Firebird_Sadie

I was curious as to whether I could cut some of the metal out of my snorkel air cleaner assembly on my 1989 Camaro RS. It's a 305 TBI. The attached picture shows what I mean.

I would be doing this for increased air flow, like an open element, but it'd still have all the attachments that are normally on it.

Would this work?

thomas1976

Under real driving circomstances, under load you car does run stronger with the the stock air cleaner vs open element (comparing with clean air filters).

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

i hae read the stock cleaner doesnt flow enough air to support 8 cylinders of a 305 at 4500 rpms. i modified my stock one. flow thru top taller filter and a powercharger

thomas1976

Stock governor shifts around 4300-4400rpm, also no point in revving the lo3 with peanut cam over 4300rpm.

I have read and heard the same things, but have tested and compared with two stock lo3 third gens, no real difference until after some tough driving the stocker had more juice. Though I have not tested wenn they are too cool and breath thru the thermac heather.

jbk88sc

I installed an open element on my 88 (305 TBI) it sounds allot better but I am not sure the preformance it all that better. What ever you do, do not cut the factory air cleaner they don't make these anymore plus the way it is made the diry will by-pass the filter. If you want real power install a wynjammer super charger good for 70HP @ the real wheels and cost $2,000.

Best of Luck,
Jack

P.S. Also stay away from the ECK chip upgrades, big waste of money!

Firebird_Sadie

Huh...well, I have one other question. Would it be in my interest to purchase an open element? I've been reading some of the threads on here, but it seems to go both ways.

Some say purchase ones, others say stay away and keep the stock air cleaner.

Icarus 402001

You'll suck in HOT air. That's bad for the engine. Do some type of Cold Air Intake instead.

89junkyardgta

I took a 6X2 inch chunk out of the back of my air cleaner housing on my L03 pickup, then removed the cowl weatherstrip to make a poor mans cowl induction. Along with a K&N, I feel that it did improve performance, however, that is simply by using my "seat of the pants" meter. I don't know if it makes any more power, but I feel that it revs up a little faster. Sounds better anyway. I wouldn't take much more than that out if you drive the vehicle on any cool days, I find on cold days they tend to bog if the incoming air is too cold.

Saabster

iTrader: (2)

Does anyone know where to get a dual inlet circular air cleaner without holes for exhaust manifold heat?

bluers91

You could always flip the lid over to let more air in without cutting the air cleaner.

I have an open element and love it. It sounds better, feels better and there is no doubt it can get more air. You can hear it. They say it sucks in all that hot air, but what you do think the Thermac is doing for you? It ends up connecting your exhaust manifold to your intake anyway heating it up!

thomas1976

It is only cold anough to activate the thermac at startup. Thermac is to help your engine reach operational themperature quicker.

Saabster

iTrader: (2)

I actually tried this and you can't actually do it. The injector stacks stick up too far and get in the way.

Kevman

In my Trans Am I used the vent on my Turbobump hood as my cold air intake.. Aswell as removing the rear seal on the hood.. Lets some cooler air into the engine area..
I have an open element K&N, I love the way the TBI sounds when you stomp it, and that loud sucking noise is going on.

FYRCHKN

The stock TBI air cleaner is JUNK. The only reason I keep it around is so I can slap it back on for inspection every year. The way to go is to get an open element with a 3" filter and ditch the gold ring spacer between the TB and the air cleaner. It costs less than $30 and you don't have to hack up the stock one. All this talk about sucking in hot air=. More air is better. The stocker severely chokes the amount of air coming in. If you're worried about heat then pull the rubber strip on the rear of the hood. I live in central Texas where it is 100*+ most of the time and I have never had any issues running the open element. There is a MAJOR difference in the way the car responds with the open element VS. the stocker. But then again I have a decently built 355 and the stock air cleaner doesn't even flow enough to feed a stock 305.

jbk88sc

all this talk about "hot air" is driving me crazy....this "hot air" does not effect the "LO3" (low output motor) anways. Try putting your hand on top of the stock air cleaner after its been driven, you can't (HOT!!!!!!!!). The open air cleaner lid is only warm to the touch so it has to be cooler....right?

bluers91

I was able to flip the lid in the past somehow by moving the air cleaner stud a bit. It can work.

thomas1976

The open element is just as hot. Best is to monitor the IAT sensor readings to know the intake air temperature.

jbk88sc

Want real power go with a supercharger ($2000) gets you 70HP @ rear wheel...I am looking into now for a winter project

ericjon262

just buy a fullsize TBI or carb truck air filter, it fits under the hood, flows way more air too.

Firebird_Sadie

Alright, I'll look into getting an open element.

Any suggestions? I heard that the Edelbroc 14" by 3" is good. Part number would be appreciated, as the last time I was in, I found one, but it had some attachment that didn't seem like it would fit right on the TBI unit...

FF32

I'm also interested in doing an open element. I see that summit racing has several air cleaner assemblies. I am interested in either the Summit or the Edelbrock air cleaner assemblies. How do I know which one will fit me 92 305 TBI?

bluers91

They are pretty much a standard 14" carb air cleaner. What you should think about is the drop base or not. Some air cleaners you may have to remove the ring on the TBI. I got a drop base Edelbrock one and kept the ring on the TBI. It may rub the stock coil wires.

FF32

According to Summit the Edelbrock dropped base air cleaner is dropped 0.625 inches. Summits brand air cleaner is dropped 1.00 inches. Would the Summit Dropped Air Cleaner have to much drop? The GM Chevrolet dropped air cleaner kit is dropped 1.5 inches, would that be too much?

What I'm looking to know is what would be a good amount of drop, so the filter will not rub on anything?

RU1NER

iTrader: (1)

I heard flats are best but i'm sure there's little to no difference.

FYRCHKN

The flats are the only way to go....ditch the gold ring.

jbk88sc

I purchased my Mr Gasket air cleaner at Advance Autoparts (part number 1480). It is a non-drop base and does not interfer with any wires. What ever you do get a non-drop base and get rid of the factory spacer ring that is used to lift the factory drop base.

Advance Autoparts sell other brands also.

thomas1976

I have tested, and the open element did not better but worse.


Full exhaust, LT1 cam, tuned EBL and CAI will get you 70hp.

To gain 70hp with a SC on a stock LO3, you probably will need full exhaust, tuned EBL and CAI. Though wich SC are you refering to?

jbk88sc

"Wynjammer Superchargers" requires a free flowing exhaust upgrade only, they provided an updated chip with the unit. Cost $1945 + S/H not bad and it can be installed in about 4 hours. I don't have the link but there number is 602-971-5554.

Let me know your thoughts

thomas1976

This may help calculate the hp gains.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...ercharger.html

The stock ECM is a big problem, I dont think theyr updated chip will do wonders. EBL will.

RU1NER

iTrader: (1)

Fanboy lol

HotRodFiend

Thomas. I want to know what your method of testing was

bigreed91

If you want better looks and throttle response, get an open element. Yes the stock one will give you cooler air but most people ain't picky enough to care, i sure don't. You'll be happy with an open element i think.

Jono4820

iTrader: (1)

I drilled 1 1/2" or 2" (can't remember) holes along the unseen back side of my stock snorkel air cleaner. It works great and looks factory.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

i guess thats an option. but is it possible that could create turbulence to negatively affect the airflow? I dont know. Probably not.

I went open element with my cowl hood and i love the amount of suck it has.

maro3rdgen

sorry to intrude on your message. but i actually installed an open air element today and now while in drive the car kinda lurches forward and just keeps revving up. Can anyone help me on whats causing it to do that. it ran 100% fine before i installed it

Ron U.S.M.C.

For the "OP" and his idea,its interesting and to each there own but I would just do the open element because once the holes are cut it defeats the stock units ability to "suck" air from the front of the breather hose. Here's a 14”x3” open element with “Summit Racing “Power Lid” using a 2” Goodmark steel cowl hood to direct a nice steady stream of cool air pulling from the cowl. Its a drop base with the ring and a 1/2” spacer to keep it off the linkage. Instantly helped with throttle response, I also love the sound of the air pulling through the element,and can actually feel it pulling air through the cowl vent. The tone of the exhaust even sounds better . Also during the summer months I remove the hood cowl weather striping allowing hot air to escape.

Ron U.S.M.C.

Any hoses that were taken off of the TBI unit must be plugged off. That should only be one nipple on the front.You can see it in the third photo above with a little black cap.
Also here's a photo of the chrome air breather for the PCV system that was installed after removing the stock unit.

Donnie(91rs)G

Question here, new to the site so not sure where to post this but here goes, i have a 91 rs with the tbi, I'm anting to get rid of that factory p.o.s air intake system ontop the the trottle body and replace it with a plenum that sits right ontop of the throttle body for a little more power, but heres my question, there is a sensor on the back of my factory air cleaner housing what happens if thats not hooked up? because theres no place in this plenum for it to be plugged in and im not keeping this factory air cleaner on please help!!!!!

Ron U.S.M.C.

Dose it look like this ?Its a IAT sensor (Intake incoming air temperature sensor.)
If so I was lucky and there was a place to punch out a ring on the base of the new open air element and push it in.
I have heard of it just being secured to a few wires on the firewall and left alone.

Donnie(91rs)G

Yes thats it, I'm buying a intake plenum from napa or ebay, and custom making my own cold air intake but placing the filter right where the serp belt is so it catches air from my aftermarket electronic fan, heard it pulls in more air that way, although it might be warmer air. hope it runs right. or what kind of air cleaner will i see the biggest power gain? and my next install is headers, whats the easiest way to put those on?

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

is the throttle cable somehow getting snagged and being held open somewhat on the air cleaner?

still love the car. woudl love to see you make the Nor Cal thirdgen.org santa cruz cruise this year.....I have a 10 inch air cleaner that is 6.5 inches tall that sticks up into my cowl it sucks a lot of air feeds my 350 quite well.

LedZep

iTrader: (22)

Here is what I did for my open element:

Donnie(91rs)G

Anyone Have any pics of their custom cold air intakes? i need ideas

LedZep

iTrader: (22)

Here is what a user who is giving me advice in my intake thread did for a custom cold air intake. Personally I would have made it go to the wheel well and cut a hole and removed the smog pump or relocated the battery.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...l-diy-tbi.html


The easiest way to do it is to get the functional power bulge hood air box (if you can find one undamaged), like I am running. Pics can be seen here: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...ion-305-a.html

1991sleeper

iTrader: (-3)

Here ya go I just did this last week there is a thread I started called "custom TBI CAI"

Donnie(91rs)G

What did you do about the sensor that was in the back of the stock air cleaner? And where did you get the parts? That's about the same thing I was wanting to do

1991sleeper

iTrader: (-3)

I drilled a hole in the carb hat to insert IAT sensor .. Search custom TBI CAI that thread has a list of parts and instructions