blackwing or vortex intake? which is better
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth TX
blackwing or vortex intake? which is better
Title says it all. I'm ready to replace my stock airbox in my 00 FRC. Which is better in getting me more power/maintenance, etc. The vortex or the blackwing?
:confused:
:confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (NxtLevl007)
I would say Vortex but I'm biased as I'm sure everyone else is. To me, the Blackwing solves the problem of the restrictive stock airbox and stops there. The Vortex does that and pulls in colder air as well. Everyone who has gotten either has had nothing but good things to say so you really can't go wrong. If I were to start from scratch I would probably go Vararam 1B though.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,824
Likes: 351
From: Albuquerque NM
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (NxtLevl007)
A Vortex will get you cooler air, better for HP. The Blackwing will eliminate hydrolock concerns, if you think that is an issue. :cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: SOUTH JERSEY
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (NxtLevl007)
RG at exit 28 motorsports sent me the info you are looking for. It is a great article. I am also wondering what is the best way to go.
http://www.vararam.com/vr1b_comparo01.html
:seeya
http://www.vararam.com/vr1b_comparo01.html
:seeya
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (6Speeder)
A Vortex will get you cooler air, better for HP. The Blackwing will eliminate hydrolock concerns, if you think that is an issue. :cheers:
The Vortex might give you a little more HP than the Blackwing, but you run a much greater risk of hydro locking your engine if you drive your car in the rain.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,824
Likes: 351
From: Albuquerque NM
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (Mitch C)
If you look at where the Vortex is mounted, you will see that driving in the rain shouldn't be a problem. Now high standing water WILL be an issue, but really, this is a car, not a boat. Keep it out of the rivers. :chevy
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (Mitch C)
I wish it didn't flood around here as much as it does so I could go with a more aggressive cold air intake setup. The Halltech TRAP would be a wonderful addition to my Z. But since the roads here in FL often become lakes im going to order a Blackwing next week and play it safe.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,261
Likes: 2
From: Fort Wayne,Indiana
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (EBZ06EB)
I have the BW in my current Z but in my upcoming 2004 Z I will probably be going with the Halltech TRAP....I to live in Miami and when it rains it really rains but to me the TRAP is the safest cold-air out there.... :eek:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth TX
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (GaryZ06)
man...i didn't think about the water. Yeah, my FRC is slammed and my only ride, so I have to drive it rain or shine, so I may want to consider the blackwing.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (NxtLevl007)
rain is not really the issue with any of the good aftermarket intakes. Standing water is the real enemy to the health of your motor. If you ever drive your car through 6 inches or more of water I would suggest you go with the Blackwing and play it safe.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: DFW tx
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (NxtLevl007)
I have the Vortex and drive with it rain or shine. I have driven through plenty of Texas downpours with it, no problems in over 2 years. I like the way it gets cold air. It is more difficult than the BW to install, but also looks much better in my opinion.
I think you would have to hit a deep puddle pretty fast in order to deflect enough water up to where the vortex sits to hydrolock.
I think you would have to hit a deep puddle pretty fast in order to deflect enough water up to where the vortex sits to hydrolock.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (Jeff Jeff)
I had the vortex for a long time- drove it through the heaviest of rain (through some storms where I had to pull over it was so bad) and had no issues at all.
But something I noticed changed my mind about using the vortex- it catches the small bits of sand and gravel that might be bouncing off the road. When I installed heads/cam there was bits of sand INSIDE my engine block, which I wasn't too happy about. I took the vortex filter off and shook it- only to see some sand/gravel fall off of it. Not long after I replaced it with the K&N kit, similar to the blackwing. I haven't seen any loss in power, so its all the same to me.
Just a word of warning...
But something I noticed changed my mind about using the vortex- it catches the small bits of sand and gravel that might be bouncing off the road. When I installed heads/cam there was bits of sand INSIDE my engine block, which I wasn't too happy about. I took the vortex filter off and shook it- only to see some sand/gravel fall off of it. Not long after I replaced it with the K&N kit, similar to the blackwing. I haven't seen any loss in power, so its all the same to me.
Just a word of warning...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 9,724
Likes: 229
From: Motor City Vettes Ringleader
SE Michigan Coordinator
CI 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09-'11,-'13-'14-'15
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (Mitch C)
A Vortex will get you cooler air, better for HP. The Blackwing will eliminate hydrolock concerns, if you think that is an issue. :cheers:
:iagree:
The Vortex might give you a little more HP than the Blackwing, but you run a much greater risk of hydro locking your engine if you drive your car in the rain.
:iagree:
The Vortex might give you a little more HP than the Blackwing, but you run a much greater risk of hydro locking your engine if you drive your car in the rain.
The only way your going to hydrolock, is if you are a intellectual and drive your car through standing water, high enough to where the intake sucks it in. If you look at the placement of the filter opening, it would require you to drive through some deep water.....
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: blackwing or vortex intake? which is better (y2k02c5)
In theory, the vortex should be better, but it seems that in practice the two (vortex and BW) are quite comparable. With that in mind, I went the safe route, and got the Blackwing. It only takes ONE puddle in a pothole that you didn't see...
