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For those with custom cold air intakes on their Firebirds/Trans Ams/GTA's/etc. what did you use? Are you using a universal kit like the one linked below or is it pieced together? If pieced together, what are you using to go from the oval throttle body to the round intake tubing? I found a couple of adapters on Spectre's website but they specify they are for Fords.
I haven't measured anything but judging by the cramped space available, I will only be able to use a 3" or mayyybe a 3.5" tube. What size tubing are you guys using?
Also, how do I determine what size filter to use? There are a lot of options are far as size go for conical filters and I'm not sure what I'll need. Is it just a matter of taking some measurements of the open space and then cramming in the biggest filter I can fit in there?
That's the key phrase. They don't come around very often and I'm not sure I'm willing to pay the exorbitant prices even if I were to find one. I think I can make a custom CAI kit that looks/performs just as good (or better) for half the price. Just need a little help getting started (mainly with the TB adapter).
What's wrong with the OE bellows? It goes from the oval TB to 3" round.
What do you hope to gain? If you're just after flashy, there's about 500 listings for a Chinese polished aluminum cold air intake that pops up on Ebay every time I search for 91 Firebird parts.
If you just want more air, disassemble the air cleaner and reassemble without the can. Granted it'd be potentially warmer air, but it's quick and easy. This time of year it'll give you just as much improvement as any CAI.
The OE bellows aren't smooth. I want something that will promote smooth, laminar air flow. Especially when the air has to make a sharp 90* turn immediately before it enters the engine.
I really have two goals with this: 1) find a source for colder, denser outside air and insulate it from the hot engine bay and 2) have as few internal restrictions as possible for most efficient air flow (uniform cross section throughout; as few bends as possible but where bends are necessary make them smooth, radiused bends; no internal baffling or ribbed/ridged tubing)
Flashy is not what I'm after at all. I'm definitely a function over form kind of guy (but I'd like to have both if possible lol). I actually prefer the textured molded plastic over the polished aluminum as I think it "fits" better with the OE look. It also has more desirable thermal properties compared to aluminum, although I'm not sure it will make a huge difference as little time as air will spend travelling through the tubing.
