Hey guys, i've got a question for ya'll.
I am an amateur car enthusiast and I have been lurking around and reading up at this site for close to a year now trying to gather up some knowledge about f-bodies.Being the owner of an '89 firebird formula, i've been interested in modding and upgrading my car..and last night i installed a Mr. Gasket open element 14' filter.While the car definitely sounded better, i noticed that it lost quite a bit of the "get up and go" torque that it once had with the stock air cleaner. My question is this: should i worry about this problem, or simply take it that i need to make other adjustments? I believe that a suspension and a rear-end upgrade would benefit me greatly, but then again, i'm not sure..just a guess) I would appreciated any help on this. My only other mods include: new exhaust system, 80 series flowmaster, new sparkplugs, K&N filter, cowl hood seal removed.

Thanks,
Chris

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"i see.." said the blind man

 

Although i'm rather new to the scene myself, I can formulate an educated guess as to what you are experiencing. From a stand still your open air element will be sucking in nice and juicy warm air (unless you have a scoop of some sort). Now, warm air, from what I understand, is much less desirable for combustion than cold air. So, your loss of get up and go is probably caused by that, probably. However, once you get going you will probably be benefiting from the much increased air flow of the open air element, but I would probably wait for a more experienced user to reply to your post before making decisions.

 

Although i'm rather new to the scene myself, I can formulate an educated guess as to what you are experiencing. From a stand still your open air element will be sucking in nice and juicy warm air (unless you have a scoop of some sort). Now, warm air, from what I understand, is much less desirable for combustion than cold air. So, your loss of get up and go is probably caused by that, probably. However, once you get going you will probably be benefiting from the much increased air flow of the open air element, but I would probably wait for a more experienced user to reply to your post before making decisions.

 

Taco boy is right both times. Nice hot air from the radiator will signifigantly limit your performance. A tall, dual snorkel will improve the performance, even with the cowl opened (ps- cowl are good heat suckers). If you ever thought of adding a scoop do it! Sealed off nicely with some foam or rubber you will have the best posible induction.

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Colin Finkle
87 Sport Coupe Camaro, 5.0 L V8

 

I recently put an open element on my 86 iroc and I immediatly felt an increase in power. it wasn't much more, but it was noticable. I replaced the k&n and stock air cleaner with it.

 

Thanks guys for the help! Just for the heck of it, i put the air snorkel(not the entire air cleaner) from the factory back onto the car, hoping it would relay some cold air close to the open element.After a little 'round town drive, the car responded rather well to it..picking up a little more torque instantly. I am in the process of ordering the OEM scoop off of the '84 trans am right now and hopefully i can get the air intake that i want thanks again guys.

~Chris

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"i see.." said the blind man