Missing Snorkels
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Missing Snorkels
Hi all, I bought a 79 L48 vette and being vette newbie just noticed that both snorkels are missing. I have a factory air filter with the 2 ports but the flex tubes and hard plastic snorkels have been removed. Would a simple open air filter be better or should I replace the original equipment. I'm guessing what I have now is restricting my intake.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The purpose of the snorkel system was to bring cool air in over the radiator to the carburetor. I'm guessing that if a PO removed the snorkels and flex ducts, he/she also removed the air box along the top of the radiator.
Post a Want To Buy here or search eBay. You may be able to collect the parts you need.
Post a Want To Buy here or search eBay. You may be able to collect the parts you need.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Thanks for fast reply. I've checked around and it would be like 150 to replace all 4 pieces (2 flex tubes and both plastic snorkels) I could buy a nice normal filter for much less. Or I could just leave it as is if its not that big of a deal. I just want good air flow and I'm not sure I'm getting it with what I have now.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
corvettes had a open element for over a decade, then they went to snorkels, sometimes they used both. the difference between the 2 is negligible unless you are trying to get that extra 1 or 2 horsepower. if you want originality, spend the money, else do nothing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
they only went to snorkels to keep the sound level of the intake down. the cold air stuff was added in later years to get back some of the lost power. either use the whole setup, or an open style air cleaner.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
There are several on the used market for less and you can still get the flex ducting from many vendors. I like the idea of having cool air ducted to my carb (I have an 80) and it seems to help a little overall after using it and then trying a 14" open element type, especially on a hot day around town. The L-82 dual duct system will retro-fit to your L-48.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
I searched for an after-market cold air intake to fit my '80, but came up empty. Talking to some of the guys here... bottom line is the original dual snorkel set-up is the best one that will fit under the Corvette hood. The difference in performance between an open 360 air filter sucking hot air inside the engine compartment and the dual snorkel cold air intake is negligible ay best. But I'd venture a guess that the dual snorkel is slightly better, that's one of the reasons why Chevrolet went to it. It does help. I had a 360 air filter in my car when I bought it, I've since replaced it with the original factory set-up.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Plus, being the idiot that I am sometimes, I forget that both the L-48 and L-82 used the dual snorkle/ducted setup in 1980. Duh... My L-48 came with it.
Last edited by CaseyJones; May 27, 2014 at 12:18 PM.
