Need helpdeciding on new air filter unit
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
From: Edmond Ok
Originally Posted by Dave68
Kap.
If your car is registered in CA, you will have to uninstall and reinstall your Vararam before taking your car in for the smog check. I can swap out my Stinger-R in about 15 minutes, as it, along with the Blackwing, is one of the easiest to install quickly.
If your car is registered in CA, you will have to uninstall and reinstall your Vararam before taking your car in for the smog check. I can swap out my Stinger-R in about 15 minutes, as it, along with the Blackwing, is one of the easiest to install quickly.
Your kidding right? Well, mine was just smogged a month ago (VaraRam was installed about a week ago). But it would be a significant pain in the *** to replace. Is the old sniffer that tough on Vettes? I fear Im screwed then anyway (Loudmouths went on about 4 hours ago).
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Hartland WI
Originally Posted by floosh_coop
I just came back from my 1st drive with my Stinger R installed. There is a noticeable improvement in performance and the exhaust tone has deepened slightly. 
It appears to be exactly as advertised in feedback on this forum. No codes, rough idle, or anything negative.
A couple of other comments...
Jim has finished his move and is back answering email personally. I ordered mine on 6/19 - after he closed his old place - and he shipped it to me on 7/2.
I have an 2k A4. Took me 1 hour to install from the time I began reading the directions downloaded from the Halltech website to the time I finished and washed my hands. Piece of cake. No cutting or drilling. Everything worked like a champ.
There are 2 versions of the Stinger R. One for the 97-2000 with the extra hole for the 2nd sensor that plugs into the bridge near the throttle body and one for the 2001+ without the extra sensor hole. Not sure how long there have been 2 versions, but if someone has had to cut a hole for the extra sensor they may have gotten a 2001+ version and really needed the other.
I read here about potential problems with the Stinger fitting under the hood, so I looked at my hoodliner before I pulled the stock stuff. There was already an impression in the hood liner to provide clearance for the stock bridge. (Or maybe the stock bridge rests against the hoodliner and made that impression.) I don't notice a buldge or anything with the Stinger installed now.
No regrets here. Dave68 was the biggest influence for me on this decision. Thanks Dave!
Steve
It appears to be exactly as advertised in feedback on this forum. No codes, rough idle, or anything negative.A couple of other comments...
Jim has finished his move and is back answering email personally. I ordered mine on 6/19 - after he closed his old place - and he shipped it to me on 7/2.
I have an 2k A4. Took me 1 hour to install from the time I began reading the directions downloaded from the Halltech website to the time I finished and washed my hands. Piece of cake. No cutting or drilling. Everything worked like a champ.
There are 2 versions of the Stinger R. One for the 97-2000 with the extra hole for the 2nd sensor that plugs into the bridge near the throttle body and one for the 2001+ without the extra sensor hole. Not sure how long there have been 2 versions, but if someone has had to cut a hole for the extra sensor they may have gotten a 2001+ version and really needed the other.
I read here about potential problems with the Stinger fitting under the hood, so I looked at my hoodliner before I pulled the stock stuff. There was already an impression in the hood liner to provide clearance for the stock bridge. (Or maybe the stock bridge rests against the hoodliner and made that impression.) I don't notice a buldge or anything with the Stinger installed now.
No regrets here. Dave68 was the biggest influence for me on this decision. Thanks Dave!
Steve
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 59
From: Warner Robins GA
Originally Posted by KapUSMC
Dave,
Your kidding right? Well, mine was just smogged a month ago (VaraRam was installed about a week ago). But it would be a significant pain ... to replace. Is the old sniffer that tough on Vettes? I fear Im screwed then anyway (Loudmouths went on about 4 hours ago).
Your kidding right? Well, mine was just smogged a month ago (VaraRam was installed about a week ago). But it would be a significant pain ... to replace. Is the old sniffer that tough on Vettes? I fear Im screwed then anyway (Loudmouths went on about 4 hours ago).
You have nothing to worry about, leave it on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 850
Likes: 2
Bottom line on the air filter kits - buy the one that you think looks best under your hood. That's where your biggest gain will be. The stock air filter box is pretty plain and boring. The aftermarket products dress up your engine compartment.
The engine can only use as much air as it is designed to use. Changing your air filter doesn't change that design. If it did, half of us would probably just take the air filter out completely when we want to thrash our vettes. Changing the intake would change the design. But the intake is on top of the engine, not in front of the radiator.
So, pick the one that looks best, and enjoy it once its installed, and you pop your hood!
The engine can only use as much air as it is designed to use. Changing your air filter doesn't change that design. If it did, half of us would probably just take the air filter out completely when we want to thrash our vettes. Changing the intake would change the design. But the intake is on top of the engine, not in front of the radiator.
So, pick the one that looks best, and enjoy it once its installed, and you pop your hood!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,249
Likes: 96
From: not far enough from Chicago
Originally Posted by KapUSMC
Dave,
Your kidding right? Well, mine was just smogged a month ago (VaraRam was installed about a week ago). But it would be a significant pain in the *** to replace. Is the old sniffer that tough on Vettes? I fear Im screwed then anyway (Loudmouths went on about 4 hours ago).
Your kidding right? Well, mine was just smogged a month ago (VaraRam was installed about a week ago). But it would be a significant pain in the *** to replace. Is the old sniffer that tough on Vettes? I fear Im screwed then anyway (Loudmouths went on about 4 hours ago).
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,249
Likes: 96
From: not far enough from Chicago
Originally Posted by CE2004
Bottom line on the air filter kits - buy the one that you think looks best under your hood. That's where your biggest gain will be. The stock air filter box is pretty plain and boring. The aftermarket products dress up your engine compartment.
The engine can only use as much air as it is designed to use. Changing your air filter doesn't change that design. If it did, half of us would probably just take the air filter out completely when we want to thrash our vettes. Changing the intake would change the design. But the intake is on top of the engine, not in front of the radiator.
So, pick the one that looks best, and enjoy it once its installed, and you pop your hood!
The engine can only use as much air as it is designed to use. Changing your air filter doesn't change that design. If it did, half of us would probably just take the air filter out completely when we want to thrash our vettes. Changing the intake would change the design. But the intake is on top of the engine, not in front of the radiator.
So, pick the one that looks best, and enjoy it once its installed, and you pop your hood!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Talty TX
Stinger here and install was very easy and looks great. Car feels more powerful and sounds different/good as you can hear the increased air flow.
A couple notes; I understand it takes the computer a few rides to fully adjust to the new airflow and I did notice my car felt stronger after a week or so of driving. Also, I was cought out in the rain the other day and checked the Stinger when I got home and it was dry.
I highly recommend the Stinger and for the money it's probably the best bang for the buck. :flag
A couple notes; I understand it takes the computer a few rides to fully adjust to the new airflow and I did notice my car felt stronger after a week or so of driving. Also, I was cought out in the rain the other day and checked the Stinger when I got home and it was dry.
I highly recommend the Stinger and for the money it's probably the best bang for the buck. :flag
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,738
Likes: 10
From: Austin, Texas
Originally Posted by garandfan
My biggest thing now is what to do, and what not to do since it is new and still under warranty. Don't want to do something that might end that with only 200 miles on the odometer!!
Once again, guys, Thanks for your advice.
Frank
Once again, guys, Thanks for your advice.
Frank
My '02 is under warranty, and I while that is a concern, I wouldn't let it stop me for an intake mod. As Dave stated earlier, after you've done it once, it will take about 10-15 minutes to swap with the stock air box (KEEP IT!) if you need to have any engine warranty work done.
One thing you do want to be careful of is how much "oil" you spary on when you clean the filter. I have read threads where guys have sprayed to much
"oil" and had it get onto their MAF sensor and cause problems. Nothing devastating, but annoying until the sensor is cleaned. It may be best to spray the filter and let it set over night before starting the engine. JMHO
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
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
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by KapUSMC
Dave,
Your kidding right? Well, mine was just smogged a month ago (VaraRam was installed about a week ago). But it would be a significant pain in the *** to replace. Is the old sniffer that tough on Vettes? I fear Im screwed then anyway (Loudmouths went on about 4 hours ago).
Your kidding right? Well, mine was just smogged a month ago (VaraRam was installed about a week ago). But it would be a significant pain in the *** to replace. Is the old sniffer that tough on Vettes? I fear Im screwed then anyway (Loudmouths went on about 4 hours ago).
It's not the sniffer test that you need to worry about, it's the visual inpection that will cause you to fail if you have an aftermarket intake without C.A.R.B. certification. This means that you will almost definitely need to remove the Vararam and reinstall the stock airbox when the time comes. Finding a "smog-friendly" station has become all but impossible these days, although some have slipped past the smog tech with a Blackwing. However, I wouldn't keep my hopes up that you'll be one of the very few lucky ones.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by roscoe118
Frank,
My '02 is under warranty, and I while that is a concern, I wouldn't let it stop me for an intake mod. As Dave stated earlier, after you've done it once, it will take about 10-15 minutes to swap with the stock air box (KEEP IT!) if you need to have any engine warranty work done.
One thing you do want to be careful of is how much "oil" you spary on when you clean the filter. I have read threads where guys have sprayed to much
"oil" and had it get onto their MAF sensor and cause problems. Nothing devastating, but annoying until the sensor is cleaned. It may be best to spray the filter and let it set over night before starting the engine. JMHO
My '02 is under warranty, and I while that is a concern, I wouldn't let it stop me for an intake mod. As Dave stated earlier, after you've done it once, it will take about 10-15 minutes to swap with the stock air box (KEEP IT!) if you need to have any engine warranty work done.
One thing you do want to be careful of is how much "oil" you spary on when you clean the filter. I have read threads where guys have sprayed to much
"oil" and had it get onto their MAF sensor and cause problems. Nothing devastating, but annoying until the sensor is cleaned. It may be best to spray the filter and let it set over night before starting the engine. JMHO
FYI - You probably won't need to clean the filter for 15,000 miles or so. It does come oiled from Halltech.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by Dave68
FYI - You probably won't need to clean the filter for 15,000 miles or so. It does come oiled from Halltech.
So Dave you seem to know this stuff pretty good. 15k under our normal California conditions?
I'm goin to have to have Andy do this for me when its time!!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Kirkland WA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by thevettenet CA
Ditto - have Blackwings on both cars, but would go with the Halltech if I were starting from scratch.
Have been very satisfied with the Stinger R! Excellent bang for the mod buck!!