Hrdtop00

I had a Blackwing on my FRC at one time, sold it, and installed a Vararam. I just picked up an '01 coupe to use as a daily driver. It currently has a Blackwing installed. On both cars, with a Blackwing installed, the air duct will not fit down tight against the radiator cover. The result is that the raised C5 emblem on the air duct digs into the hood insulator when closed. Have others had this same experience? Is it just a design issue with Blackwing or have I just been unlucky, twice? Is there a simple way to make the Blackwing fit a little better? It's jammed in as far as it will go now.

hotwheels57

Are you using an over sized air bridge by any chance? Are you using the oem accordian or an after market rigid silicone coupler at the throttle body? Are you using an after market silicone coupler down at the filter assembly?

I'll assume you're using the oem air bridge due to the emblem causing the problem on the hood insulator.

Loosen all of the clamped points and try more lateral adjustments with the air bridge grommets seated correctly onto the radiator cover TORX pegs. Also, make sure the filter assembly is seated on the TORX pegs as well.

Make minute adjustments towards the throttle body and towards the filter assembly with the air bridge and filter seated.

If that doesn't allow the air bridge to seat down better, you might have to trim the (silicone?) couplers a small amount. They're usually a little to long by about 1/4", but measure twice and cut once.

This is a common complaint with the "Blackwing"...some take issue with it, some ignore it.

EVs_C5

just installed a blackwing and have the same problem...tried all i could but felt i would break something if i tried to pull it over the grommets any harder. its in there pretty solid anyway so im not worried abt it

Hrdtop00

I have the OEM air bridge but the smooth silicone coupler at the throttle body. It's in place really tight so I'm not worried about movement. I just want to lower it so it doesn't dig into the hood insulator.

91LSMAN

I had some fitment issues as well. I trimmed the coupler a bit and things just didn't seem right, so I went to my "vette mechanic" and they made a few quick adjustments, replaced a missing rubber grommet and when I left there it was on perfectly, and it's been a couple weeks now with no movement or issues. Good Luck.

catch06

I had the issue, and reinstalled, not sure what I did differently, but do not have the issue now.

hotwheels57

You should be able to trim just a little of the silicone coupler then. I found that the rigid silicone coupler that I originally bought caused this same issue you have.
Even with trimming just 1/4", it allowed the air bridge to seat down closer on the radiator cover. Not perfect, but closer.
Maybe this is why GM used the accordion coupler. It allows for flexibility in all directions.
SLP sells another coupler which allows for more flexibility. It's also silicone, but has a bump in the middle. They cost just over $50, but you can frequently find them on EBAY and occasionally used in the CF classified forum...

Bill Dearborn

I found I could get it lower by just loosening the various screws and taking up all the slack in the joints. Problem I have is everytime I have some work done on the car I have to reset everything as the techs can't seem to get the air cleaner back in the same place I had it.

Bill

MyVetteDream

I didn't have that issue

Hopeit works out for ya

Vetteman Jack

Maybe I just got lucky when I installed the Blackwing on my last C5, but I never had any fitment issues. Not sure what you can do but just try to reinstall and make sure the air bridge fits down a far as it can on the grommets on the top radiator support.

Mike98SilVert

Aligning the airbridge duct can be a challenge so take your time to carefully press the MAF firmly onto the Blackwing and tighten the clamp. This is important so that the grommets at the top of the radiator cover line up so that the airbridge fits like it did with the factory stock airbox. Once you have it all together, put the grommets in the Blackwing. (Using silicon spray on the rubber grommets and frame posts will make the assembly easier.) Next press the entire unit onto the posts in the frame. Then it's just a matter of pressing the airbridge into place and installing the coupler. Works every time.

I have had Blackwings on two of my C5's and never had any fitment issues.





Installation instructions:

http://97vette.com/howto/blackwing/index.html

mrgil

Gents, & Ladies too
I have the same problem with my Halltech Stinger, I've spent the last 3 years dicking with it and have just now come to the conclusion it's not the airbridge it's the Filter..... The filter is too thick and wont lay down far enough on the plastic air dam that deflects the air into the radiator from below.
I don't have a fix yet but maybe someone can come up with a suggestion to somehow make a recess in the air dam for the filter to nestle into, thus lowering the airbridge back down on top of the radiator cover.
What do you think?
mrgil

fireman591

No issues with mine.Just get it snug against the grommets

mellowyellow01vert

Cut the plastic air dam to allow the filter to sit in the cutout, this allows for a better fit, but more importantly, the cut-out allows for cool/fresh air to enter the filter.

dankhts

A bit of a tight fitment issue with mine as well, all I did was to ob-long the holes in the air bridge a bit and it fits flush now.....