Air filter question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 884
Likes: 84
From: New Boston, NH
Air filter question
Is there any benefit to using an open air filter vs the factory dual snorkel air filter assembly? On one hand I can see the open filter allowing the engine to breathe a little better. On the other hand though, isn't the dual snorkel supposed to allow more cool air to enter the intake? Which would be beneficial.
I ask because I am trying to decide which way I will go. The engine has been modified (aluminum intake and heads) so I'm not concerned with originality. Just want to go with what will work the best.
Thanks for any replies.
Bryan
I ask because I am trying to decide which way I will go. The engine has been modified (aluminum intake and heads) so I'm not concerned with originality. Just want to go with what will work the best.
Thanks for any replies.
Bryan
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,502
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
Good points either way . . .frankly, I wouldn't think there would be much difference at all from a performance perspective- -
The aftermarket stuff might let you dress up the engine bay a bit if you wanted to use chrome valve covers, air cleaner, etc . . .
The aftermarket stuff might let you dress up the engine bay a bit if you wanted to use chrome valve covers, air cleaner, etc . . .
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 884
Likes: 84
From: New Boston, NH
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 884
Likes: 84
From: New Boston, NH
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Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The over the radiator stock induction used on later C3s worked pretty well in its day.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 884
Likes: 84
From: New Boston, NH
So I guess the general consensus then is that the open air filter assemblies don't add any value, other than a little bling. That being the case, I think I'll stay with the stock and save the money.
Thanks to all for the replies.
Bryan
Thanks to all for the replies.
Bryan
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,756
Likes: 2,589
Depends on your hood clearance, with an open element you can fit a taller filter and have less restriction to incoming air which may outway any difference in temperature. I have an older copy of this book where Holley tested the effect of element height using a 14" diameter filter.
http://www.amazon.com/Holley-Carbure.../dp/1884089283
http://www.amazon.com/Holley-Carbure.../dp/1884089283
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 27
From: Eastern North Carolina
I changed to a open element about a year ago, to be honest if there are performance gains with the dual snorkel unit because of cooler air I doubt you will notice the difference whats so ever. You might notice a little better gas mileage.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Let me put it to you this way...
If you have a 'relatively' stock engine and a stock Corvette air cleaner, it will perform just as well as if the air cleaner had an 'open' filter, but still gobbled up engine compartment air. and
If you ran some fresh air ducts onto your 'relatively' stock engine with stock air cleaner, your car would perform nearly identically to one which had an open air cleaner element with cold air induction.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it...
Moral: Spending Big Buck$ for air cleaner intakes, filter elements, etc., etc. is nearly a total waste of money. Could you gain a horsepower or two by spending $200 on super-duper filter stuff? Maybe. But, there are other things you can do to increase HP 20+ for FREE.
You should start there.
If you have a 'relatively' stock engine and a stock Corvette air cleaner, it will perform just as well as if the air cleaner had an 'open' filter, but still gobbled up engine compartment air. and
If you ran some fresh air ducts onto your 'relatively' stock engine with stock air cleaner, your car would perform nearly identically to one which had an open air cleaner element with cold air induction.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it...
Moral: Spending Big Buck$ for air cleaner intakes, filter elements, etc., etc. is nearly a total waste of money. Could you gain a horsepower or two by spending $200 on super-duper filter stuff? Maybe. But, there are other things you can do to increase HP 20+ for FREE.
You should start there.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Sep 7, 2012 at 11:28 PM.
