I took some pictures to help. I read the Ultimate TBI and I want to do the Ultimate. Use the non drop in filter with that cool looking air filter top thing. My concerns are these three things


The first picture I know its a little hard to see I apologize for the iPhone camera. but its a tube coming from the air cleaner housing to the TB its self. I am gonna guess that is the IAT and I can just put that where ever.

The second picture I have no idea what that thing is. but part of it is a metal flex tube going to the exhaust manifold and it looks important.the other part simply extends into the air cleaner housing.

and finally the last picture which travels down into the valve cover. Some sort of vent tube. not quite sure.

Thanks in advance for any input anyone can provide. Have a great weekend!

 

The first picture is the vacuum lines. One of those goes to the thermac (thing in the second picture) and the other goes to the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventillation) valve.

The second picture is teh thermac valve, which closes to let air in from the exhaust manifold (this will be the foil pipe on the side) when its cold. Its thermally regulated and driven by engine vacuum. When you remove the stock air cleaner, you can just plug its vacuum port.

The last picture is the fresh air inlet for the PCV. This goes to a filter in the airbox that takes in fresh air. If you get an open element, you will need to purchase a filter that fits into the valve cover. These can be bought from many autoparts stores.

 

The first one is to the vacuum valve that sends vacuum over to the air cleaner housing motor(pictured in pic 2) that opens a flap allowing hot air to enter through that flex tube you're talking about in pic 2 to assist in warming up the motor. With your new air cleaner in place simply cap off where the hose connects on the TBI and ignore or toss the flex tube. The third pic is the crankcase breather and can be left to vent to air or a universal breather filter attached. Your IAT is in the bottom of the air cleaner housing near the back and will need to be removed from the housing and kept plugged into the harness. Hang it somewhere where it doesn't get too hot and somewhat accurately reflects the intake air temp. Have fun

 

As for the IAT, you can also use one for a 96-02 L31 vortec truck. These are smaller grommet mounted ones. You can simply drill a hole in the bottom of the aircleaner, mount an appropriate sized grommet, and stick the IAT in. This is what I did. All GM IATs, at least up to 2004 or so, have the same temperature coefficients. IOW, they all have the same output.

 

Thanks for all the information. Do you think this assembly would fit then?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/KNN-66-3040/

Its an 14 inches around and 3 inches high. I just wonder if it will be the right size around the TBI unit with out leaving any gaps.

 

If you have a stock hood, you're wasting your money on the filter lid. Sure, they look cool, but since the stock hood will close right on top of it, it won't breathe any better. Your best bet is any open element housing available at any auto parts store, along with a nice filter for it (like a K&N). You can save alot of money - any 14x3 housing will be under $30, and about $40 for a K&N Filter - that's an $80+ savings over ordering that online!

Unless you just have an extra $80 laying around with no better use - but trust me - if you own a 3rd gen you'll find something else to spend it on