Has anyone installed one of these Vortex Ram Air Intakes? Nothing seems to be fitting together properly. It looks like the intake pipe is about an inch too long to fit, and even if it were the right length, the angles are off just enough so that the hood doesn't close.

I know this isn't rocket science folks, and I have assembled engines before so I do know what I'm doing under the hood of a car. This simply does not fit together.

So, who here has installed one on a C6?

 

If you called us we could of tried to help. By the way they do fit all the way down and does not hit the hood. If you like please call us for tech help on the install.

Ernie
www.BreathlessPerformance.com
954-925-7725

 

Thanks Ernie. I'll give you a call now. (Unfortunately I picked Sunday for the install).

I'll update this thread after I speak with Ernie.

Thanks

 

I would like to hear your impressions of the unit including install, quality of parts, fit, performance, and sound if you get a chance. Thanks.

 

Okay folks, according to Ernie, it's supposed to be a very very tight fit. In order to get that extra inch of clearance that you might need, it's okay to actually cut 1/2" off each end of the powerduct to get everything to slide together properly.

(So, now the ones of you who will be installing this mod in the future know what to do!)

 

Then why didn't they just make the duct 1" shorter to start with. I don't like to pay for some else to engineer a product and then have to re-engineer it after I get it home in order to make it work.

 

yeah, it ain't cheap either!

 

Keep us posted . we want details,fit ,finish,performance,Sound, you get the idea.

Thanks
Mike

 

Well, I just finished the install. I haven't started the car so I can't give feedback on any sound or performance difference yet (so I will update this thread at a later date).

I hacked off 1/2" from each end of the powerduct with my trusty little hacksaw. Even after chopping, it was still a tight fit. But, everything DID fit. I have no idea how Ernie and the boys install this without hacking off the ends a little bit. There simply is not enough room in the engine compartment to make everything fit. (Now if the motor was moved back an inch, that would be a different story).

As a side note, the powerduct as shipped appears long enough to work on a C5, and I'm not sure the differences that were employed to create the new C6 kit (I'm told everything is a little different, but I don't have a C5 around here to try this out on).

If you order this product, measure the long side of the powerduct. If it measures approximately 15 inches, you need to cut off 1/2" inch from each end with a hacksaw. Trust me on this.

Now, on to the good stuff...

Overall, I think the quality of the kit is very good. The one-page instructions even have small colored pictures (hard to see, but they are there nonetheless).

The finish of the kit is nice and clean, and definitely not cheap looking. The clips used to mount the airbox fit nice and snug and screwing the airbox onto the shroud is a piece of cake.

I did not use a drill for the holes in the airbox since my drill wouldn't reach into the engine compartment. I ended up using my dremel for everything (large cutting disc for the opening, a small drill bit for the bolts which I slotted). I wouldn't attempt this installation without a nice dremel.

I found during the install that it was a bit inconvenient that the hood was in my way. It sure would have been nice to work from the front of the car like on a Mustang. Nothing you can't work around, but just make sure you have a strong lower back.

The kit comes with everything you need. All hose clamps, sleeve connectors, and bolts are included. Everything in the kit is a tight fit, which is a good thing for longevity and reliability.

The powerduct and filter sleeve barely rest against the hood when closed, but once again, everything is a tight fit.

Overall, the I am pleased with the fit and finish.

As to performance and sound, I will have to update this thread later.

Also, the instructions say you can remove the MAF screen for additional airflow. On a dyno this is probably worth a couple horses, but would not be noticeable at all if this was the only mod on the car. For reliability reasons, I decided to leave the MAF screen installed. (In order to remove it you need to destroy it). Once I install headers and start to modify the tune, I might later remove it. This is a controversial mod, and yes, I realize 2002-up ZO6's have a mass air meter without a screen. But I have heard some stories of people who remove the screen on a car that originally came with one and now have some problems (mostly surging between 1k and 2k rpm during idle at times). So, if anyone pulls the screen out, please let me know if you experience any odd engine behavior.

Finally, two thumbs up for Ernie at Breathless Performance for customer service. He's always available to take my calls and will take as much time as necessary to answer all my questions. And, as a consumer, that's very important to me.

 

Glad everything worked out for you. Sorry about having to trim the powerduct. Actually we had a couple go out a little long, all the ones now are shorter.

No the powerduct will not fit the C5. It is a whole new system just for the C6.

If you have any questions please call me.

Ernie
www.BreathlessPerformance.com
954-925-7725

 

Ernie you know I will be sending you my car for you to do all the work but that description seems a little more detailed for the average joe like myself.

 

Corvette Forum actually has user reviews of products with hints and tips on installing. I also know there are some installation instructions "enhanced" by users out there on the web. Do a www.google.com search for those.

Here are the corvette forum users reviews on the vortex:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/revi...7&cat=5&page=1

 

Its really not that bad to install it and actually if you do get stuck you can always give us a call for help.

Ernie
www.BreathlessPerformance.com

 

I agree. It's not a difficult install at all. Just make sure the powerduct is the proper length.

 

CCW So how does feel did you notice any difference???
Sound ,Speed etc.
Please give us a litttle feed back.

Mike

 

Sorry for the delay in updating this thread.

Here's my feedback in terms of sound and performance:

There is no real noticeable difference in terms of sound. In fact, I didn't notice any change in the sound whatsoever.

In terms of performance, there is a small noticeable increase in power. The power increase is throughout the entire rpm band. The difference is not significant by any means. But if you're used to the car completely stock you can tell there's a difference.

The car revs just slightly quicker, and I even bounced the engine off the rev limiter in first gear by accident since the car seemed to wind up just a bit quicker.

In a stoplight to stoplight kind of race, I'd imagine you might pick up half a car length or so.

The performance increase does seem to be a bit more noticeable in higher gears, which makes sense for a ram air system.

Don't expect a huge power increase or anything, but I definitely think it's a worthwhile mod for the money.

If anyone has a bone stock c6 (6-speed) in the San Diego area, let's get together and do a late night one-on-one test (for research purposes only, of course).

Any more Q's, just ask.

 

Glad you like the results. As you said if you went back to the factory system you would be able to notice the differance even greater. Yes it does give a smooth pull all the way up and not at a certain high RPM but through out the range. You should be able to pick up a good 2 to 3 tenths in the 1/4.

Ernie
www.BreathlessPerformance.com