I have a stock LO3 (90 Camaro RS) and I have the air cleaner, ducts, and scoops from a L69 5.0L HO. I really like the look of the Dual Snorkel. I've seen some posts here about this and someone mentioned I might have to do something with the A.I.R. and I might have to get a smaller coolant overflow bottle. First of all, what the heck is the A.I.R.? Is it some sort of emissions BS? I know where it is in the engine bay, I just don't know what it is, or if I would be able to relocate it somewhere or if I could just eliminate it. I'm in Ohio, so we have emissions testing every two years. Would this be something I could take off and put back on for my next emissions test (Feb. 2001)? Or would I be able to pass a test without it? Any and all help is appreciated. Detailed drawings are even more appreciated! Thanks.

First time poster, long time lurker,
Erik

 

I'm doing the same thing, going to try to keep A.I.R. but if not will scrap it.
I've test fitted the aircleaner and the only real problem is the hose going into A.I.R.
it goes in on top and interferes with the snorkle. If you cut some pipes and relocate the A.I.R. it should work. If my stupid friend ever gets around to doing this for me,
I'll post it.


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88 IROC the best RS ever made!
well except for the B4C

 

The AIR system injetcs air into the exhaust system providing oxygen to burn any unburned gases. A spark is not needed because the gas is still hot enough to burn as long as it has oxygen. This system lowers emission levels.

You can install the dual-snorkel air cleaner assembly and keep the AIR system on and functioning, but it requires modification to the tube and fabricating a bracket. There is a picture of how Hot Rod did this in the book "The Best of Hot Rod: Camaro Performance 1989-1996". On page 89 they have a small picture that shows the assembly before and after the modification.

Unless you're set on intalling the dual snorkel system and modifying the valve, you might consider just an open element. I have a 14x2.25 element, and I all had to do was drill a hole in the bottom to allow the IAT to be placed in it's original location. The car works fine, and has a unique sound under WOT. Sounds kinda like a jet under the hood. I like the sound, and it obviously flows more air, plus the stupid THERMAC is gone.

I know people are gonna criticize the hot engine air being sucked into the engine, but I'm planning on adding a true ram air hood that will flow cool outside air right onto the open element, so in the end it'll work out good.

I hope this helped you, if you have any more questions please ask. Sorry I couldn't tell you if you could pass emissions w/o the valve or not, I would assume the sniffer wouldn't catch it but a visual inspection would.

Jason

 

I'm not sure about this, but if you raised the TBI unit with a spacer you might get away with not notifying the AIR tube. Personally I'd try to bend down the tube or just remove it.

Also BlwnRs is right on the money. With my open element my car sounds like a fighter jet. If you want to see what it sounds like just remove your whole air cleaner assembly and drive around the block once. That beastly sound you hear is what my car counds like.

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1989 Camaro RS LO3 WCT5 "The Hose Queen" 0-60' 2.34 1/4 15.8@87mph
http://350.StreetRacing.org
ICQ: 61342629 AOL IM: BlackSunshineZ28

[This message has been edited by Get Blown ? (edited October 11, 2000).]

 

Welcome to the board Estumph

while the L69 aircleaner looks factory you must also remember that it performs factory. As such its airflow potential is limited, and if you own a camaro theres really no reason to use it seeing as how a very very simple modification can bring in copious amounts of outside cool air to your engine bay for any open element
if you really want a dual snorkle i would go with one of the aftermarket units that go around a 14x3 aircleaner

but if you are dead set on the L69 aircleaner you can just remove the AIR stuff

its purpose for tailpipe emissions is not measurable because the only reason its there is to "light off" the catalytic converter during startup. After startup the air is redirected directly to the cat. once your car reaches 180 degrees it doesnt matter either way. Ive seen back to back comparisons with egr and without egr on the same tpi motors and the results were differences in the single digits of change on scales in the hundreds

 

Pablo. What do you mean by "light off" the cat. What if you don't have a cat? Is the AIR system useless then?

 

Thanks for the quick and informative replies.

871LEIroc: If your friend ever gets around to relocating that AIR, pics and a description would be great.

89BlwnRs: Where can I find that Hot Rod book? Do you have it? And would you be able to post the pertinent pages that would help me relocate the AIR?

Get Blown ?: I removed the hose coming to the top of the AIR and there is still a hard plastic elbow on top of the box that I was unable to remove...I did not put a lot of force behind it as I did not want to break anything..so I think bending the tube is outta the question.

Pablo: I'm pretty much dead set on the L69 cuz I like the looks and I found an absolutely perfect unit and snatched it up. If I were to say, remove the AIR, what would I have to disconnect/would there be anything I had to plug up, and how would I go about doing all of that? I know you suggested another route, but if you were dead set on the L69, how would you personally disconnect that AIR? Plus, my dad was wondering about any codes that might be tripped in the process..

To Everyone-Thanks for the help.

One more thing concerning this L69 installation: If I wanted to remove my A/C (it's not charged and I wouldn't even use it if it were charged), what would I need to do. I know I'd need a new belt, but other than that, how difficult is it to uninstall the A/C unit?

{Website in progress--I'll post it when it's ready}


[This message has been edited by EStumph1 (edited October 11, 2000).]

 

My bad, I never even thought of that black plastic piece before. I always figured the tubes themselves were the problem. Maybe you could hacksaw that brackets so it sits lower... But before you try use a tape meassure and see exactly how much you'd need to lower it and can.

 

Check out this website for installation info:
http://home.earthlink.net/~larsdennert/camaro/


I'll email you a buildup from Hot Rod (89)
that mentions the coolant overflow as well.
The car did not have A.I.R. but should be f some interest.

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88 IROC the best RS ever made!
well except for the B4C