I have been working out a cold-air setup for the Firebird. I have found a muffler shop that will Mandrel bend a 3 inch tube that will run out to my right fender well. I will either adapt the factory filter to work in this space, or buy a new Holley filter that fits.

Has anyone done this mod ? If so I would like to hear how you got the 3 inch tube around the right side of the radiator ? As you can see from the pic the factory unit makes a 90 deg bend at the TB then another slight bend at the extreme right of the rad.

Another question for those who have done this mod -- did it actually improve anything or should I stick to stock ?

thx, RP.

 

Are you talking replacing the placing tubing that is parallel to the rad? I so, the only problem with metal tubing is that it can get and will get heat soaked, therefore decreasing your performance...As opposed to plastic that will just get warm. Unless of course you consider getting it ceramic coated?!?

 

Yes I was considering replacing the black intake tube that runs from the throttle body bellows to the filter.

I had planned on aluminum tubing and really had not considered heat. Guess I should have ? I expect ceramic coating is pretty expensive too -- this was supposed to be a cheap mod !

RP.

 

I can't say exactly how much it would cost to coat the tubing. I know a set of headers (I'm not sure if this includes the y-pipe) will run you about $300. Of course you could always wrapped it with that stuff they use for headers...That would do the trick, just wouldn't like as pretty.

 

I had another idea for cold-air:

How about this notion -- I have opened up the inlet on the Power bulge (the bump on my hood). Now years ago on my '85 I had a dual snorkel setup from GM that used a flexible material for the 'tubing' from the air-filter to the either fender. If I could find a sufficient supply of this flexible material I could route cold-air from the back of the hood (by the windshield) to the TB. Kind of like the old Chevy Cowl Induction.

Any idea where to get the flexible hose ?

RP.

 

Perhaps check out a Home Depot or Building Box. They usually have a tonne of that kinda stuff.