I've been surfing this board for some time now and noticed that no one had any experience with the trick flow elbow, so since my stocker was ripped I decided to buy the T.F. I first looked at the vortech and noticed that it had a divider in the middle which probably hurt airflow; and I also noticed that the vortech appeared to be prone to heat soak. After installing my trick flow I not only fixed the ripped elbow, got rid of my "donkey dong" but I also really cleaned up the engine bay. Now when I pop the hood to show my friends, my motor looks a little more trick. Upon driving the car around I noticed that the incoming air charge was louder and that my cai was also louder. SOTP gain, minimal if any. I drove around today in the heat for an hour, came home and popped the hood to see how hot the elbow was. Much to my surprise, the ceramic coating kept the elbow cool. It wasnt too hot to the touch. I know alot of people like the better improved rubber elbow (cant remember the name) but the trick flow is only forty or so bucks more and looks a million times better. Install was easy, and it works with many aftermarket airfoils (prefers slp). Hope this helps

 

I just ordered one of these as well. I'll post some pics up when I put it on my engine this weekend

 

i found it on summit, but it says $89.........whered you get it for $40?


a stupid elbow is not worth $89 to me.

 

Too bad the SLP CAI doesnt work perfectly with all these elbows

 

I currently have the Trick Flow Elbow and it is a very nice peice. But in my opinion it is not worth $89.00. I bought mine to replace the crappy rubber elbow sent with my ATI kit.

 

He was saying it was $40 more for the Trick Flow versus the 1LE elbow.

 

I have both the Vortech and the Trick Flow. I like the Trick Flow much much better! It is sooo much easier to install since it has a grommet for the IAT and mch easier for the vented opti as well. No tapping threads for anything. You guys with the SLP CAI would love the Trick Flow as well since it is like 2 inches shorter than the Vortech piece which people were hacking off to make work. the Trick Flow is bout the same length as the stock elbow...maybe a lil shorter. The trick flow's coating really does keep it cool too.

 

It does look nice but you must remember that even though it has a ceramic coating and it is cool after driving around, it is because all the air flowing through it has asorbed all the heat. Either way, I think it is worth it for the styling of it

 

this is great info at perfect timing! my stock elbow blew to bits in my n2o backfire this past weekend and i was looking at getting eithe the TF or the Vortech for a new one.

here were my thoughts. first, the TF looked kind of flimsy by just looking at the pic. kind of like tin foil or something. at first i liked the Vortech better because it looked more durable and the price was about the same between the two, but now ill have to think a little. i wouldnt think the Vortech would be THAT prone to heat when it's supposed to be the same one they provide for their blower kits??

i agree 80-90 bucks seems high for a stupid elbow, BUT, there really should be no reason to ever have to replace it again, which i couldnt say by just getting another stock or 1LE 'bow. god forbid i ever have another backfire, but if i did, which would hold up better? ive got to say the Vortech just from looking at the pics...




jon

 

 

My elbow arrived Friday, just in time for me to work on my engine.

With my GMPP stainless intake it looks great but it was a TIGHT fit. You will have to twist it a little to get the steel tab on the CAI to drop in while getting the elbow on the TB.

Here's a pic:

http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~promba/Z2...2003-small.jpg

I'll upload a couple more later tonight, but the internet on campus sucks right now...

 

hahahaha

 

hey trax what kind of CAI is that? man that looks schweet!

 

Let me edit my post, I messed that up...

That's the GMPP intake, identical to the SLP model, just stainless steel. It orignally came with the GM F1 package. I got it on e-bay for $75... it was a complete miracle that I ran across it (one of those auctions that has the wrong title). Back in the day they used to cost $300 brand new.

Another thing I forgot to mention about the elbow... It doesn't have the Opti vacuum advance hole... you do have to drill that yourself (but they do supply the rubber grommet).

 

That's an awesome set-up man. Looks nice. I've got my eyes set on one of those, is on my list, but a little further down on priority.
I've got a question for you, I do have a GMPP CAI, and I was wondering about the steel tab on the CAI. Is it coming too short to the slot, or is it just too far out, where you have to work it into the slot?
Thx-Goose