Frozer!!!

iTrader: (11)

Recently bought an 85 Z-28, I wanna do some mods to it so im gonna start with the intake and exhaust. Im kinda in a bind though. Ive searched the forums and found that dual snorkels and open element are both good options. My question is, is one better then the other(performancewise)? Also, with the open element, do you need a cowl hood induction or scoop? Thanks in advance

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

People will argue over which is best, no doubt, but the cooler the incoming air the better, I think, which would give the nod to the dual snorkle. If the open element is small enough, say 14 X 2 1/2 or perhaps 14 x 3, the stock hood should close.

JamesC

Frozer!!!

iTrader: (11)

Ok thanks, now would it be ok to keep the stock hood on for an open element or would it be useless bc its just sucking in hot air?

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

Many people run an open element with the stock hood--my guess is that more members do that than anything else. Here's mine, for example (I used to run a dual snorkel on my LG4):

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=314726

JamesC

Frozer!!!

iTrader: (11)

Ok, thanks for your help, im going to go with the open element. Would the best place to buy the filter from and the other stuff be at summit racing? or are there cheaper places?

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

Any parts store--NAPA, CarQuest, Advance, etc.--should be able to set you up faster and cheaper than Summit and Jeg's.

JamesC

Frozer!!!

iTrader: (11)

Ok thanks, one more question, would clearance be an issue if i got a 3 in filter? Or should i just play it safe and get a 2.5 in. Is there that much of an airflow/performance difference between 3in and 2.5in? Thanks

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

You'll probably have to experiement to know for sure about fit. My car has poly motor mounts and as a consequence the motor sits up a bit and the 3 in. won't fit. If you have stock mounts, especially if they've collapsed some, the 3 in may well fit. More flow, the better.

JamesC

Frozer!!!

iTrader: (11)

edit: one more question. will the tech article titled "TBI Open Element Installation" work for my engine, i just wanna double check before i start anything, i was wondering bc it says tbi, and i got a carb

Zrated83

iTrader: (17)

A 3 inch filter will fit under the stock hood. Just make sure its a drop base and you will be good to go. I wouldnt follow the tbi tech article because their installation is a little different. All you really have to do is plug the vacuum line that goes to the stock air cleaner, take off the metal tube that comes out of the drivers side manifold, and then you can put the open element on. I would also get a push-in breather filter to replace the silver breather tube.

Frozer!!!

iTrader: (11)

Excellent, thanks so much for the help

Zrated83

iTrader: (17)

No problem. Its a nice mod, cheap and effective

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

I have an inch drop base on my car, and the 3 in wouldn't work with my hood. If you have some thirdgen buds, you might borrow and experiement some.

JamesC

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Without a doubt, the dual snorkel is better. However, there is one "performance" area where you may not want to compromise - driveability. With a stock carb, an open element will suffer in off-idle throttle applications, which on a cool morning pulling away from a stop sign when you've only got a little wiggle room ahead of that furniture truck coming at you that doesn't have to stop and that's the only break in traffic you've had for the last minute, you may not want to take that gamble. On a hot day is stop-&-go traffic, the hot underhood air can make life miserable.

I'm only saying this because I've been there, done that.

PDubs87Z28

Now i bought a dual snorkel air cleaner but the passenger side snorkel hits this plastic contraption thats on the hose from the intake manifold to the heater core in the firewall. can i get more hose to move it out of the way so i can put my air cleaner on or am i screwed?

Supermann

I would stick to my dual snorkel intake if I could, but my new holley carb hits the base of the air cleaner, and I doubt I can raise the air cleaner to clear it because my intake sits so high as it is. I "borrowed" the air cleaner off of the '69 Stingray in our driveway for the time being, but the size of that air cleaner is unbelievibly small and I doubt its helping out the air flow (and this thing was used on top of a 427! Hard to believe). So is the vent from the valve covers really not that important to have running to the air cleaner?

305q_ta86

iTrader: (1)

You know you can get fiberglass things that go over open element filters of all sizes and they have 1 or 2 3-4" holes in them to connect to a hose (or hoses) to route cold air to the element, right?


My plan is this: I have an open element. I intend to cut the back of the hood, between where it rolls under and goes down to seal with the cowl. Then I want to weld some mesh to the inside of the holes, remove my hood insulation and replace it with some newer, thinner stuff and cut it so air can still get in there, and bam, instand cheap sleeper cowl induction.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Running it to the air cleaner is an emissions thing, to keep crankcase vapors from excaping to the atmosphere. If you don't run it to the air cleaner, put a filtered cap on it. The PCV draws fresh air through that opening, so you want it filtered.