c5 vrs zo6 air filter lid

[gcmlear]

I have seen the pictures showing the differences in openings between the two and it seems to be significant. Question , why would gm just not use the same lids for both engines (seems similer enough to warrent it) Is it worth the $40 if I stay with delco filters? The engine must breath better with a bigger opening, no?

 

[bluecoupe]

The z06 was allowed to be nosier than the standard c5. The extra air/fuel mixture was needed to feed the LS6. If you switch to the Z06 air cover add a K&N filter to let it breath better. That'll be money well spent.

 

[jimmie jam]

z06 air box

The z06 was allowed to be nosier than the standard c5. The extra air/fuel mixture was needed to feed the LS6. If you switch to the Z06 air cover add a K&N filter to let it breath better. That'll be money well spent.

bluecoupe,

how difficult is it to change this "cover".... looks like you'd have to disassemble the front end? thanks.

j.jam

 

[BobM]

Jimmie,

I think the pics may have been from my post (link below).
It is relativly easy to replace the cover. Remove the air filter and locking clips for the cover. You then need to pull the cover toward the engine to get the two mounting pins off of the two rubber gromets on the cover. There is a fair amount of effort to slip the new cover in and force it over the ridges on the main air box at the bottom edge and then pushing the rubber grommets back over the two pins. I also put in a K&N filter which comes with a "peel and stick" gasket which you need to put in with the airbox cover removed to get access to where it needs to go.

I took the car out and noted an immediate change when I got on the throttle with these two changes. My 12 year old noted the louder air intake and I noted a bit more response with little effort or cost. Worth the effort for both in my opinion and I have a liftime filter now as well.

Regards,
Bob M.

My airbox post:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65367

 

[bluecoupe]

I disconnected the air duct to the MAF unit and took the entire air cleaner assembly (off of its pins) out of the car and replace the filter and cover then reinstalled it as a complete unit. Then pushed it onto the pins and clamped the straps and tightend the air duct clamp. It is a bit of a pain to do because there isn't a lot of room.

 

[Robert YellowVette]

Jimmie,

I think the pics may have been from my post (link below).
It is relativly easy to replace the cover. Remove the air filter and locking clips for the cover. You then need to pull the cover toward the engine to get the two mounting pins off of the two rubber gromets on the cover. There is a fair amount of effort to slip the new cover in and force it over the ridges on the main air box at the bottom edge and then pushing the rubber grommets back over the two pins. I also put in a K&N filter which comes with a "peel and stick" gasket which you need to put in with the airbox cover removed to get access to where it needs to go.

I took the car out and noted an immediate change when I got on the throttle with these two changes. My 12 year old noted the louder air intake and I noted a bit more response with little effort or cost. Worth the effort for both in my opinion and I have a liftime filter now as well.

Regards,
Bob M.

My airbox post:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65367

How many OEM paper filters can you buy for what you paid for the K&N?

Notice how much better the K&N flows dirt into your engine:

http://home.usadatanet.net/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

 

['04 Torch Red]

I have seen the pictures showing the differences in openings between the two and it seems to be significant. Question , why would gm just not use the same lids for both engines (seems similer enough to warrent it) Is it worth the $40 if I stay with delco filters? The engine must breath better with a bigger opening, no?

===========================================================
Why not just do the correct thing and let that baby breathe easier with a Donaldson Blackwing...took me 30 mins to install going slow...
===========
Donaldson Blackwing Install

Purpose

Upgrade from your stock air filter to one of the higher flowing air filters available for the C5.

Tools Required

The following tools were used to make the modification.

• Flathead screwdriver
• Small adjustable wrench (if you decide to disconnect battery)

Important Notes

• this is a good place to remove [as I forgot to do!] your watch, rings and any items that may get caught in the machinery as you proceed with the filter installation.

Do the Job

1. You should have your Blackwing filter and instruction sheet handy. Read the instructions a couple of times while you locate the various filter parts and items under the hood. You'll notice that the filter comes with a small piece of rubber tubing - you'll need this if you have a 2001 or newer car with the 4-inch intake diameter. Earlier cars don't require this piece; save it anyway - you'll want it when you move the filter to your new C5!
   
   
   
   
2. Take a look at all the underhood pieces you'll be dealing with. Mark and label hoses and wires if you need to. The instructions call for disconnecting the battery - optional in my opinion, but disconnect the negative cable if you'd like. The installation takes about an hour so you'll need to check memory functions on the radio after you reconnect the battery.
   
   
   
3. Use the screwdriver to disconnect the clamp from the rubber accordion piece leading into the throttle body. With the screwdriver, pry [being careful not to damage the wire bundle running to the MAF sensor plug] the plastic air bridge away from its rubber locating grommets. Slide the rubber lip away from the throttle body.
   
   
   
4. A very important step now is to locate the small tab in the center of the top of the electrical connector on the MAF sensor plug. The small tab must be pushed down before the gray "key" in the plug can be pulled out. If you don't remove this "key", you'll never get the MAF sensor plug out. Once the "key" is removed, you then squeeze the sides of the MAF connector toward the center and pull it [gently] away from the MAF sensor housing. DO NOT LOSE THE "KEY"!
   
   
   
5. One last item before removing the stock air filter assembly. You have to remove the friction clamp that holds the end of the PCV hose onto the air cleaner connector. Slide the screwdriver blade between the two serrated "jaws" of the clamp and rotate the blade until the clamp opens. You can now disconnect the hose from the air filter box. Save the friction clamp! With the hose free and the MAF sensor plug out of the way, remove the stock air filter assembly by first reaching down between the hood and the top of the air filter box; you should feel a locating grommet on either end of the lower edge of the air filter box. Pull the box free of the locating posts inside the grommets. Pulling the whole air filter assembly up and toward the rear of the car is all it takes to complete the removal.
   
   
6. You can remove the clamp holding the front of the MAF sensor to the stock airbox. Notice the screen on the front of the MAF - if it's missing on your car you have a 2002 Z06! Look for the rubber grommets on either side of the stock airbox. Pull them out and save them.
   
   
   
7. to install in the openings on either side of the bottom flange on the Blackwing filter. At the top of the Blackwing is a rubber gasket designed for earlier intakes (3.5 in diameter.) Leave it on for 97-99s; remove and replace with the supplied rubber hose section for 2001s and newer cars (4 in diameter.) If you use the new hose section make sure you seat it fully down over the intake mouth.
   
   
   
8. Leaving the circular clamps hand tight, insert the MAF sensor into the filter opening. You'll need to have enough play to adjust the filter and MAF locations when you reinstall the intake assembly. The best approach is to seat the rubber grommets on the bottom of the Blackwing on their locating posts first; then adjust the filter assembly to get the rubber accordion piece of the mouth of the throttle body. Last, make sure you have the MAF sensor wiring harness routed under the airbridge before you seat the "ears" on the air bridge back over their locating grommets. Reconnect the MAF sensor plug and install the gray locking "key."
   
   
   
9. You can remove the PCV connector from the stock filter and install it in the hole provided as shown on the Blackwing. Push the PCV hose over the connector and reinstall the original friction clamp. Once you're satisfied with the filter assembly location, don't forget to tighten all the clamps. You're done!
   
   
10. 7. Collect up all tools, instructions, beer bottles, etc. from the engine compartment BEFORE closing the hood - those "longneck" dents are hard to hide. =============================================

In step # 2, do not disconnect the battery ..it is not necessary

 

[bluecoupe]

[QUOTE='04 Torch Red]===========================================================
Why not just do the correct thing and let that baby breathe easier with a Donaldson Blackwing...took me 30 mins to install going slow...
...[/QUOTE]

That is a really good solution but it costs three times as much as the Z06 lid and a K&N type replacement filter.

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

That is a really good solution but it costs three times as much as the Z06 lid and a K&N type replacement filter.

I was able to buy a used Blackwing for $150 from a fellow Vette enthusiast when he changed over to a Vortex Rammer.

 

[bluecoupe]

I was able to buy a used Blackwing for $150 from a fellow Vette enthusiast when he changed over to a Vortex Rammer.

You lucky *&^%$#@ ! That's a great price!
I am using the Blackwing replacement filter with a Z06 lid in my C5. You can really hear the air sucking into the intake it you stand in front of the car when it is idling. Much, much better than the paper filter.

 

[Robert YellowVette]

I was able to buy a used Blackwing for $150 from a fellow Vette enthusiast when he changed over to a Vortex Rammer.

Why did he change from one aftermarket air cleaner to another?

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

Why did he change from one aftermarket air cleaner to another?

I never asked. I guess it's what he wanted for his car.

 

[DRTH VTR]

I saw a dyno comparison of stock, Blackwing, and VaraRam, and the VaraRam came out on top. I believe that it added 3-4 MPH to my trap speed at the drag strip and cut about 0.3 seconds off my time. I like mine. The down side is that the VaraRam is just as happy to feed water to the engine as it is to feed air. No Puddles!

 

[Bioscache2]

I saw that same test and was originally gonna get the vararam but the fact that I need the vette as a daily driver stopped me. I wouldn't want to risk ingesting water if I had to drive in heavy rain.

 

[DRTH VTR]

I saw that same test and was originally gonna get the vararam but the fact that I need the vette as a daily driver stopped me. I wouldn't want to risk ingesting water if I had to drive in heavy rain.

They claim to have made some design changes that help with that problem. Mine is a daily driver, and I do drive in the rain. It does not seem to mind rain. Deep puddles and large splashes seem more dangerous to me. I think it would take a lot of water to present a real problem. There is a foam air filter in there that will block all but the most serious water intake issues. I am careful when there is major water, but I don't worry about rain.

 

[motorman]

How many OEM paper filters can you buy for what you paid for the K&N?

Notice how much better the K&N flows dirt into your engine:

http://home.usadatanet.net/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

a diesel engine throttle runs wide open all the time and the RPMs are controlled by the fuel flow so a diesel engine can not be compared to a gasoline engine when it comes to how much dirt get thru the filter in a specific length of time. i ran cut open lid air boxes on all my C-5s with a K&N and checked the inside of the air box for excess dirt using a clean white rag and found none. JMHO

 

[gcmlear]

interesting, I have also read the reports on the filter tests. But as to my original question, why do you suppose that the general not use the same filter lid , necessary I understand for the Z06 but would it not benifit the LS1 as well, even with the original filters.