Are cold air mods really worth it?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Redmond WA
Are cold air mods really worth it?
I'm a newbie trying to figure out my first mod and after reading up on cold air intakes it gave me the impression they only make a real performance difference when driving 65mph+. Is this true?
My 99 'vert is a daily driver and I don't get up that fast very often so perhaps it's not worthwhile for someone like me. I'm looking for take off speed. :steering:
My 99 'vert is a daily driver and I don't get up that fast very often so perhaps it's not worthwhile for someone like me. I'm looking for take off speed. :steering:
8th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Bedford Tx
Re: Are cold air mods really worth it? (jamescl)
I just put in the Halltech trap system which is a semi bottom feeder. From a performance standpoint the intake only really makes a difference under higher RPM's. In my old high school hot rod days, I tricked out a 69 firebird with many mods such as cam, heads, intake and carb, headers etc. I also did a torque converter and 4.56 gears. The converter and especially the gears were the most dramatic mod. So if you want fast starts, the cheapest way is with gears. The next cheap mod wold be NOS. :auto:
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco CA
Re: Are cold air mods really worth it? (jamescl)
First, any change to the stock airbox is an improvement. Colder air is denser air and will give you more power than just a less restrictive filter. There are some cold air systems that claim they are ram air systems and will boost power more at higher speeds and there is some anectdotal evidence that this may be true. Bottom line is the benefits of cold air are proven and the benefits of ram air are still questionable.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Re: Are cold air mods really worth it? (jamescl)
Depends on cost.....cold air is 200 and gears are 1500. The 1500 is way better performance than the airbox. You will see 15hp from the airbox and a simulated 75hp from gears.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Redmond WA
Re: Are cold air mods really worth it? (SpinMonster)
Although pricey, it looks like a gear mod is what I'm looking for. Any issues doing it on an automatic? Any suggestions on ratio?
[Modified by jamescl, 5:13 PM 8/16/2003]
[Modified by jamescl, 5:13 PM 8/16/2003]
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Stockbridge GA
Re: Are cold air mods really worth it? (jamescl)
Blackwing, better throttle response with more power across the RPM range.
You'll do it (intake) someday, if not now. So why wait, it's inexpensive.
You'll do it (intake) someday, if not now. So why wait, it's inexpensive.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Re: Are cold air mods really worth it? (SFVetteman)
First, any change to the stock airbox is an improvement. Colder air is denser air and will give you more power than just a less restrictive filter. There are some cold air systems that claim they are ram air systems and will boost power more at higher speeds and there is some anectdotal evidence that this may be true. Bottom line is the benefits of cold air are proven and the benefits of ram air are still questionable.
You want air, supercharge it. That's the only way you'll get it.
Bob
:flag
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
Re: Are cold air mods really worth it? (Korreck)
A Blackwing will make a good improvement, but not many things are going to do it like gears...let alone the "fun factor" with the gears.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Re: Are cold air mods really worth it? (jamescl)
Me personally, I dont think so not for the money anyways. I found a K&N filter that would attach to MAF and cut out the ducts where the fog lights are. I think I accomplished everything that the aftermarket cold air kits do for a fraction of the price. Thats my $0.02. :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Re: Are cold air mods really worth it? (add)
I think we can agree that there is no actual "Ram Air" effect at the speeds our cars run. But you will get cooler air to your engine, outside air temps are going to be a lot cooler than the temps under your hood. One forum member reported after doing ATAP with a Blackwing his IATs were 147 degrees on a 95 degee day. After he installed The Vararam he said his IATs are always the same as outside air temps. Even 95 degree air is a whole lot cooler than the 147 degree air under your hood, your engine develops more pwer with cooler air. IMHO the cold air systems work. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 935
Likes: 306
From: Long Island, NY
Re: Are cold air mods really worth it? (jamescl)
I think its a good starting point. Here are my dyno results from a past thread of mine.
O.K. here they are. They did 5 dyno pulls. The first 2 are with the stock air box and factory filter. Pulls 3,4+5 are with the Widemouth.
Dyno pull 1 = 299.3 rwhp
305.2 rwtq
Dyno pull 2 = 294.2 rwhp
299.9 rwtq
Dyno pull 3 = 311.6 rwhp
316.8 rwtq
Dyno pull 4 = 312.8 rwhp
319.8 rwtq
Dyno pull 5 = 313.3 rwhp
321.1 rwtq.
I figure for 200 bucks this is not to bad. Overall i am impressed. Also it really brings out the sound of the engine. I can feel a difference. Maybe it is just because I want to feel it.
O.K. here they are. They did 5 dyno pulls. The first 2 are with the stock air box and factory filter. Pulls 3,4+5 are with the Widemouth.
Dyno pull 1 = 299.3 rwhp
305.2 rwtq
Dyno pull 2 = 294.2 rwhp
299.9 rwtq
Dyno pull 3 = 311.6 rwhp
316.8 rwtq
Dyno pull 4 = 312.8 rwhp
319.8 rwtq
Dyno pull 5 = 313.3 rwhp
321.1 rwtq.
I figure for 200 bucks this is not to bad. Overall i am impressed. Also it really brings out the sound of the engine. I can feel a difference. Maybe it is just because I want to feel it.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Granada Hills CA
Re: Are cold air mods really worth it? (jamescl)
It is very hot in the engine compartment on these C5's. When you install a cool air intake it really wakes the car up off the line performance. I have noticed alot of throttle response and kick off the line with this mod
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Re: Are cold air mods really worth it? (C5Coup)
Cold air helps regardless, best bang for the cheap buck. :cheers: :iagree:
The first mod that should and needs to be done on any C5 is to get rid of the stock airbox :smash: :smash: :smash:
