I was wondering what was entailed in this little change I'd like to make. I'd like to get a new hood (should bolt on) and an air filter box kit (should also be an easy install, right up on the throttle body right?). I was wondering about the computer though. Mine is a 1990 firebird and I'm not exactly sure if the hood and the filter box are the only two things I'm gonna have to change. Please, fill me in. Thanks.
-Ben

 

the computer will handle it fine.

 

Changing the hood won't make much difference.
Here's one way to do the job
I draw air from below & it exits infront of factory air box, under the hood.
I also let air in thru a headlight opening & a hole in hood inner bracing support.
I also straighten out the path from air box to the air inlet of the intake manifold.
These help, but Camaros have much more luck with aold air packge designs.
Always let in fresh outside cooler air, not under hood hot air.
My set up tho ratty looking cost about nothing except a few bucks at swap meets & tin snips.
I really noticed how poorly (for performance) the factory set up is when I went for smog testing. I had to reuse the factory air box inlet set up. I lost top end passing speed.
I think the best hood for fresh air for a Firebird would be the Trans Am set up from later years of 3rd Gens. That front grill can pick up air when the under hood braces are cut open.
Try the cheapest fresh air entry ideas first, many are out there.
Computer worries - as Lee7 said, none not a concern at all. From one that uses a factory 1985 (2.8 V6) computer to power a 1995 3.4 (using the 1985 sensors)

 

68-69 Firebird hood scoops molded into the hood.

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Can you point me in the direction for some cheap ideas to get colder air into my intake? This is not something that I absolutely HAVE to do right now, I'm currently shopping around at junkyards looking for a hood that suits what I want. But if there's something out there cheaper (that doesn't require a whole lot of cutting stuff) I would really like to take a look. Thanks.

 

My set up cost next to nothing.
I found plastic air directional stuff at swap meets & left over stuff I had in garage.
Best is to go to Home Depot & use the Plumbing section for stuff for air directional aids.
My hose routes thru the fender to exit infront of the air box in engine bay.
It really is simple.
I cut my hood a slight bit, as I have an extra hood.
I also straightened the air from air box to air inlet on the 2.8 manifold.
That is one of the best & a very effective trick.
The white hose ya see replaces the black plastic air box behind the radiator. The 90* bend I found at a swap meet.
The air cleaner air box, I used a heat gun to straighten the lid, inside of it angled down.
This all gained me a dirty air filter! showing me that I was directing air to the air box, more effectively.