When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
CarburetorsCarb discussion and questions. Upgrading your Third Gen's carburetor, swapping TBI to carburetor, or TPI to carburetor? Need LG4 or H.O. info? Post it here.
In years gone by there were after market vendors who had sourced and offered the flexible ducts on the L69 dual snorkel air cleaner.
I have a really nice air cleaner and also have the "headlight" tips in near mint condition but my flexible ducts have seen better days.. Does anyone source them? Any suggestions for other options?
Nope... Ebay for NOS sets (500-100$$) I have been searching for a long time.
Every part number I find has been discontinued and not replaced.
I have seen ones made with dryer vent hose and wrapped in hockey tape that look 99%.
That is the way I will be going in the spring.
$75!! Crazy!
I paid $25 at a wrecker for the Air Cleaner assembly in the late 90's
I wonder if I could make something on the 3D printer at work?
I really like how the LG4/TBI duct works, way stronger and last way longer.
Are you saying that $75 was a good price or a bad price?
I was pretty happy with it and likely would have paid more.
Not at all, I knew as soon as I posted that it would be taken the wrong way. I learned long ago if someone is willing to pay it, it is a fair price.
I was just noting how dear these bits have become given that not 10 years ago they could be had for about $15. For anyone who wants to pay more there is a guy on ebay with a set of 2 ducts and two tips "MIB" for almost $800. I paid less than that for a freshly rebuilt 4 Bolt 350 with Vortech heads.
I love my car and I love the L69 CAI system, just not that much.
I still have the composite hood and aluminum front crash bar on my car too... I wonder if they are worth their weight in gold too?
Didn't the late 70s vettes have the same air cleaner?Maybe the ducting is the same too.
I still have a mint set tucked away, hate to get rid of it, even if I cant use it anymore.
Realize for the last 25+ years I've been playing in the world of 68-72 GTO's & 67-79 TA's/Formulas/Firebirds so to get an important underhood piece that seems to be made of unobtainium for less than $100 is a gift in my eyes. Any idea what the hairy hose for a 73/4 super duty air cleaner goes for??? I've bought cars for less, many cars!
Mine has the composite hood, haven't checked on the aluminum crash bar - should it be there?
The aftermarket place that supplies some Jeep places with parts (Royal?) has no info on the sizes of theirs.
I haven't been able to substantiate anything from Std. Motor Parts is the right size; many nos. are discontinued.
C3 Vette are too short IIRC. There are others to look at, but the L69 ducts are different inlet/exit sizes.
With a shaper, steel banding, self-bonding tape / adhesive, they are probably not bad to duplicate, but after having put a few hours into these and not finding any, $ 75 is a deal.
Realize for the last 25+ years I've been playing in the world of 68-72 GTO's & 67-79 TA's/Formulas/Firebirds so to get an important underhood piece that seems to be made of unobtainium for less than $100 is a gift in my eyes. Any idea what the hairy hose for a 73/4 super duty air cleaner goes for??? I've bought cars for less, many cars!
Mine has the composite hood, haven't checked on the aluminum crash bar - should it be there?
Depends. GM was experimenting with lightweight body and bumper parts during most of the 80's. Aluminum crash bars are common (but not exclusive) on 1982 cars, less common on 1983's (left over parts) and I've never seen one on a 1984 or newer (not counting creative people who have swapped one in)
Similar debate on composite hoods. ALL 1982 and 83 Z28's had them. Then there was a problem (and recall) where the hoods would de-laminate and lots were swapped out (and destroyed) by dealers and most 1984 cars came with steel hoods, though again I have seen composite hoods on 1984 Zee's in yards that sure looked original too. My hood was swapped out by the dealer in 1985. I found and rescued a composite one at a local yard in the mid 90's for $50. It is mounted like a trophy on the wall of my garage. So my car has both a steel and plastic hood.
Very much like the Aluminum Drum brakes. IMO there is no way to argue that Aluminum Drum brakes on any drum brake Camaro didn't come that way... There just doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why they are there. I've found them in yards under every kind of Camaro/Firebird from every thirdgen year (and G-bodies and S10's too)
A company called AIS list the hoses and reproduction ducts at ramairbox.com the ducts are repro and made of fiberglass I believe. Has anyone tried their hoses?
A company called AIS list the hoses and reproduction ducts at ramairbox.com the ducts are repro and made of fiberglass I believe. Has anyone tried their hoses?
I just emailed the ram air (AIS) company and they have disconnected that part
A company called AIS list the hoses and reproduction ducts at ramairbox.com the ducts are repro and made of fiberglass I believe. Has anyone tried their hoses?
My post about parts from them:
Originally Posted by jmd
R A B was helpful and let me know all options listed (in their 2014 price list I reviewed on their site) that would fit are sold out.Too bad the "almost" options are too short.
I found an option that while not perfect, looks almost stock and most important fits
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CARBURETOR-AIR-DUCTS-GM-OVAL-ROUND-6-1-8x2-11-16-OVAL-4-9-16-ROUND-x-15-3-4/401077355094?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140602152332%26meid%3D99b75d277294439b9a24936d5f40a712%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D401058824877
This guy on ebay has a few boxes of these left (for sure enough for 3 cars).
On a lark I bought one and it fit, so I bought the other.
They are slightly shorter than stock 15 3/4" vs 16" , but they reach. The OE ones have more metal ribs and less rubber between.
So if only need one then it will look funny, but if (like most) you need two, at this price it is worth it.
Oh, the vendor reports that these fit 1980 ram air Turbo Trans AMs they fit the L69 too.
They are a little tight at the air cleaner and a little loose at the fender tip. For a driver they work, not necessarily for a show-car
Yes Cam locks on the ends, just like stock. As others have reported fewer ribs, but they fit and look OK'ish
The Ebay'er has had these in stock for a while and likely has no idea how much he could get for them.
Oh and the manufacure that made them is no longer in business so like the OE ones... Once the are gone, they are gone.
I worked on one for few minutes. It's relatively easy to form the round 3/4 length of the duct to the correct oval shape. I'll form them into shape after I get the car out for the season. Then may sell to someone in need. My originals are fine.
Looks like they are all sold out now... Let see if he lists some more next Monday... When I talked with him he had a limited number of NOS from a manufacture who was out of business. He told me that he thought he had 8 or 9 before I got two... Looks like the other 6 are gone now too...
The after market should note the demand for these... These "close, but need work to make fit" sold out in little more than a week.
I'm sure price had a lot to do with that too. When you are "lucky" to find a used one in usable condition for $75 plus shipping, a new one that's close for $22 is a gift.
I'm sure price had a lot to do with that too. When you are "lucky" to find a used one in usable condition for $75 plus shipping, a new one that's close for $22 is a gift.
There is a lot of truth to that, After I got mine, and discovered they actually worked I was going to email him and let him know what a cool, rare and desirable thing he had... But then I thought I got mine pair for $44... some members here should have the same chance...
Based on my measurement of the Air Cleaner and the Tips
There is NO WAY that the item they list as a fit for 84-88 will work.
That is either for the TBI motors, the LG4 Motors, both, maybe the L69 that they use in the G bodies or something else again.
The opening at the Air Cleaner is 6 1/8" x 2" That 19" long duct is not big enough in diameter to work.
I would measure the opening size and see if you find the ducting on the internet. I am sure it is used for something else as well.
That's how I found these.
First off the Air cleaner opening and the tips are different sizes and they are different diameters... by about 2" difference in fact. I have all of the measurement on my laptop I'll post those later... EDIT... The circumference of the air cleaner opening is 14 3/4" the opening at the tips is 12 1/8" (that is equivalent to a 3 7/8" circular pipe! at the tips and and 4 5/8" in diameter at the air cleaner!)
If the duct isn't "tapered" its not going to work. Next the opening at the Air Cleaner is big! Really BIG... about 6 1/8" by 2" not many cars had snorkels that large... some corvettes, the turbo trans Am (Second Gen) and the L69... I have not found another with that large of a snorkel (from any manufacture). The tips are big too. while they are oval, if the were an equivalent circle they would be about 3 7/8" in diameter. MASSIVE. On a little 305 these are way over engineered. More look than function. But hey they look REALLY cool. That's why for a third gen with a carburetor (or even a TBI) these are the must have intake and people will pay over $400 for a complete OE set up in OK shape and almost $1000 for a perfect set.
Heaven only know why the restoration and aftermarket firms haven't noticed this. There is a HUGE demand for these parts.
First off the Air cleaner opening and the tips are different sizes and they are different diameters... by about 2" difference in fact. I have all of the measurement on my laptop I'll post those later... EDIT... The circumference of the air cleaner opening is 14 3/4" the opening at the tips is 12 1/8" (that is equivalent to a 3 7/8" circular pipe! at the tips and and 4 5/8" in diameter at the air cleaner!)
If the duct isn't "tapered" its not going to work. Next the opening at the Air Cleaner is big! Really BIG... about 6 1/8" by 2" not many cars had snorkels that large... some corvettes, the turbo trans Am (Second Gen) and the L69... I have not found another with that large of a snorkel (from any manufacture). The tips are big too. while they are oval, if the were an equivalent circle they would be about 3 7/8" in diameter. MASSIVE. On a little 305 these are way over engineered. More look than function. But hey they look REALLY cool. That's why for a third gen with a carburetor (or even a TBI) these are the must have intake and people will pay over $400 for a complete OE set up in OK shape and almost $1000 for a perfect set.
Heaven only know why the restoration and aftermarket firms haven't noticed this. There is a HUGE demand for these parts.
I asked Bruce at hawksthirdgen about reproducing these, and he said he would if he had a mint pair in hand.
Wish I had a nickel for every one of these I took off of cars at my dad's car lot when I was working for him as a lot boy when I was growing up.... We would replace these old rusty dogs with cheap open air filters. Apparently now its not wrong to ask 325.00 for one!
Why would they have to be mint? He just needs the size (6 1/8 x 2" at one end and 4" in diameter at the other), the number of turns (24), the gap between each loop (5/8" at normal stretch) , the stock length (16") and the construction ( U channel sheet metal with high temperature rubber webbing.. that is a guess on the rubber web ), and the plastic latches at the end (which have been in use since the late 60's... maybe earlier).
Back in the day these were pumped out by Gates and other OE suppliers. I'm betting that if a reproduction place were to call Gates and order 100 of them they would probably produce a batch.
The aftermarket ones that I found on the 'bay have the exact same construction as a stock one except:
1) the webbing is wider
2) they are 1/4" shorter
3) they have 5 or 6 fewer turns of metal "ribs"
4) the stock one are oval -> oval these are oval -> round... but they are easy to "squash"
5) and stock ones have a small square rub/heat guard on the right hand side
Quote] Wish I had a nickel for every one of these I took off of cars at my dad's car lot when I was working for him as a lot boy when I was growing up.... We would replace these old rusty dogs with cheap open air filters. Apparently now its not wrong to ask 325.00 for one!
4) the stock one are oval -> oval these are oval -> round... but they are easy to "squash"
The stock ducts are not made in a flattened or squashed shape. They're basically round-ish or oval when brand new, and they need "squashing"/shaping too. Here's a NOS duct that I've had advertised on this site since 2009. Knowing that I have this, it's made this thread, and others like it, entertaining reading. Obviously, people don't use the search feature.
I would speculate that the reason nobody has reproduced these (yet) is because the L69 was produced in extremely limited numbers. So at face value, the market for them would be very small, and, therefore, not profitable. And nobody is going to do it out of the kindness of their heart.
What vendors fail to realize is that the L69 air cleaner assembly will fit ANY 3rdgen Carb or TBI engine(slight mod required for TBI, but easily doable). So the potential for 6-figures worth of sales does exist. And if viewed from that perspective, then someone would probably realize these are worth reproducing.
Here's the even more elusive, some might even say, mythical, passenger side scoop. Except for a small crack near its mounting surface, it's very nice. Nobody is likely to find a better one:
I have an entire assembly sitting in storage collecting dust. It's by no means NOS, except for the one duct I posted above, so it would require some refinishing. I also have a NOS decal somewhere too. The car I was going to use them on, I sold in 2009, which is why the stuff has been advertised since then. I tend to "give" things away, but the risk in that is someone then flipping it for huge profit. I don't mean to tease, but that's why I haven't decided what I want to do with this stuff yet.
The stock ducts are not made in a flattened or squashed shape. They're basically round-ish or oval when brand new, and they need "squashing"/shaping too. Here's a NOS duct that I've had advertised on this site since 2009. Knowing that I have this, it's made this thread, and others like it, entertaining reading. Obviously, people don't use the search feature.
Actually I've been searching and searching and searching. My goal was to find a nice pair and not pay $200 each for them... Which is the going rate these days.
Here's the even more elusive, some might even say, mythical, passenger side scoop. Except for a small crack near its mounting surface, it's very nice. Nobody is likely to find a better one:
01-09-2016, 12:45 PM
I paid less than that for a freshly rebuilt 4 Bolt 350 with Vortech heads. 
