. The duct is bigger witch slows the air down and drops the air pressure, it’s like when you have a straw and you blow threw it the air coming out is moving fast as your pushing the air in, but with a bigger power duct your making the straw have a big center section and then shrieking it back to the stock size witch doesn’t do anything for you. He said you should get ride of that according air coupler that goes form the power duct to the TB. He said the stock works just great and there are better places to spend you money.
:steering:
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 04:51 PM
  #2  
bparker's Avatar
bparker
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 0
From: Frisco TX
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (extremecorvette)

Yep - they have been generally accepted as an appearance mod - :D - cause the stockers are just to plain for such a sweet ride! :jester


[Modified by bparker, 5:29 PM 3/29/2003]
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 04:53 PM
  #3  
Untouchable00's Avatar
Untouchable00
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,262
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach CA
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (extremecorvette)

I was always bothered by the price of those things. But they do look sweet.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 07:12 PM
  #4  
CJS's Avatar
CJS
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,370
Likes: 51
From: New Milford CT
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (extremecorvette)

Did he mention the HP gain from changing out the accordian coupler to a smooth one?
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 07:35 PM
  #5  
extremecorvette's Avatar
extremecorvette
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 1
From: Iowa City, IA
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (CJS)

Sorry I didn't ask but I know from talking with other people that they only get 2hp gain and some times it doesn't even show any gains with a dyno. But it is common since that air would flow better with it so it can't hurt, only 40.00-50.00 so you’re not out to much.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 08:17 PM
  #6  
DsC5's Avatar
DsC5
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,292
Likes: 0
From: Hockessin Delaware
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (Untouchable00)

I was always bothered by the price of those things. But they do look sweet.
:withstupid:
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 08:20 PM
  #7  
batsallover's Avatar
batsallover
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,033
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (extremecorvette)

Yep....I would not have bought my carbon fiber air duct but for $35.00, it was a deal I could not refuse. :lol:
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 08:33 PM
  #8  
Mike Mercury's Avatar
Mike Mercury
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (batsallover)

if it's only cosmetic... for the price of a decal set (and a can of clear coat) one can dress up the stock air-bridge quite nicely :)

Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

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

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Mar 28, 2003 | 08:54 PM
  #9  
dragerty's Avatar
dragerty
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (batsallover)

Yep....I would not have bought my carbon fiber air duct but for $35.00, it was a deal I could not refuse. :lol:
:eek: Did you have a gun? :lol:
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2003 | 09:27 AM
  #10  
Crushinator's Avatar
Crushinator
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 132
From: PA
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (dragerty)

Okay, I'll admit it. I just paid $227 for my carbon fiber power duct with the 405hp Z06 emblem. Together with the Blackwing, the difference was noticeable. Obviously due to the Blackwing. But it looks so good! Plus I shaved off a good 12 to 14 ounces going from plastic to carbon fiber, so my car HAS to be faster. :lol:

PS, I bought the power duct for appearance only. :seeya
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2003 | 09:32 AM
  #11  
batsallover's Avatar
batsallover
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,033
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (dragerty)

:eek: Did you have a gun? :lol:
:blueangel: :lol: ;)
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2003 | 05:48 PM
  #12  
johnma's Avatar
johnma
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Florence Arizona
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (Nat02Z06)

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2003 | 05:51 PM
  #13  
vetterdstr's Avatar
vetterdstr
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (extremecorvette)

We have been talking about this for years. We know that the duct is just for looks, yet we buy them anyway. :)

vetterdstr :cheers:
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2003 | 06:48 PM
  #14  
ScreaminDemon's Avatar
ScreaminDemon
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 3
From: Memphis Tn
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (vetterdstr)

:iagree:
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2003 | 09:01 PM
  #15  
hogurt's Avatar
hogurt
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 35
From: Fairview Hts. IL
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (vetterdstr)

I too bought the powerduct with the Blackwing. The powerduct was an appearance only mod. . .unfortunately, I am now selling it with the Blackwing so that my supercharger can be installed.

I decided that the powerduct wasn't letting enough air into the engine. . .so I had to switch to forced induction. :lolg:
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2003 | 11:39 PM
  #16  
wtlytng's Avatar
wtlytng
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Lusby MD
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (hogurt)

Thanks for that info, as I was just getting ready to buy one, but now I will stay with the stock one.
G.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2003 | 11:48 PM
  #17  
ViViD C5's Avatar
ViViD C5
Racer
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Coello IL
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (Mike Mercury)

if it's only cosmetic... for the price of a decal set (and a can of clear coat) one can dress up the stock air-bridge quite nicely :)


WOW!!! THAT LOOKS GREAT!!! :eek: :eek: :cool: :cool:

I need to do that bad!! Could you give me instructions on how?

Did you clear coat the entire thing or just the emblem and how?

thanks

:seeya :steering:
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2003 | 12:59 AM
  #18  
TEK WARRIOR's Avatar
TEK WARRIOR
Drifting
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: East Coast
Default Re: Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why (Mike Mercury)

Mike Mercury,Who sells that size decal to fit the stock air bridge?Thanks.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Power Ducts don’t work, here’s why





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:48 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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