I have an 87 GTA 305 5spd.I wanna free up some horse by modifying my airbox.I wanna get an slp cold air buti have no cash right now so i have to make due with what i got.can someone suggest how i can modify it,,,if you have pictures i would like to see them. thanx

 

i hear you can cut part of the side of the box out ??!! but not sure of the procedure. is seems like on my frineds you could just cut off one side..., but, not sure!! add a k&n also to improve air flow!

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1989 firebird formula

Mods: converted from T.B.I. to a carburator 305 to a 350. Flowmater exhaust,hedman shortie hedders,202 160 (882) heads,.447/.447 lift 222@.050 duration speed pro 327/350hp cam 350 .40 over (356) Edlebrock torker2 and a 600 edlebrock manual choke (1405)

Future mods performer rpm air gap intake (polished) comp roller cam, and way better headsa 400 defintely in the works!

 

Cant cut the sides on an 87, its a different box. You can drill holes in the bottom where the filter sits (in the center around the mounting bolt) and cut holes in the plastic lid that sits on top of the air filter. Ditch the plastic box between the MAF and TB and replace it with some 3" tubing and a clamp.

 

I made my own cold air box that was estially as effective as the SLP unit. I got the idea from looking at a players motor sport series car (where the 1LE road race cars came from).

To make the firebird/TA's as competitive as the camaros, they made a cold air box.

It consisted of some sheet metal bent in an "L" shape. You basically make a wall between the engine bay and the fender using the rad support and overflow bottle as two of the walls of your BOX. The wall is tall enough to seal up with the hood.

Then you throw out your air box and use a cone style filter, or if you are cheap like me, you make a base and lid and use the factory air box ... head out to the wrecker and find a six cylinder car and take the air box and start hacking.

Like Max says, use some 3" tubing and a cone filter. That will give you alot more flow.

If you are interested in my bend shield, I am sure I have it in the basement. i could post a picture of it. nothing special, but it will give you an idea. Somewhere I have the article that gave me the idea.

Total cost was NIL. I had some spare aluminum sheet metal. SO it was time with some tin snips. I even used my factory air cleaner element.

This was on a 1989, so I had the factory rubber elbows.

Mark.

 

Don't they have all the same canisters..anyways on mine I just took the canister out and put the top of the canister back on and screwed it on. This way you can get all the air that your engine can breath! There is no way foranything else to get in because on the bottom, it is a solid surface and the top is where you tubing for the air box. I gained quite a bit on a G-tech. Couldn't believe how much of a difference this made. Hope this helps. Anybody else have any comments on this.
Darrell
1991 GTA L98
Canada

 

N in 86 and 87 the firebirds/TAs used a backwards canister. The engine side hooked to the side of the canister and it drew air from the middle. The 1991 is a normal style draw from top through side horn.

GM changed it for reason, more air flow I assume. The earlier ones were designed for sound control.

Mark.

 

I cut the metal out below the factory air can and run a 3 inch piece of pvc down into the fender and put a k&n on the end of it,BIG improvement over the air can with a k&n,now you can hear the car pulling air in,if anyone wants i will take pics and post them.

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New owner of a 88 gta with 72k miles just started to modify it.

 

SpankuGta, I'd like to see some pics.

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Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Gutted MAF
Ported Plenum
TB Bypass

 

You can rig a "ram air" by manually raising and removing the passenger side light and basket. Cut a larger opening in the basket,, use dryer ducting, duct tape it up really good. Looks tacky,, but it works - for the track,,, wouldn't recommend it for the street,, being down a light. Just one more thing the cops can pull you over for.

 

I will be taking the pics tomarrow or tuesday i still have some things to work out on it.Ill e-mail you when i get them.

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New owner of a 88 gta with 72k miles just started to modify it.

 

Thanks for the info .if you have pics on any of your suggestions i would like to see them thank you

 

I'll try to get a pic of my friends 88 GTA. He made a dual ram air system using the fog light holes.

 

That's if you want to remove your fog lights though. It did make one hell of a difference!!

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'88 IROC, 305 TBI(all but blown up!!)
New motor almost complete; 355 fully balanced, 9.75:1 compression, fully ported '70 truck heads(for now), Harland Sharp Roller Rockers, Comp Cams TPI cam, '90 speed density TPI with '86 base so it fits older style heads(presently being ported), plan on burning my own chips, many more mods and parts on the way as time and money permits =(
Should have it running in a couple weeks as soon as I figure some things out.
Best E.T. with TBI 305: 16.11 @ 82mph (see why I'm putting a new motor in!!!)
Won bracket races at Numidia Raceway with my '70 Nova
Check out my buddy Jeremy Kunkel's 70 Chevelle at www.numidiaraceway.com (He's the 2000 Street Eliminator Track Champion!!)

 

Sorry i haven't posted any pics its raining bad down here in dallas the last week i'll get back to you next week with the pics.

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New owner of a 88 gta with 72k miles just started to modify it.