Whoo, first post.

Hey all, last night I went out to pick up an open element air cleaner from autozone and I ended up with an Edelbrock #1207, 14" by 3". Unfortunately for me, I open the box and sure enough, it had a drop base. Blargh. If I follow the Ultimate TBI article correctly, a non-drop Open Element is superior to a drop base one as that way I wouldn't have to use the spacer ring which restricts airflow. Therefore, I need your assistance: should I keep my drop base Edelbrock, or take it back to autozone and get something a different one? If I get a different one, which brand and model number do you recommend? I need people's opinions, because the Edelbrock didn't say ANYTHING about having a drop base on the box as far as I could tell...

 

I could only find drop bases at autoparts stores like that. I went in and asked the guy if they had any other air cleaner bases that were flat bases and he said "uhh what do you mean? Like a gasket?" I stared at him for a few seconds wondering why he worked in an autoparts store then said wow and walked out. Order it from Summit online or Jegs or something, easier to find what you want.

 

Here's what I did....kinda goes hand in hand and you can do it too since you have a camaro instead of a bird. I got a 2" drop base. It sat kinda funny so I thought....why not just move the TBI up? So I ordered a 2" TBI spacer from jegs ( for trucks of course)and the thing fits awesome. No issues with hood clearance or anything and it's pretty cool cuz it's kinda like they go hand in hand for power. Just be sure to instal your IAT sensor when you put the open element on though, it does make a difference. I would shoot you some pics if I had a camera....but that's a long way away....

 

Welcome to the boards! Lol, my first post/thread was also about the Open Element. I got the edelbrock drop base from Autozone as well, and for $30, it'll do untill you do your ultimate TBI mods. I love the way mine sounds/works (at night, at least) Just do yourself a favor, read through my thread before you instal it!!!

Bruce (90RS305)

 

Here's the thread:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=171757

 

For the record WTF is the difference between Drop and non drop? First thing i did was buy the cheapest aircleaner i could find AZ had a bunch of no name cleaners, i ended up getting a 2x9 ($14) cuase i was planning on doing a ramair induction. the cleaner i have is flat on the bottom I dont have the dumb ring either i fabed up something that would allow me to use the setup without it. though 2 rivets work just fine to keep it from spinning. but I am getting my Dual Snorkel aircleaner back soon so i can eliminate the entire setup and start over.

 

Thanks for everyone's help thus far. I'm adamant in following the advice of the Ultimate TBI article, and so I want to get everything right the first time. Thus, I took the Edelbrock back to Autozone, and decided to go to the only speed shop by me to check things out. Unfortunately, I don't trust what most of these guys have to say (they mostly work on Hondas for chrissakes) so I'm back here before I order through them or perhaps Summit. I'm currently interested in the K&N Complete X-Stream Open Element assembly (pricy though it is), considering that way I'll get the K&N filter and the X-Stream lid together so when I choose to get am SS hood, the scoop and aircleaner should work together nicely.

Now here's where I need someone's assistance: The guy I talked to said there's no such thing as a flat-based aircleaner, only those with a drop base or a lip on the base to space it (can't remember the exact measurement he gave). Given my interest, he suggested the KNN-66-3010 which is 14" by 4.5" including the height of the lid. Checking my Summit Catalog, there's another model, the KNN-66-3000, which is 14" by 3.5", which sounds too short to use a 3" element. So now I ask if anyone has input one way or the other: go with the 3010 for ~140 (With X-Stream lid and K&N filter mind you), or ditch the plan and try to find something else? I'm still open to suggestions

 

Wow. Scary stuff. When it goes on, I'm keeping ALL of that in mind.

 

Mr Gasket PN 1480 is a cheap non drop air cleaner. While the base is not flat, it doesn't drop either. It curves up and then back down( to clear throtle linkage). I'm using that base with a Edelbrock elite lid.

 

I put the Edelbrock 14x3 on my wife's Bird, but that's only temp. anyway, until I can by a new hood for her. Then I'll probably go 14x4 with a spacer.

 

__________
|....____... | = Drop
|_/.........\_|

_________
|..............| = Non-Drop
|________ |
Take out all the periods and you have the picture I'm trying to make....dang 'Auto Unspace!'

Yeah, I know that looks like $#^%@ but hey, you get the point!
Basically a drop-base cleaner will sit lower than a non-drop. They both have the same amount of surface for intake, but the drop base causes 1/2 the air to need to take a diff. path to get to the throttle body. MORAL: Drop bases give more hood clearance (with a stock TBI, you need this) and Non-Drop gives better air flow!

Bruce (90RS305)

 

Did you actually read the whole thread?

 

Of course I did, fuseable links and crushed wires and electrical tape and everything. See, it's scary when you think your car has the possibility of crapping out on you from something as simple as two wires. And not having a car for a month to get you to work and school. Because *** knows its happened to me with the fuel pump back in May.

Thanks to everyone for their input thus far.

 

okay got it.....mines still about a flat as i can get it.

 

damn nice picture there lol. I want to get the open element for mine too and i'm definately going to put the spacer on. My dad put the 1" spacer i believe on the truck and he loves it.
Welcome to the boards, listen to what these guys have to say most of em really know their stuff!

 

Okay, I think I have a lead on something that should work.

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...239431&x=0&y=0

It matches up with everything the Ultimate TBI mods recommends: non-drop base, 3 inches tall.... my concerns are the price (just under 50 bucks shipped, even if it does have a reusable element, I'm not sure I'd trust it) and the fact that it has a flat base....and with JokerRS's post, I'm not sure that there'd be interference problems with the throttle linkage.

Yea or Nay on the cleaner? Sorry about continually bringing this stuff up, but I want to be able to do this once and do it right , as you can tell I'm on the home stretch!