Intake air smoother-outer

[PeterG]

Do these things work? I see these advertised at most Corvette suppliers. They claim to smooth the air flow and increase power throughout the RPM range. They cost $50, insert ahead of the MAF sensor, and take just minutes to install.

Has anyone tried any of these and noticed any change in power and / or gas mileage? And how about any problems created?

 

[DRTH VTR]

Other members will chime in here too, but I think that the general consensus would be to save your money. The intake and exhaust systems are just that; they are systems. The engine is an air pump, as air in and air out are the power limiting functions. The better the air moves in and out, the more power potential that you have. But adding a piece here and a piece there is less useful than thinking in terms of all the components. Using an aftermarket filter system such as the Vortex rammer, the VaraRam, or the Blackwing has shown some benefit. Using long tube headers, high flow cats, and a low restriction exhaust system are of benefit. But I doubt that you will get a lot of benefit from the piece that you describe. Just my $0.02

 

[Robert YellowVette]

Do these things work? I see these advertised at most Corvette suppliers. They claim to smooth the air flow and increase power throughout the RPM range. They cost $50, insert ahead of the MAF sensor, and take just minutes to install.

Has anyone tried any of these and noticed any change in power and / or gas mileage? And how about any problems created?

There is one called the 'Turbinator' that 'swirls' the air into the engine and makes the gasoline burn completely. No test results, but lots of testimonials from old rednecks with 17 year old pickups that swear by it.

You can put special magnets on your fuel rails to either 'line up' the fuel molecules or 'fracture' them for great economy and hp increases, next will be crystals you can drop in your fuel tank and holistic copper bands to clamp to the drive shaft...

I mean why would these guys lie... ? =;-]

 

[Remo]

And I've had a substantial HP increase at 85 MPH and beyond since I installed the "Flux Capacitor".


Remo

 

[Patrick]

Remo, that's 88 MPH when the flux-capacitor kicks in.


-Patrick

 

[Eric]

Remo, that's 88 MPH when the flux-capacitor kicks in.


-Patrick

Yup, if you try to engage at 85, who knows where (or when) you'll end up

- Eric

 

[Remo]

Yup, if you try to engage at 85, who knows where (or when) you'll end up

- Eric

Yikes - you guys are right. I just engaged it at 85 MPH to go over to Patrick's house. When I got there it wasn't even built yet.

 

[Eric]

Do these things work? I see these advertised at most Corvette suppliers. They claim to smooth the air flow and increase power throughout the RPM range. They cost $50, insert ahead of the MAF sensor, and take just minutes to install.

Has anyone tried any of these and noticed any change in power and / or gas mileage? And how about any problems created?

Now to get back on course a bit, I too have been wrestling with which mods to do on mine. I just can't see paying $50 for what looks like a slightly squashed piece of PVC. If you're not modifying the point of entry, I can't see how you would get that much of a boost out of that piece. Kinda like making the inside your house bigger. If the door is the same size, you're not getting in any faster.

I'm going for the full intake replacement, just haven't decided if I'm going Blackwing or another.

- Eric

 

[DRTH VTR]

It just seems pretty strange to me. One device claims to straighten the air flow, increasing power. The "Tornado" on TV claims to swirl the airflow, increasing power. Does anyone else see the conflict?

 

[Remo]

I'm going for the full intake replacement, just haven't decided if I'm going Blackwing or another.

- Eric

Eric,

I agree, the real answer is the full intake system. I,m leaning towards the Blackwing. If there's a vendor at Carlisle this year selling them, I'll probably go for it.

Remo:cool

 

[Eric]

Eric,

I agree, the real answer is the full intake system. I,m leaning towards the Blackwing. If there's a vendor at Carlisle this year selling them, I'll probably go for it.

Remo:cool

Maybe we can find a small vendor that will make us a deal on two. - Eric

 

[mqqn]

Hi PeterG -

I have one installed on my wife's 99 coupe.

I don not nitice any benefits - nor do I notice any problems or issues from having it in the intake tract.

I would not buy one, but the one I have came in a "package deal" that I bought when I was trying to buy a used air-bridge.

The one I have is the Vara-Ram product. Not worth the money IMO - but I have never had the car dyno'd with or without this item.

(and remember, unless you have your dyno runs done in Nashville, the numbers are bunk anyway....:L)

best regards -

mqqn

 

[Glenn W.]

If you are thinking of changing to the Blackwing, check out the Halltech Stinger first. Comes with the air bridge (and it looks quite a bit bigger 'round than the stock one) and the smooth bellows. They are on eBay and other outlets for about $230 or so for the whole thing.....I've been thinking about getting one. Anyone have experience with the Halltech?

 

[mqqn]

If you are thinking of changing to the Blackwing, check out the Halltech Stinger first. Comes with the air bridge (and it looks quite a bit bigger 'round than the stock one) and the smooth bellows. They are on eBay and other outlets for about $230 or so for the whole thing.....I've been thinking about getting one. Anyone have experience with the Halltech?

Hi Glenn W.

I have the Halltech TRAP system on my Z06 - I have had it for two years or so.

It is very high quality (as compared to the Vara ram specifically) and Jim provided OUTSTANDING customer service to me.

I have the Carbon fiber one - and it has the lower tube to extend the filter out in front of the front cross member. he rest is ery much like the stinger setup.

I love the "four-barrel" like bark from the intake when I put my foot in it - and I do seem to have a little more on top - but this is not dyno proven as yet.

One thing to watch for is when installed, the airbridge can make contact with the underside of he hood, and if not perfectly aligned and pushed all he way onto the throttle body, your airbridge can cause a slight "bowing" of the hood in that location.

The filter is much like the donaldson - pleated gauze that can be cleaned and re-oiled.

I like mine - and I returned a Vara Ram setup when I installed the Halltech.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[Eric]

Hi Glenn W.

I have the Halltech TRAP system on my Z06 - I have had it for two years or so.

It is very high quality (as compared to the Vara ram specifically) and Jim provided OUTSTANDING customer service to me.

I have the Carbon fiber one - and it has the lower tube to extend the filter out in front of the front cross member. he rest is ery much like the stinger setup.

I love the "four-barrel" like bark from the intake when I put my foot in it - and I do seem to have a little more on top - but this is not dyno proven as yet.

One thing to watch for is when installed, the airbridge can make contact with the underside of he hood, and if not perfectly aligned and pushed all he way onto the throttle body, your airbridge can cause a slight "bowing" of the hood in that location.

The filter is much like the donaldson - pleated gauze that can be cleaned and re-oiled.

I like mine - and I returned a Vara Ram setup when I installed the Halltech.

best regards -

mqqn

Dagnabbit! You people and your testimonials are going to drive me into the poorhouse. The Halltech is the other one that I was considering. Heck, maybe I'll get one and try it. If I don't like it, I can do ebay and get a Blackwing, or vice-versa.

Thanks for all of the real world experience!

- Eric

 

[PeterG]

Thanks to all

My thanks to everyone for the thoughtful advice and interesting comments.

This forum sure has a bunch of friendly, helpful people. If only the rest of world worked with so much cooperation and positivity.... (Yes, that is a word. And if not, it still works well.)

Peter

 

[Eric]

If only the rest of world worked with so much cooperation and positivity.... (Yes, that is a word. And if not, it still works well.)

Peter

From Merriam-Webster.com:

Main Entry: pos·i·tiv·i·ty
Pronunciation: "pä-z&-'ti-v&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
1 : the quality or state of being positive
2 : something that is positive