Clint's C3

My wife wanted me out of the house so she could cook and clean for the holidays. She didn't have to ask me twice. I took off to the garage and fabbed up this cold air intake. Pictures and steps are below. Let me know if you have any questions.

Back of the L-88 hood opened up to a 3" tall opening for air flow.



1 layer of fiberglass and poyester resin applied to the top of a sheet of cardboard , resin and fiberglass from Home Depot. Base plate from 9" air cleaner glassed to bottom.






Clearance to hood checked with modeling clay.



Cardboard cut for sides.


One layer of glass applied to inside of side walls. Tape removed and outside glassed.




About a half a tube of glazing putty used to smooth eveything up.



Round pipe insulation used to seal CAI to hood.

I was going to paint it completely black but a buddy suggested I use red. I went half and half.

Some shots of the finished project.






I ordered a larger air cleaner with a flow through lid and chrome accents. Should look better.

glarior

That is awesome!

lvrpool32

Nice execution.

Maybe a "CHEVROLET" script decal on both sides or maybe just one around the front edge would add a little "finishing" touch. Let me know and I will cut them for you.

Nick

10caipirinhas

Very well done.

I usually rate my garage projects by the amount of beer they take from start to finish. Was this a 6 pack +/- ?

roscobbc

Now thats an excellent job - I like it - may try something simlar myself

glarior

Woud not want it any other way

7T1vette

Nicely done. Just a thought... you could have kept the 'seal' as a single piece by cutting 90 degree notches in it at the back ends of your intake. But your sealing method will work just as well, I'm sure. Let us know how it works and how it affects fuel mileage. Good job.

toddalin

Nice work!

I did up a cardboard template to do something similar on my '64 with a '67 BB hood and an opened front scoop, but never followed through with the fiberglassing. My hat's off to you!

My only problem with doing such a thing is that you really cover the view of the engine, which may be a good or bad thing.

Clint's C3

Thanks everyone.

I am not too proud to copy or listen to a good idea!



I think 45 degree angle cuts to make the round seals match and generate a 90 degree angle would look a lot better. Unfortunately the underside of the hood has a step and the seals have to match. I am still up for suggestions...

Nick,

I will take you up in your Corvette script offer. I’ll send you a PM.

I’m looking forward to seeing if the track time improves. It’s counter intuitive that a reverse facing scoop will force air into the carb but I have a buddy with a 66 Chevy II and his reverse facing scoop took .2 sec off his 1/4 mile time.

I was doing this mostly for function. It's easy to remove and I was planning to take it off for car shows. Since I followed my buddy's suggestion of painting it red, it looks better than I hoped. Now with some Corvette scripts......

I worked on this project off and on for at least 3 days and several 6 packs. I had to wait for the resin and glazing putty to cure between applications, good time to put up the tools and drink beer. I do like working with fiberglass and resin. I don’t like sanding but it’s better than cooking and cleaning.

OURSHARK

That's a great idea, nicely done.
Let us know how it works.

rexx78

Very cool idea. I will be interested to see if it adds performance as well.

bobs77vet

i think it looks really good. i have added the original style dual snorkle factory air cleaner and i agree they are not pretty on the eye but.....at some point its fun to have a change....i still need to get the plastic tubing that connects it all so i cant give you any info on added performance but cool exterior air has to be helpful in a big way....

SPANKY79

this is AWESOME! what a great idea. looks like your 82 is very similar to my 79 under the hood. not sure how you have that much clearance. looks like you are running a performer rpm air gap from what i can tell. i just have a performer and have troubles with clearance. looks great just wanted to know how you got it all in there

Clint's C3

Yes, it's a Performer RPM Air Gap manifold. I installed an L-88 hood for clearance. Prior to that, I had a Performer 2101 that barely fit.

I really like the L-88 hood but I bought it from a company in Canada and had to rework it big time to make it fit. There may be other suppliers of L-88 hoods that fit better.

7t2vette

Looks great! Good job!

7T1vette

Not really counter-intuitive... The windshield is another "air dam" and blocks the airflow; so that causes pressure to build at the junction of hood and windshield. You are making good use of that pressure. Just think...when you 'floor' it, your fuel mileage [at WOT] is better than those that don't have that intake because you are lowering wind resistance at the windshield.

redman76

Great project. I was wanting to try to make CAI to work with my '76 cowl hood . . . was thinking of trying with sheet metal. I never thought about making a fiberglass box. I think I'll give it a try. Nice write up.

Clint's C3

Good explanation! I agree, but when I try to explain the fluid dynamics to some of my friends all I get are dumb looks

Redman,

Give it a try. Cost is ~ $20 in materials. Take your time and I'm sure you will be sucessful. Contact me if any questions.

Buddy1980

I love your fiberglass work. Hope you do not mind if I copy for my 80 road race replica with L-88 hood. I will either make mine like your's or use aluminum.

427Hotrod

Great job! One of the better ones I've seen for sure!

Thanks for posting!


JIM