I've seen many engine pics of thirdgens with 14x3" open element air cleaners, but for some reason, on my L03, I cant get mine to fit to save my life. It either sits too high with the spacer ring around the TBI, or it drops too low without it and rubs ignition coil wires. (14x3 with 1.5" drop base) It can't seriously be this hard to put a simple open element air cleaner on all of these SBCs with clearance issues on the ignition coil, or the stock flat hood. I ended up using a flat base 1.25" filter. That cleared fine, but the filter is tiny. I would like more airflow. I don't know how to make this work like so many people have. (Of course cowl hoods make it easier, but people put them on flat hoods all the time)

 

I had the same problem. Now I had a carb set up but I think the TBI might be the same scenario. Maybe this might help ya. I ended up having to modify the bottom plate (basically bend and shape it around parts to fit and using a 2" element. I have a RPM performer manifold which brought the carb up to where I had only 2" clearance from the hood. With the 1 1/2" drop it was actually starving the car of air. I also refused to cut or cowl the hood so my option was to go to the Spectre low profile dual cold air intake. All my problems were solved. Its a bit pricey but well worth it. Even if you do make the drop 14 x 3" element fit, you may not get enough air flow in. You can see the pic below I had to crush the 2" element to get it to fit. It looked like crap and the 1.5" was to thin,





My fix below with the Spectre.

 

I used a Edelbrock on my 86 Firebird without any problems. I am running a Summit carb on a performer intake though.

 

My drop base from Summit had no issues but I have a Formula hood maybe it has a touch more clearance?
aaaaaaaaa

 

Ya the first engine I had in this car was also a performer with no issues with it. The RPM performer manifold on this engine stands quite a bit taller. Jake_92RS What type of manifold do you have on it?

 

Pretty sure there is a tech article that talks about choosing the aircleaner that will fit. It was back in the "TBI is as good as TPI and carbs!" era, so I might be remembering it wrong or it might be toast.

 

Not third gen related but a video to show the effects of different types of air filters.

 

Here's an article from the how-tos section. Haven't read it but you may wish to
http://snflupigus.tripod.com/tech/op...tep1/step1.htm
Henry

 

I'm not into downloading random word files... https://www.thirdgen.org/ultimatetbi/ covers a few options. Aftermarket intakes and spacers can cause problems, since thirdgens generally dont have much clearance.

 

Took a H.O. dual snorkle air cleaner and removed the THERMAC valves because they were not needed. Fiber-glassed over the holes then took a dremel and smoothed out the snorkels for maximum air flow. Was a big improvement over the open element filter.

 

Another option is to cut the stock air cleaner down to the base, removing everything below the snorkel. Grind it clean, smooth, and even, and presto, you have an open element air cleaner that fits. Use your factory lid, and element.

 

How did you cut your HCV so its not so ugly?? Mine still has those long *** ugly hoses.

 

Just reroute and trim your hoses to fit. The HCV has just a vacuum line plugged in so I just pulled it out of the rubber boot and cut to length.

 

IMO, this is the best option. All the other hot air intakes might look pretty, but...

Yours is also the only one which appears to draw its air supply from somewhere other than the intentionally low-pressure area behind the radiator support.

Nice work.

 

It is a great looking setup!