Air Cleaner

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 18, 2005 | 07:50 AM

the_lane

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 37

Likes: 0

Air Cleaner

Hi,

After some advise re: Air Cleaners.

My Car (1979, L48) has what I think is the stock setup - a closed aircleaner with a snorkle leading out to the front of the engine.

At most of the shows, I notice most cars have the open style air cleaners (i.e. raised chrome top with the air filter exposed).

So...

Is this a better setup to go with? - if the air filter is exposed over the engine, rather that a snorkle to the front, does that not mean it is taking in hot air? - i.e. would this give lower performance?

Is it better to go with a K&N filter or, stick with the stock paper elements?

Thanks!

(sorry if my terminology is wrong!)

Jul 18, 2005 | 08:08 AM

Pauld

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 2,253

Likes: 1

From: Rochester Kent

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_lane

You are right that cold air is much better, cold/dense air is what you really want. The snorkle setup gets more cold air than an open element.
I went with an open element when I rebuilt my 81 mainly because it looks better and neater

Jul 18, 2005 | 10:10 AM

Star79

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 2,083

Likes: 2

From: Montreal Qc.

Urban legend (which may or may not be correct) says that for every 10*F drop in intake air temp you get a 1% increase in power. How much hotter the air hanging around in your engine compartment is depends on a lot of things though, so who knows what the real temp difference is at any particular time. Like Paul said the open ones look better, plus you may get more power back from them anyway in terms of better flow and unrestricted airstream.

Jul 18, 2005 | 10:26 AM

the_lane

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 37

Likes: 0

Think I will go for it.

Any recommended brand?

Jul 18, 2005 | 10:28 AM

Techno

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 1,469

Likes: 6

From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster

The snorkels are very restrictive so any cold air they do get are canceled by this. If the snorkel is in the engine compartment then its hot air, has to be ducted in front of the radiator for cold.
14" dia. x3" high=132 sq in of open intake... the snorkel is around 9 sq in or so? for a 2.75" narrowest point diameter.

I have the windshield air scoop meant for the sealed air cleaner. But mine isn't, sits inside the scoop so kind of getting cool air and is 360* open element. Air is pressurized at the windshield so the rear facing scoop is actually under pressure. Have my cake and eat too.

K&N is a permanant filter and is supposed to flow better.
The chrome plated stamped steel K&N cover rusted, I replaced it with an edelbrock finned type and it didn't rust-aluminum? It also looks better specialy since my valve covers are finned.

The open element are "supposed" to provide like a 10% hp increase or something like that, I think that depends on a whole lotta things though.

Jul 18, 2005 | 10:39 AM

Pauld

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 2,253

Likes: 1

From: Rochester Kent

Quote:

The snorkels are very restrictive so any cold air they do get are canceled by this. If the snorkel is in the engine compartment then its hot air, has to be ducted in front of the radiator for cold.

On the 81's the cold air is taken from the radiator so this is alot colder than the engine bay. The dual snorkel design is a very good design. I only changed mine to an open element for the looks, looks less clutered.

Jul 18, 2005 | 12:01 PM

lg4vette

Instructor

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 208

Likes: 0

From: West Branch MI

So for those of you not using the snorkel setup, how did you determine what air cleaner would not present clearance issues with the hood profile?
I have the same question for intake/carb setups as well...