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I want to increase the airflow to my A6 but I don't want to cut up my car to install one. Is a Blackwing a good one especially when all you have to do is remove the stock and replace? Does it require the computer to be reprogrammed? Thanks for all the free advice!
Try K&N since you don`t want to cut the shroud. But remember,if you don`t cut the shroud its really not cold air. It will be just like the stocker, sucking in all the engine heat. Cutting the shroud allows the cool air in. Hope this helps.
The shroud only costs about $50.from our GM parts sponsors if you are concerned about cutting it.I cut mine for CAI,and just bought a new one and put it away with the old air filter parts.CAI is the way to go.
I bought a precut shroud with my vararam, saved alot of time and headache on the install. Then if you want to go back, just reuse the original. They are $50. I love my vararam
So wait you can get cold air in by cutting a shroud? How do you cut the shroud? I'm lost on this one lol.
That's pretty much the ONLY way to get cold air in, either by cutting it (done when using a CAI that requires such) or by merely removing two pushpin fasteners and propping it open (easily reversible) for use with the stock set up or the 'K&N style' kits.
Viper,the CAI units use either a tuned snorkel(VaraRam),or a Vortex filter(Vortex Rammer) to increase air intake velocity.They use a sealed box that only allows air to go into the engine.Since the air can only come in from outside the engine bay and it's velocity is increased,the air temp goes down.Above about 35mph is where the effect starts to be noticed.As an aside,GM first used this on the 1957 Corvette,so it has a long track record of increasing power.
As others have stated an actual cold air intake is where your going to get more power (Callaway Honker, Vararam, Vortex etc). I had a Blackwing on my C5 with a cold air shroud and I could definitely see the intake temps drop dramatically while monitoring with EFILive.
Not sure whether you have an LS2 or 3 but......anyhow, I created a poll a while back for the LS3's that is showing some interesting results although I'm not sure only LS3 owners are participating. In any case, take a look at the spread.
I opted for the Halltech Killer Bee...think its a Stinger for LS2??? (simple to install like a Blackwing) as I'm taking a more conservative route to the mod's on my '08 vs. the craziness I did on my Y2K FRC. The performance probably isn't quite there due to no cold air but I still like it. You can add a cold air scoop called the Vette-Air to any of the non CAI kits if you like that requires minimal cutting. I may do that some day.....not sure.
Tom,
I opted for the Halltech Killer Bee...think its a Stinger for LS2??? (simple to install like a Blackwing) as I'm taking a more conservative route to the mod's on my '08 vs. the craziness I did on my Y2K FRC. The performance probably isn't quite there due to no cold air but I still like it. You can add a cold air scoop called the Vette-Air to any of the non CAI kits if you like that requires minimal cutting. I may do that some day.....not sure.
Hope this helps a tiny bit.....
CAI is better, but the KB is fine; safer, cleaner, easy, looks good, etc.
Why waste your money on a BIG FILTER??The stock unit gets it's air from 2 sides and is quite efficient or at least as efficient as any of those big ones.Since you don't want to cut the shroud,all you'll do is waste money...unless,of course,you drive around with your hood open!
I want to increase the airflow to my A6 but I don't want to cut up my car to install one. Is a Blackwing a good one especially when all you have to do is remove the stock and replace? Does it require the computer to be reprogrammed? Thanks for all the free advice!
You're not going to increase the airflow. But if you cut the shroud then the air coming into the motor is cooler and thus denser. The computer senses this and provides appropriate amount of fuel. Vararam has ram air effect which increases air flow but again you have to cut the shroud.