I installed the Vortex ram air, carbon fiber air bridge,and coupler on my '97. I ran at the track last night. Guess what I discovered? I didn't gain squat from this set-up from stock. The best I ran last night was 13.40 @ 104 MPH.

My conclusion is that the Vortex is not worth the $. Stock works just as well(and it is already paid for and on the car when you buy it!).

On one of my 2000 Vettes I had a Vortex and on the dyno it gave 12.4 rwhp if I remember correctly, it took about 200 miles of driving to feel and difference.

C5s seem to respond differently to the same mods. I put just the Vortex Rammer (the Bridge is known to be worth nothing HP wise) on my 2000 and there was a huge difference (Seat of pants), felt like a different car. There have been people that have been able to go from low 13s stock down to the 12.6-12.8 area with just this mod. Your car may have some other issue.. air leak or running lean now.

Did you perform the "idle re-learn" procedure?
If not, then your computer is not dealing with the extra air correctly and chances are this is the reason for the negligable change.

A couple other things about cold air intakes:
1. They only work at speed. Meaning on the highway when you have enough pressure under the intake to make a difference.

2. You're not going to get much cold air at the drag strip.

3. the 12.5 hp figure is about right, but it is based on going from completely stock (including filter) to vortex setup. If you had a K&N filter in your car already, then you won't get a huge amount of differece at the strip.

Personally, I got the most change from adding headers to my car. But I'm sure you don't want to hear that .
I would do the relearn procedure and try again. You might be surprised.
Another trick to try is to reset the computer right before your run at the strip by pulling the appropriate fuses (16 and 22 I think but double check to be sure). Your car will run rich until the computer adjusts the fuel trims which will be well after your run.

Good luck!

Chris

u also have to consider track conditions. Was it hotter or more humid this time? there are just so many factors involved with both dyno and 1/4 mile times...

.......hmmmm something wrong or is that only change made to car? Change anything else on car?

I have a 2000 6 speed Coupe and
I installed the Vortex Bridge, coupler, RM Racing
twin flow breather, added MAF ends with air foil
and removed screen, air temp module, coolant
bypass, and 192 thermostat and high flow housing.
I do not know if I had added just the bridge and
coupler what type of change it would have.
But the changes I "Made one h**l of a difference! Even passenger
could automatically tell the difference. Times dropped over 1/2 second.
Most seat of the pants change of any simple bolt ons I have seen"

I originaly put in a Granitelli MAF and removed
it as the car was stronger in this configuration
with MAF ends and Air Foil.

You may need to check for leaks or maybe it may need
a few more changes.

I do have one question for the more informed. Where is the best place to install the air temp
module for best readings?
I installed mine back in same spot as stock just
in front of the coupler.

Also, anybody try the "The Program Unichip" yet?

All I can say is, that was one of my first mods and the dyno results were very good. Back in 99, I remember the SOTP and the dyno was 308 for an auto. Not to bad!

Whichever intake you might choose your not buying twin turbos with nitrous so keep that in mind..

I've never had the votex but I am sure it is an excellent product.

Theres no moving parts..air filter products are pretty basic. The Votex is similiar to the C/R motor sports original version thats also available from the Vette Doctors in Amityville Long Island NY.

If it was good enough to copy..its good enough of a design for at least the usual improvements plus the cool air factor of approximately 3%..

Of course some cars just don't like certain mods..

Don't know why but every once in a while it happens..

Keep the faith..Give it some time and if it still doesn't give you an improvement..

Please know although many have recorded improvements with this product! There are a few quiet internet souls I've met at the track that said..they lost et and trap from this product..

Its rare but it can happen. (fact of life sometimes, not a flame to this fine product)

So my advice..give it some time..maybe do the idle relearn..and enjoy the mod..if you still don't find improvement sell it..

when the 97 came out Rippie did the cut air box,K&N filter and removed the air flow screen and did 12 more HP on the chassis dyno. this costs about $50.

I had a K & N with FRA on my Z-28,worked real nice with flowmaster and 160 Thermo. I think I will do the same to my Vette. How do I get the fog light inserts out? Should I cut out with a hole saw (neat & cheap ) or get the ZO6 style aftermarket ones?
Thanks

OGC5,

I would do both..I'd carefully cut holes in the fog light area..then add the velco'd ZO6 type screen if you like the look.

I think that would be quite effective .

Good luck

JB

i have run full throttle at speed air temp test at my cut out air box with no cutouts at the driving light area and it was always within 5 degrees of the outside temp. i even find bugs in my K&N filter.cold air finds its way into the filter area without the danger of water getting into the engine.

Give computer some time for reset.
Best bang for the $ is air intake on C5.

I agree with 97Silverbullet. There was a long string on the subject of ram effect compression over on the other forum. The conclusion was that the ram effect will not produce any measurable manifold pressure increase below 150 mph. If there were any ram benefits, they certainly wouldn't be evident on a dyno at zero mph .

There appears to be a shift in advertising claims away from ram effect to the benefits of reducing intake air temp. I have a hard time accepting that my Blackwing is sucking air at measurably higher temp than air taken out of the radiator plenum. For my money, it's not worth the risk of hydrolock (not a problem if you don't drive in the rain) . Just my .02 worth.