DIY Cold Airbox Save $$$$
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,433
Likes: 916
From: CONCORD NC
DIY Cold Airbox Save $$$$
I got so sick of reading about $600 airboxes, that I decided to build one from the OEM stuff. It is almost like GM designed the parts for it. Just pull the airbox off, swap the left/right filter holders (mounting them upside down of the other side), cut 2 holes in the shroud, and voila.
The air filters hang down in the top of the shroud, catching tons of cool air. My accelerometer is dead, so I coulnd't get any before/after testing, but my MAF and air inlets are DEAD COLD after a hot run, and were always quite warm before.
I actually considered buying one of the high $$ intakes, but since none of the vendors here have ever helped my racing efforts, I'd rather help myself.
I was a little rushed today, but once I get an airtight seal, I put it within 90% of any of the aftermarket kits!
The air filters hang down in the top of the shroud, catching tons of cool air. My accelerometer is dead, so I coulnd't get any before/after testing, but my MAF and air inlets are DEAD COLD after a hot run, and were always quite warm before.
I actually considered buying one of the high $$ intakes, but since none of the vendors here have ever helped my racing efforts, I'd rather help myself.
I was a little rushed today, but once I get an airtight seal, I put it within 90% of any of the aftermarket kits!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Originally Posted by davidfarmer
I got so sick of reading about $600 airboxes, that I decided to build one from the OEM stuff. It is almost like GM designed the parts for it. Just pull the airbox off, swap the left/right filter holders (mounting them upside down of the other side), cut 2 holes in the shroud, and voila.
The air filters hang down in the top of the shroud, catching tons of cool air. My accelerometer is dead, so I coulnd't get any before/after testing, but my MAF and air inlets are DEAD COLD after a hot run, and were always quite warm before.
I actually considered buying one of the high $$ intakes, but since none of the vendors here have ever helped my racing efforts, I'd rather help myself.
I was a little rushed today, but once I get an airtight seal, I put it within 90% of any of the aftermarket kits!
The air filters hang down in the top of the shroud, catching tons of cool air. My accelerometer is dead, so I coulnd't get any before/after testing, but my MAF and air inlets are DEAD COLD after a hot run, and were always quite warm before.
I actually considered buying one of the high $$ intakes, but since none of the vendors here have ever helped my racing efforts, I'd rather help myself.
I was a little rushed today, but once I get an airtight seal, I put it within 90% of any of the aftermarket kits!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,404
Likes: 1
From: Just moved back to the "old country"
Originally Posted by davidfarmer
I got so sick of reading about $600 airboxes, that I decided to build one from the OEM stuff. It is almost like GM designed the parts for it. Just pull the airbox off, swap the left/right filter holders (mounting them upside down of the other side), cut 2 holes in the shroud, and voila.
The air filters hang down in the top of the shroud, catching tons of cool air. My accelerometer is dead, so I coulnd't get any before/after testing, but my MAF and air inlets are DEAD COLD after a hot run, and were always quite warm before.
I actually considered buying one of the high $$ intakes, but since none of the vendors here have ever helped my racing efforts, I'd rather help myself.
I was a little rushed today, but once I get an airtight seal, I put it within 90% of any of the aftermarket kits!
The air filters hang down in the top of the shroud, catching tons of cool air. My accelerometer is dead, so I coulnd't get any before/after testing, but my MAF and air inlets are DEAD COLD after a hot run, and were always quite warm before.
I actually considered buying one of the high $$ intakes, but since none of the vendors here have ever helped my racing efforts, I'd rather help myself.
I was a little rushed today, but once I get an airtight seal, I put it within 90% of any of the aftermarket kits!
How about a nice write up with instructions and pics? That would be very much appreciated by a lot of us.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,433
Likes: 916
From: CONCORD NC
It's a work in progress, and I want to clean up my cutting before posting. Just cut of the original shroud, then buy a replacement for later. The shroud needs to be in place to cut properly, anyway.
The only real problem is deciding how you want the filter's to sit. If you drop them all the way down into the shroud, they can actually touch the condenser.
I got mine to a good, working point, and will refine it later. btw, the previous owner had already put gauze-style filters in the car, so I'm just using them.
The only real problem is deciding how you want the filter's to sit. If you drop them all the way down into the shroud, they can actually touch the condenser.
I got mine to a good, working point, and will refine it later. btw, the previous owner had already put gauze-style filters in the car, so I'm just using them.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
Just remember that the stock filters are paper and you are exposing them to water. Paper filters and water don't mix, the paper will either expand and block airflow or worst case the paper will dissolve and allow water, paper from the filter and any foreign matter (sand, gravel, rocks, etc.) to get into the valves and cylinders.
Hydrolock +++.
Hydrolock +++.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,433
Likes: 916
From: CONCORD NC
Like I Said in my follow up, I already had gauze filters in the car.
Here are some shots. I'll clean up my cuts, and build an aluminum shroud to seal off the outer edges. And/or, I'm thinking or trimming the area where the outer parts bolt to the primary, therefore narrowing the entire assembly slightly.
Already, it's working well, and I think with a little work, it will be great. I'm running the long course at VIR next month, and if there are any problems, that is where they would happen (nothing will).
Thanks!
http://www.DavidFarmerRacing.com/
Here are some shots. I'll clean up my cuts, and build an aluminum shroud to seal off the outer edges. And/or, I'm thinking or trimming the area where the outer parts bolt to the primary, therefore narrowing the entire assembly slightly.
Already, it's working well, and I think with a little work, it will be great. I'm running the long course at VIR next month, and if there are any problems, that is where they would happen (nothing will).
Thanks!
http://www.DavidFarmerRacing.com/
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
box
that's pretty friggin sweet!!Good job!Now,what filters will you be using,or will you be keeping the stock ones??Are you worried about water coming up from under??Oh,and what you're doing is flipping the unit (filters)upside down?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,433
Likes: 916
From: CONCORD NC
If I were buying the filters, I would buy GREEN filters. They are excellent quality, using SS mesh, and often have less of the rubbery stuff around the edges, basically giving more exposed surface area (both via more area and more pleats).