Hey guys and gals, I have the original dual snorkel air cleaner on my 73, just replaced my paper air filter with a high flow K&N filter.
What I'm wondering is A) is the dual snorkel,stock set up the way to go or is there something better out there? And B) what are the advantages to a " higher end" air filter.
I'm leaning towards keeping the dual snorkel set up as everything on the car is stock but if there is a performance advantage to changing it up a bit I'm open to change.
Thanks

 

Do a Forum Search on this. I think you will find hundreds of posts, and some recent and very good "home designs".

 

Dual snorkel on a 73? I thought dual wasnt added until 78? Or maybe that was the cold air induction tubing added to the snorkels? I'm confused.

 

Run your K&N as you would, keep stock air cleaner.
K&N states better air flow, so should be good...done

 

I've got two '74s with OEM air cleaners and they both have dual inlet snorkels, for want of a better word, about five inches long, on the front of the AC, about 100 degrees apart. They're steel and possible soldered to the AC base. No flexible tubing anywhere.

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

 

Yes keep the stock air cleaner with the K&N filter.

 

I think the late 70's early 80's stock air cleaners are one of the best setups you'll find on carbureted car, save the L-88 hood setups.

But I've definitely seen some nice ideas on the forum these days.

 

Thanks everyone

 

A lot of people like to put an open element air cleaner, under the hood of 73 and later Corvettes. It always struck me as being counter productive, as Chevrolet spent a lot of time and effort, to develop fresh air (ram air) systems for these cars.

It's well known that engines run better, when fed cool air. So why would you want to remove the factory cold air system, with an open element air cleaner, that only took in heated under hood air? This is especially true with the emission controlled engines of the mid and late 70's, which run much hotter.

My opinion is, if you want the best performance, stick with the stock air cleaner. Go with the chrome aftermarket open element air cleaner, if your more interested in having a racy looking engine.

The more air you can get to your engine, the better it will run. Most aftermarket filters, such as the K&N, are designed to flow more air, than the stock type elements.

Mid way through 1970, Chevrolet started using closed element "dual snorkel" air cleaners on Corvettes, to meet noise restrictions.

The 70-72 Corvette used a dual snorkel air cleaner, with a chrome lid.

73-75 used a dual snorkel that had a open top and rubber seal, that mated with a hood ram air system.

76-80 L-48 Corvettes used a single snorkel air cleaner, with a hose feeding air from a duct mounted on top of the radiator.

78-80 L-82 Corvettes, and all 81's, used a dual snorkel air cleaner, with the radiator mounted duct and a second one mounted to the right inner fender skirt.

 

QUOTE=gbvette62;1582984443]

73-75 used a dual snorkel that had a open top and rubber seal, that mated with a hood ram air system.

Yes , mine is the dual snorkel with the rubber seal mating to the hood , seal is brand new and i really like the stock look to it. Question , you say it had an "open top" , not exactly sure what you mean by that , mine has a black (which i am assuming is stock) lid on it which i'm thinking of changing to chrome just to dress it up a bit.
Hope i didn't mis understand what you were saying , thanks again for the replies

 

Yes.

Not really.

Marginal for a daily driver.

 

I believe a comparison is being made to the later "closed" top.

 

What I meant was that the 73-75 air cleaner lid, is only the size of the filter itself, instead of the diameter of the entire air cleaner. With the lid on, the sides of the filter still remain exposed, allowing air from the hood opening, to be drawn into the carburetor. The 70-72 and 76-81 air cleaners are completely closed on top, and air can only be drawn in through the snorkels.

As I was typing that, I thought it might be a little confusing, but wasn't sure how else to explain the air cleaner's appearance.

 

A pic may help.



Cowl induction.

 

And to complete the dual snorkel parade
Pre-73 HAI (hot air intake)


Mooser

 

Sometimes I dream of a BB....

 

Sometimes I dream of a vert

 

Good come-back. So why have I just re-furbished a hardtop for my convertible? She likes the top down. The Wife thinks I am a little...off in my thinking. My answer...because I wanted one. That does not really make sense but she puts up with me.

 

Nope, makes total sense to me.

 

Thanks again for all the replies , gbvett great explanation. Thanks