[hawk02]

My concern with this mode is the risk of water intrusion either from driving in the rain or washing the car. Can someone who has done this mod provide an assessment of that risk?

[h018871]

Thx for the pics CDFF

I found this trim tool quite helpful to get the clips to release. I don't use the long ones often, but they do come in handy.
I bought them a long time ago on Amazon, now they're at HF < $20
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...-pc-63639.html

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by hawk02

My concern with this mode is the risk of water intrusion either from driving in the rain or washing the car. Can someone who has done this mod provide an assessment of that risk?

No comments on the potential for water to get sucked into the engine with the blocker removed?

[LT4Greg]

Guess not hawk02! That’s my concern too!

[CDFF]

Originally Posted by hawk02

No comments on the potential for water to get sucked into the engine with the blocker removed?

No way, not under any kinda of normal driving or washing condition. You would have to shove your hose in the grill with the car running.

Even with the blocker removed this car has the least access to ‘fresh air’ that I’ve ever had.

That’s why I posted that picture of one of my other cars and how direct the air came in for that one. Maybe ill try and post some more pictures to illustrate my point...

[Stephen12ZL1]

CDFF is correct...there is still a bit of a turn before the air box. It is truly more of a "snow blocker" as described in earlier posts. GM calls it a shield and I see no reason for it. I also decided to cut the piece instead of removing it entirely. The part attached to the radiator support was annoyingly stubborn and cutting it left a perfect result. Pics are difficult but #1 is the shield through the grille which I never noticed. #2 Shield in place. #3 Piece removed after cut

[hawk02]

Thanks, CDFF and Stephen12ZL1. This is the info I was looking for.

[CDFF]

Here are some pictures comparing 2 650 HP cars’ intakes. One has a very small opening, is pretty indirect to get fresh air and uses a supercharger. The other has dual intakes and has easy access to fresh air. No supercharger required.

[LS3JM]

Hi guys can anyone confirm that SS cars have this also? Looks like a easy mod. Thanks in a advance.

[kwav8r]

Pulled mine out today, took about 20 minutes and half of that was wrestling with three plastic fasteners that actually hold the shield/blocker in place.

I tried using my silicone (plastic?) trim removers but that wasn't very effective.

The best tool by far was the screwdriver type that was mentioned earlier in this thread. I was able to use a six inch version though.

FYI, the "blocker" is very thin plastic - you can cut it with a utility knife very easily.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by kwav8r

Pulled mine out today, took about 20 minutes and half of that was wrestling with three plastic fasteners that actually hold the shield/blocker in place.

I tried using my silicone (plastic?) trim removers but that wasn't very effective.

The best tool by far was the screwdriver type that was mentioned earlier in this thread. I was able to use a six inch version though.

FYI, the "blocker" is very thin plastic - you can cut it with a utility knife very easily.

I also pulled mine out this afternoon. if you're going to do this mod, I agree 100% that you need this tool. A screwdriver is pretty much worthless.

[LT4Greg]

hawk02, did you have a chance to drive it around after you took the blocker out? Does it make a difference? I’m thinking about doing it but not sure if it’s worth the time and effort.

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

hawk02, did you have a chance to drive it around after you took the blocker out? Does it make a difference? I’m thinking about doing it but not sure if it’s worth the time and effort.

I can't see it making any perceptible difference just driving around...Seriously, how could it? I have an assumption it may make more of a difference at higher speeds because of a slight ram air effect.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

hawk02, did you have a chance to drive it around after you took the blocker out? Does it make a difference? I’m thinking about doing it but not sure if it’s worth the time and effort.

I've driven about 30 "spirited" miles since removing the blocker. I've got an m6 so all my comments are in context to that transmission. I have a drop-in green filter in the OEM airbox. Everything else is stock. My Camaro is also not my daily driver so I can somewhat control exposure to the outside elements.

With that said, here are my perceptions after removing the blocker:

1. The car seems to have a little more low-end grunt, especially in second gear. It's not dramatic but perceptible.
2. I haven't seen any difference in boost. I was able to hit 9.7 PSI yesterday measured with my P3 gauge. I've hit that value before with the blocker in place.
3. IATs seem to recover slightly faster after the car is heat soaked or has been sitting at a traffic light. This would make sense since there's a more direct air path.
4. My biggest complaint with the m6 in 6th gen ZL1 is the gear ratio for 6th gear. There's absolutely no power in 6th gear. If you need to make a quick pass on the expressway, you need to downshift to 5th gear otherwise the car will bog. My initial impression with the blocker removed is that the car seems to have a little bit of power in 6th gear. Again, this would make sense because of a "ram-air" effect. I need to do a little more driving to confirm this.

Overall I think removing the blocker makes some subtle performance improvements. Considering the only cost is about an hour of your time, the mod seems to me to be a no brainer. If you live where it snows a lot and your Camaro is your daily driver, it probably isn't a good idea to remove the blocker. The gain isn't worth the risk of getting snow and ice inside your intake.