pushrod-v8

I am looking to purchase the now discontinued TPIS Air Force 1 cold air intake for the late model C4 Corvette.

​​​​​​This is the unit that requires the cutting of the air shroud and flips the air filter upside down.

Thanks,

1993C4LT1

Sounds interesting. I've never seen it. Are you talking about AO Forced Air?

Goldcylon

Nope its different

pushrod-v8

Yes it is different, functional, and hard to find.

If I can find a picture or the unit itself I will post a picture.

gman35

I have the A/O forced air... and I combined it with a breathless performance cold air cleaner...

GREGGPENN

Interesting....I didn't know they made a model for late model and ZR1 cars. I bought one many years ago. They were scarce back then. Still on a shelf in my garage. Keep thinking I'll want it if I ever convert to an HSR. Bought it because a local builder claimed something like a whole second improvement. The catch was he was running a 4xx CI build in a dedicated strip car. Of course the stock air box DOES become a restriction if you get serious enough!

-=Jeff=-

The had an Air Force 1 type intake for the later cars, but it was no the same as the piece for the 85-89 cars.

I have one now ( So does Dominic) they are the same idea of the Air force one, but look OEM. I believe that is the same thing TPiS Sold for the 90-96 cars

pushrod-v8

I plan on making some small modifications to make it fit. Do you have any pictures?

GREGGPENN

I will assume you prefer pics of the later model. The earlier model is similar in appearance/config to the OEM unit -- except with the air cleaner flipped upside down. The owner would be required to cut their upper/front radiator shroud. This allows air to travel (more directly) in through the grill and up and into the air filter...then air box. I can see the similarity to the license-plate-fed units that also endeavor to direct air from the grill more directly into the engine. I've never seen dimensions on the later unit so I have no idea of functional differences. The TPIS unit was expensive -- which might have led to it's discontinuation. Of course, the license-plate-fed version was even higher priced. I'm not sure either made a ton of difference for stock engines...which may correlate to their demand. I think it took years before most people realized the stock intake (air box/TB) setup was more than adequate for stock vehicles. Ironically, I think more 52/58mm throttle bodies have been sold over the years -- as an upgrade. In reality, the air box is the bigger restriction....which might be one reason they converted to SD for awhile? By the time they returned to MAF, drop in demand may have killed this segment's aftermarket?

Other differences (of the AF1) include having larger internal passages and being made of fiberglass vs OEM plastic/ABS. You can see an obvious difference looking down the mouth of an OEM vs AF1 air box. The OEM box "necks down" much smaller. IIRC, the OEM air box flows somewhere in the 500-550cfm range? Someone measured it on the 3rd gen board years ago.

-=Jeff=-

gman35

-=Jeff=-

GREGGPENN

Hmmmm....Just looked on my PC and found [what I think are] the original 4Sale pics for the unit I have. I have to wonder if I bought the wrong one (for an L98). First pic shows the AF1 CAI mounted on the seller's Texas car with an LTx engine. Geez....was that a (LTx) retrofit? Seems likely based on the front bumper? Can't be a Z...wrong engine. Dang...It's been too long! FWIW...L98s and LTx cars have different shrouds....I think. Different mounting angle for the fans too IIRC....

I've never CUT the required hole and mounted it on mine. Fairly sure I tried it once years ago....(Probably laid it across the radiator and drove a quick lap around the block(s). That said, I probably need to verify WHICH one I really have! LOL Early or late? This one included relocation mounting for MAP....(which is the sensor you see near the exit. Last pic shows the Air Force 1 next to a stock air box. The difference in cross section is obvious.

-=Jeff=-

GREGGPENN

I think so too. Looks like my 89 Radiator shroud (box) in the pic. That must have been an LTx transplant car. Maybe why he sold it?

Interesting that TPIS made the early version from fiberglass, then used injection-molding to make the later....like OEM.

-=Jeff=-

I believe that to be true, but mine is NOT a TPiS unit, but I have a feeling the later one was like that..

pushrod-v8

Which air box is this?

-=Jeff=-

It was made by Automotive Performance Intl.

pushrod-v8

Do they still make it? I can't find it online.

-=Jeff=-

Company is long gone.. need to find them used..