Hi all,
I installed an Air Raid "cold" air intake. It's not really cold air since it doesn't get air from outside the shroud, right? What's the best way to get some cool air to the filter without the worry of injesting rain water? Any ideas are appreciated.
Thanks,
Carmen

 

Prop open the radiator shroud. Do a search for Vette air/free cold air mod.

Easy mod. One is using toggles and another is with nuts and washers. The nuts and washer looks neater.

Not sure which engine you have but it is known the the LS3 MAF sensor is very sensitive to turbulent air flow, beware. Slight surging can be evident.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cherokee Nation View Post
How do you Prop the shroud open?.Thanks
Gather parts: 2 pcs 1/4-20 threaded rod about 6" long, 4 pcs 1/4 x 1 fender washer, 8 pcs 1/4-20 hex nut

Prepare the props: Divide the parts to create two assemblies. Put two nuts about 1" to 1 1/2" in on each rod and tighten against each other (jam nut) and add a washer. Put two more nuts on the other end of each rod and run them loosely leaving about an inch space from the first pair and then add a washer.

Open the shroud: Pop the two plastic snap pins out at the bottom front of the shroud. They're equally spaced about 6" from the centerline and attach the shroud to the front vertical metal plate. Pry the center locking pin out about a half inch and then pull the whole pin out. Push the bottom of the shroud toward the radiator.

Install the props: While holding the shroud open, put a rod with the most thread showing (it should be about 3" worth) into the hole where the pins were in the metal plate, then put the short end into the mating hole on the shroud. Repeat on the other side. You should now have both assemblies in place and the shroud propped open about 1"-1 1/2". Now run the frontmost loose nuts toward the front of the car until you get the open space of the shroud where you desire. I'd suggest somewhere in the 2 1/2" to 3" range. When you get the opening desired, spin the remaining loose nut to the front and tighten it, jam nut style, to the other nut.

That's it. It takes longer to read this than to do it. Obviously reverse the process to restore the shroud to the stock location.

Enjoy the newfound power, but also be aware that some of the dirt etc that would have been stuck in your radiator/condenser will now be on your engine. If you are creative enough, you can seal off the upper part (above the air filter) of the opening to stop the dirt and effectively force the air through the filter.

 

I installed VetteAir scoop and constructed a box that closed off the area around Airraid to force cool air into filter. Have driven car from coast to coast, Devils Highway, Dragon, Blue Ridge Parkway etc in all kinds of weather without a problem. 2011 Coupe with headers, Billy Boat PRTs and tune, no surge.

 

I have the VetteAir, and love it, but you could drill or cut some holes in the shroud. Anytime that you mess with the air in front of the intake there is a possibility of turbulences giving the MAF headaches, but nothing a tune would not cure.

 

When I had the vararam installed we were unable to completely tune out the slight surge. It was most felt at a steady throttle and in the lower rpm range say 1500 rpms.

Cruising rpm area which makes the surge annoying. Again for me it was very slight. Nevertheless I pulled the vararam for this and other reasons.

But passengers are hard pressed to feel the slight surge after tuning. The driver with the foot on the throttle it is more evident.

The cut outs at the bottom sides of the shroud could be better in eliminating the possibility of surging but it is a permanent mod, whereas the proper should can be returned back to normal, although I hear distortion of the plastic can be present.

 

I have one of these, they must be tuned for but is cold air lots of it...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/vr...COoaAqWf8P8HAQ

 

I cut this big hole and filled it with this. I use the stock filter and have No surge at all. It seems to be faster now that it has gotten cold outside.

 

Just what are we looking at, the red under the filter?

 

So you just cut a large hole just below w the filter?

 

Since my car is a daily driver I would worry about scooping up a bunch of water if I hit a puddle in the rain. A bit risky no?

 

I made a carbon fiber / Kevlar box to fit down into the hole. The hole was cut to fit the box. It's not really a box but...... let me find a photo.

 

I've had NO issues, It would have to be a real big puddle and sucking water thru the filter I don't think so. I did the same to my camaro years ago and probably 250,000 miles with no issue.

 

Here is a pic before I trimmed it and attached it to the air intake.

 

Thanks for the explanation and pics.

Great effort, looks good and bet it works too.

Do you have the LS3?

Do you work with these materials normally?

 

I also have the vette air scoop with the Halltech with beehive. True cold air that is sealed off from the engine bay. You could buy the vette air scoop and the universal beehive from Halltech and just cut it to fit the airaid. I do like the small rubber air dam shields the Airaid comes with. I had the Airaid with Vette air scoop first and had no issues with surging on the stock tune.

I learned the hard way, bought the less expensive Airaid first. Then bought the Halltech 103 with bee hive since I was doing heads/cam and was going to upgrade my intake manifold and throttle body to 102mm.

-jp

 

Yes I have an LS3 Z51 w/NPP and it works Great.

This was my 2nd attempt at working with carbon fiber and it really is not that hard to work with but my stuff does not "look" like what is produced in the after market. I wanted what I wanted and decided that I would have to make it myself.

 

Thanks for the input jp.

Due to a shortage of cash I went the Airaid route. My plan is to gradually make some modest improvements as funds permit. The rest of the car is a stock base model with the Z51 and NPP options. I'd like to get some cool air and make a couple of other small changes then get it tuned. Minor improvements will be fine for now.

Carmen