Open element vs cold air intake?
Open element vs cold air intake?
I was going to go with an open element setup, but was wondering if any gains that would be produced would be negated by the fact it will be sucking in hot air? Or is an open element breathing hot air better then the stock single hose setup, if it will make a differance i dont mind wasteing the $50 till I find a dual snorkel or cold air set up. Whats everyone thoughts on this?
cold air is always good but the stock snorkle necks down to 1"x3". I opened my Formula hood to get cold air and it was a noticable difference when its chilly outside vs. before with just the open element sucking in hot air.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 125
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From: Whidbey Island
Car: 99 Trans Am
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60E
Well, in my case I'd go with the open element, primarily because I know I'll get a different hood in the future, like a ram-air, to where I'll get cold air anyway. So it just depends on what your plans are. The snorkle keeps the engine looking stock, open element gives it a modified look.
Nate
Nate
Just a thought. Would going to open ele, but leaving the duct and even adding a second one to the pass side help bring in cold air. I think it should? if you could mount the ducts to somthing I know theres a spot to screw in a second feed thing? Another thought.
Originally posted by 88firebird305
Just a thought. Would going to open ele, but leaving the duct and even adding a second one to the pass side help bring in cold air. I think it should? if you could mount the ducts to somthing I know theres a spot to screw in a second feed thing? Another thought.
Just a thought. Would going to open ele, but leaving the duct and even adding a second one to the pass side help bring in cold air. I think it should? if you could mount the ducts to somthing I know theres a spot to screw in a second feed thing? Another thought.
Supreme Member

Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,144
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From: CC, TX
Car: 1999 Yamaha Banshee
Engine: 379cc twin cyl 2-stroke stroker
Transmission: 6 spd manual
Axle/Gears: 14/41 tooth
i have thought about this before but i think i am just going to stick with a 14x3 open element
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 681
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From: Hamilton, NJ
Car: 88 Formula, 04 CTS-V, 06 Commander
Engine: 305 TBI, LS6, 4.7 V-8
Transmission: 5 spd, B&M Short Throw
I'd go with open air. Both my PopaPork and I have had Cold Air and Open elements on our car, and both of us preferred the Open.
I built a I guess you could call it a Cold Ram Air induction with a 6inch X 3inch rectangle cone and a 3inch heater piping. Mounted it up right behind the front bumper. Didnt really notice anything tho ... I like the Open air much better. [better sound too]
The open air works well with my formula because i took the plate out of the bulge, now my hood's kinda cold air functional.
KZad
I built a I guess you could call it a Cold Ram Air induction with a 6inch X 3inch rectangle cone and a 3inch heater piping. Mounted it up right behind the front bumper. Didnt really notice anything tho ... I like the Open air much better. [better sound too]
The open air works well with my formula because i took the plate out of the bulge, now my hood's kinda cold air functional.
KZad
Chech these guys out:
www.ramairbox.com
It is what I run and I have no complaints. It'll give you 2 tenths and a mph over an open element K&N.
www.ramairbox.com
It is what I run and I have no complaints. It'll give you 2 tenths and a mph over an open element K&N.
MY305, what did you do with the snorkles? Were you able to find both the driver and pasenger L69 4 inch air intakes? did you have to grind a slot for the ram air box to fit? We may have talked about this, I forgot..................bob
i have a 4" cowl, but am running ram air through a TPI set-up with the snorkel going behind my grill. here is a pic. which would be better for me, ram air or open element since i have the cowl? btw, if you are confused, its a TBI original air cleaner housing, with a TPI intake.
I only have the passenger's side 4in snorkel. I have called all the salvage yards with-in a 2hr. drive of me and no one has it. Yes I did increase the inner diameter of the bottom of the box to alow it to ride forward to clear the distributor.
Matt
Matt
Matt, I really like the look of your set up and have considered it myself but I think it is short on air. I bet it flows a lot more than stock but it still is limited by the 3" single hose. I have thought about running a single 4" hose and modifiing the tpi scoop but I still don't think it is enough for 300+ hp.
my 305, yeah, I have tried to find the snorkels too but no luck.
So, you actually ground out the base and moved the whole box foreward? How far did you have to move it and how did you adjust the air cleaner stud to fit? thanks..........bob
my 305, yeah, I have tried to find the snorkels too but no luck.
So, you actually ground out the base and moved the whole box foreward? How far did you have to move it and how did you adjust the air cleaner stud to fit? thanks..........bob
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Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Ga
Car: 91 RS
Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Originally posted by rsilver
Matt, I really like the look of your set up and have considered it myself but I think it is short on air. I bet it flows a lot more than stock but it still is limited by the 3" single hose. I have thought about running a single 4" hose and modifiing the tpi scoop but I still don't think it is enough for 300+ hp.
..bob
Matt, I really like the look of your set up and have considered it myself but I think it is short on air. I bet it flows a lot more than stock but it still is limited by the 3" single hose. I have thought about running a single 4" hose and modifiing the tpi scoop but I still don't think it is enough for 300+ hp.
..bob
I have thought about the same thing with the TPI duct and making it 4" also. I have had the single 4" feeding a Vortec 350 with no problem
dm91rs, very interesting and good to know. Maybe its worth trying with a single 4" . I talked to the guys at Ram air and their single 4 inch air box flows something like 500 cfm, so that seems short to me. IMO the LS6 induction system is entirely different than our tbi systems but it may be worth a try to do a single 4 inch system. It would really look cool and a lot cleaner and easier than trying to rout two 4" hoses especially on the passenger side.I gotta consider it. Any other opinions on this ie is a single
4" cold air intake enough for approx 300 hp???
Thanks................bob
4" cold air intake enough for approx 300 hp???
Thanks................bob
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