ok well my mechanics teacher (hes an ideot) put his air filter lid on upside down...how much does that effect anything, if anything at all.

 

Whoa... might wanna keep that guy off the heavy drugs. I'd think unfiltered air could get in since it may not seal correctly.
David

 

My friend's dad does this too on carbureted cars..it's an old trick apparently, I've heard it several times before. Not so much for the extra air flow, which is very minimal, but supposedly it makes the engine louder/sound better...

 

Supposibly it helps it breath better. I does make exhaust deeper, and tends to use "tad" bit more gas.

 

But you risk sucking in dirt and debrits into the motor? As long as the top seals then you dont have to worry.

 

Dirt and dust oh no.

It just like running an open element but on a carbed car, it get better flow but if not adjusted right it can run lean.

It does and will seal just fine upside down but you might get too much air. it was designed to suck air through the snout, more air is better but only if you tune the carb for it.

and it does make the car sound cooler as you can now hear the engine and them 4 barrels when they kick in.....

 

They use to do that to all of the cop cars back in the 70's. It give a little better flow. This was long before everyone got into cold air intakes. Engine compartments were more roomy and the air was not as hot as it is in newer cars.

 

Gumby, you don't have to worry about it getting too much air. the motor pulls in whatever air it needs, more filter exposed does not mean that more air WILL go into the motor it does mean that more CAN go in (if the motor needs it).