L695speed

I keep on seeing threads about L69 air cleaners. However I don't understand one thing. I have the stock air cleaner setup witht the functional ram air. I thought this was the only setup you could get. I keep on seeing people refer to a double snorkle setup. Was this a factory option or is it an aftermarket setup? In all the threads previous to this that question was not clearly addressed. If i missed an explanation i apologize for bringing this up again.

Fast355

iTrader: (2)

The TransAms had a different air cleaner setup than the Camaro's did. The Dual snorkel L69 air cleaner you keep hearing about is the Camaro Dual snorkel. Your TransAm should have the single top mount setup, IIRC.

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

FYI:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...leaner-all.jpg

JamesC

L695speed

Ok so it was a camaro only setup to compensate for the lack fo a ram air hood (it seems to) that resulted in the same amount of horses as the TA version of the L69? Or did that setup have more horses?
If it is more horses then why did the TA not get it? and last can I add this onto the TA if i wanted to spend the money for it?

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

No, there's no question of the Camaro "compensating" or "make up horses" or any of that.

The Camaro has regular headlights that are open all the time. That's where the scoops pick up their air. The Firebird doesn't, instead it has those hidden HLs. So the Camaro L69 arrangement won't work on the Firebird. Nowhere for the snorkels to pick their air up from. The hood scoop with that extra mechanical and vacuum contraption was the solution. The TA didn't "get it" (the dual snorkel) because it doesn't work on the TA. And what it DID get, doesn't work as well for power, as the simple snorkels on the Camaro. Hence the HP difference.

So yeah, you could "add" it; it just won't do any good.

The "styling" features of the Firbird caused all sorts of air intake issues over the years. The TPI cars have the same kind of problem; the Camaro's slightly higher hood line allows a far superior air intake tract, which creates lower HP "ratings" for the Firebird variants than the Camaro ones in all the TPI years, as well as the L69 situation.

The car in the pic is a LG4 car with the L69 intake added. Note the shroud for the mechanical fan.

L695speed

Oh ok i didn't really think about it that way. Thanks for the clarification but I would still take a TA over a camaro any day. But i would take a f body over that crappy mustang anyday. Looking at the 1/4 mile times and 0-60 times they seem to be the same being different on conditions and what kind of setup the car has. Ah I will just stick with the single snorkle and the ram air hood.

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

The T/A's rear facing hood as always been more about cooler outside air than ram air.The '82-'83 LU5(CFI)Z28's composite hood had solenoid activated doors for outside air intake into the air cleaner.I'm not sure how much of a ram affect they create though.The headlight buckets seem the more likely spot for more airflow.I'm using an HO snorkel/flex duct for outside air on mine.

84L69TA

That is not at all a "ram air" setup. Your car is just like every other mid-82 to 84 TA. They all have that induction system.

Sofa: The 85-86 L69 Trans Ams had the dual snorkel air cleaner

L695speed

its an old habit of calling it that becase of the older cars from the seventies calling it that. I know its an air induction system but its the same priciple as the shaker hoods so i call it that. I don't know whether i read it someplace and it stuck or it rubbed off from someone. But it is fuctional so i am not complaining The WS6 4th gens are more towards a true ram air as the scoops are facing forward.

85 T/A WS6

The rear facing intakes take advantage of the positive pressure that builds around the end of the hood / base of the windshield.

Recall the "cowl induction" hoods of earlier cars. These works because at speed the base of the windhield is a very high pressure area, as opposed to the middle or even front of the hood, where air flows smoothly OVER all but relatively high air scoops.

Its an old NASCAR trick

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

----------
A friend had an '84 TA with the functional hood, and when he'd get on the gas enough to make the duct open up, the suction and turbulence outside the scoop was strong enough to make lightweight debris, such as leaves, spin around at the scoop.

So that makes me wonder... with the non-functional "power bulge" opened up, would an intake similar to the 4thgen SS with the functional hood, where the air box is mounted up top, in this case close to the opening of the "power bulge," be effective?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

To make the 'power bulge' hood functional with a TPI system, would require extensive plumbing. Any positive effects would likely be cancelled by poor flow characteristics of the ducting.

L695speed

mine has the same effect and its a blast to drive in fact i think you can actually hear the pressure changes. I am usng a 4 barrel carb so the tpi issue is not relevant. I don't think there was a HP difference in the cars because if you look at the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times they are both roughly about the same.

SC/T02

Does anyone have more pictures of the L69 setup on an LG4? I am working on that right now. The heat riser tube on the driver's side exhaust manifold does not line up with the air cleaner at all. And is it only a wing nut on the end that holds the lid down? Right now I am using the LG4 lid. Please send more pics and let me know what else needs done to convert.

Thanks,
Adam

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

The heat riser tube for the L69 is curved(kind of partly S-shaped) to go up from the manifold then over-and-up to its connection on the air cleaner; whereas the LG4/LO3 have a straight tube because the air cleaner connection is directly over the manifold.

That tubing is supposed to be flexible, almost like it's made of foil. But the original tube is prolly so brittle that it would prolly break instead of flex(and your LG4 tube prolly wouldn't be long enough to reach after bending it anyway). You can buy that tubing in lengths, then bend it and cutoff the excess.

hgffrank

you can definitely notice the difference between normal intake and bulge hood intake. When I got my 83 TA it had the bulge hood, but the system wasnt working and wouldnt open at WOT. I fixed it and boy oh boy did it make a difference. I have a vid I can upload from the first time I did a quick run through the gears with the hood working and all you can hear is the intake. Its an awesome sound. Let me see if I can post it for yall. Gotta find it and figure out how to upload vids here, or I may just post a link.

Heres a link to my vid
http://media.putfile.com/83-Trans-Am...ort-of-14-mile

Jproz1167

iTrader: (3)

You can put a dual snorkel on a 84 trans am and also run the cowl induction. Did it on my 84 a long time ago.