so i have a lot done to my car cam,heads,exhauts ect.. and i realized i never really upgraded the intake to get the best air it can get. right now my filter is sitting on top of my carb where it should be and thats it, i have a open element filter but no ram air hood just a stock 85 firebird hood. Before i restored my car there was a funnel that went from the carb to the front of the car so the intake could receive more air. I never put that piece back on and my intake is running right off the filter should I custom make a funnel to try and ram more air into my car would it be worth it? thanks.

This is kind of hard to explain but if needed i can get pics to better understand thanks.

 

The duct is there to provide cool air to the carb. Underhood air tends to be hot, and therefore less dense, and messes up the carb calibration (primarily an emissions and C.A.F.E. issue). It is also used to provide warm air from around the exhaust manifold when the engine and/or outside air temperature is cold.

It isn't "needed", but it does help the car run a little better, especially when the engine is cold. However, the single snorkel or duct tends to be a restriction to air flow, so dual ducting is usually preferred if you don't go with an open element.

 

Personally i have never worried about it, but since i have been looking into carburated 4th gen i found a cap desighned cold air for 87-95 trucks that could be made to work on a 3rd gen with a carb...

Somthing like this off Ebay..



Hope this might help, good luck.

 

What about the intake manifold? This would make the biggest difference in performance if it hasn't been matched to your heads and cam combo.

 

Factory snorkel systems are restrictive, even the dual snorkel found on L69 HO engines.

This system is NOT restrictive and it works well, if you've got the room:

http://www.ramairbox.com/

However, you will have to modify it to fit around your HEI distributor and perhaps other things up in that vicinity, plus maybe the sensors sticking out the top of the thermostat housing. The shell is made of fiberglass so it's easy to cut and modify with a dremel or small grinder.

 

I have a new eldebrock intake but i was thinking of going with a high rise intake maifold i know that adds almost like 25-40hp instantly, my dads boat gained 50 right away with that, but i would have to have a new hood, but i def did think about that.

 

well that solves both problems.....high rise intake=more power, but needs new hood...new hood=colder air for the carb to suck