C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Cut Air Lid?

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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 07:53 PM
  #1  
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Default Cut Air Lid?

Anyone have a pic of thier stock air lid cut?

Thinking of doing this but the directions from the tech site are pretty vague and dont have any pics.
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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 08:43 PM
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Sorry, no pics.

The air filter cover is a pretty straight-forward job.

It is made of aluminum. Because of this, I recommend
leaving a vertical rib section in the middle for added
stiffness. For the same reason, cut the openings
inboard a bit from the bends for the sides. This way
the cover will be sure to seal the filter to the airbox
along the top and bottom edges.

With the necessary fine-tooth blades, a hacksaw or
jig saw can trim out the sections in sort order. Look
for blades marked 'Aluminum' or 'Metal' and with teeth
counts of 17, 18 per inch ('Fine').

Use some 2" masking tape to create a surface to draw
on and then lay out the openings with a pencil and a
straight edge.

Drill holes inboard of the corners to start and end the
cuts. For a hacksaw, drill two holes in succession.
Go slow to prevent tweaking the soft material.

Cut along the lines, finish the edges with a file or
emery cloth. Remove the masking tape and install.

.

Last edited by Slalom4me; Oct 6, 2005 at 08:48 PM.
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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 08:52 PM
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Or you can just buy one already done.
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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by vinnies87
Or you can just buy one already done.
True enough and a valid option for some.

I think the pre-cut ones are $50+. If you aren't concerned about
cutting the stock lid, the work to DIY is next to nothing and if you
have a drill and a hacksaw, the cost is basically nil. If not, then
buying a pre-cut might make more sense.

I bought a 2nd OEM one to cut up so I can save the original one for
the day that C4 prices rocket.

.
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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 09:37 PM
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I bought my from Ecklers. But I would think it would easy enough to cut out yourself if you had the tools. Here is a link to the one from Eckler so you can see, it cuts it very wide leaving only about 1/4'' at the the top edge.

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...LNQE47QET3CHTF
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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 10:24 PM
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how about not wasting your time or money. i did it, and am back to the stock cover. why? no SOTP difference.

best deal? save about $3-5k and buy yourself a set of complimentary mods - heads, cam & LT headers - and feel it for real

Last edited by Red Tornado; Oct 6, 2005 at 10:27 PM.
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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Slalom4me

I bought a 2nd OEM one to cut up so I can save the original one for
the day that C4 prices rocket.

.

"Slalom4me": Wake me up when that happens

I'd cut up the original, free modification this way, and gives you a chance to get real "personal" with your Vette. Save the $50 and spend it on a K&N air filter.

BTW: The cut air lid is only the beginnig It gets more expensive from there! Have FUN with it whatever you do!!!!
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 07:46 AM
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I'm with Brad, the cut lid on an otherwise stock LT1 makes absolutely no difference whatsoever except that your filter gets dirtier quicker.

If you are just looking to kill time, it can be cut with a hacksaw in about 5 minutes.

I tried a Dremel, but I didn't have the proper cut off wheels, and kept breaking them. So I grabbed the nearest hacksaw and it cut through it like butter.
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 10:11 AM
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http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...LNQE47QET3CHTF[/QUOTE]


WOW!! They cut the hell out of that thing.... Ive got all the tools, and this would be the cheapest mod Ive done yet.... Cam, headers, head gaskets, & flowmaster catback...
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 10:21 AM
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Whatever you do, DO NOT buy the plastic pre-cut lid.

I got one of those from Mid America, and it was so flexy it wouldn't even stay attached to the air cleaner base. Waste of money.
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by NASCAR314
"Slalom4me": Wake me up when that happens
I was pretty sure this would give someone a chuckle. The prospects
of sky high C4 prices do seem bleak at the moment.

Actually, I trimmed the retention shoulders on the lid bolts with an
Xacto knife just enough to let these pop out of their tabs. I install
the cut lid and a cleanish filter when I go to an event and reinstall
the OEM lid and the daily filter afterwards.

Incidently, I pulled the MAF screens using the tip about working a
box knife carefully around the circumference of the joint until the
screen collars come loose. I remove and replace the screens at the
same time as I do the lid.

Yes, I know what you are thinking.

.
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 11:24 AM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
I'm with Brad, the cut lid on an otherwise stock LT1 makes
absolutely no difference whatsoever except that your filter gets dirtier
quicker.
Oops.

I've read that cutting the lid only makes a difference for the L98.
I looked at the year but thought that the changeover to the LT1
occured in '93.

.
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 01:25 PM
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LT1 conversion was in '92.
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 02:00 PM
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I'd say, if you're gonna cut it yourself, get creative and cut the shape of the c4 logo into your air cleaner cover. May not be as much surface area as a straight rectangle cut, but it'll add a nice bit of style to your car you couldn't get from elsewhere!
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by flaagan
I'd say, if you're gonna cut it yourself, get creative and cut the shape of the c4 logo into your air cleaner cover. May not be as much surface area as a straight rectangle cut, but it'll add a nice bit of style to your car you couldn't get from elsewhere!
Good idea. May give that a shot.
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by NASCAR314
"Slalom4me": Wake me up when that happens

I'd cut up the original, free modification this way, and gives you a chance to get real "personal" with your Vette. Save the $50 and spend it on a K&N air filter.

BTW: The cut air lid is only the beginnig It gets more expensive from there! Have FUN with it whatever you do!!!!
You obviously didn't watch Barrett-Jackson last night. An '86 Malcom Konner special ed C4 went for 200k!!!!!

Anyway, I just have the stock lid and a stock paper filter. I'm leaving it be. If anything , after I did heads, cam, and LT's then I would get one of those "ram air" ones, if that even works, I doubt it.
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by ian1992red
LT1 conversion was in '92.
How are your mods coming along? Did you get it back together yet?



Mike
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Old Oct 8, 2005 | 01:22 PM
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Got the cam in the other day, gonna install today, still waiting for some gaskets and misc. to come in...
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Old Oct 8, 2005 | 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by ian1992red
Got the cam in the other day, gonna install today, still waiting for some gaskets and misc. to come in...

I hope your luck improves on the reinstall!!!

Mike
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