How to build a Ram Air induction system for a TBI fuel system

By Joe Airaudi (joeairaudi@mailcity.com)

This is an EASY mod for TBI Firebirds.  Mine was on an ’89 Formula.  You may notice that the snorkel is under the hood behind the headlight where it gets little fresh, cool air.  I set out to change this. This is an easy, cheap if not free mod.  It requires stuff you have in your junky garage, and about half a days work with a couple tools.  And nothing is permanent, so change it back, why you’d do that, I don’t know.

First, the signal lights need to be removed and positioned under the front end.  This takes about 15 min. and you simply unscrew it, extend the wires with simple components, and bolt them upside-down to the hard, black plastic under the front with the same screws.  If you put them just to the inside and underneath the headlights, it gives the car a lowered look at night, but you can experiment.  Extending the wires is the only trick part, but it’s still easy.

Next, use your creativity, I used cut oil and antifreeze bottles, to create a funnel-like "scoop" to shoot the air from the open signal light space to the snorkel.  Remember to keep the forward facing end the size of the original signal light hole you just made and the backward end slightly smaller, and pointing up and to the snorkel. Keep the front end of the scoop under the hood so it doesn’t stick out.  You can secure these scoops with the original screw (you will have 2 leftover, and original holes). You’ll understand all of this when you try it.  There is no need to connect the scoop the the snorkel, it will create a cold air compartment on it’s own when you shut the hood.  Also, with large (slightly larger than garden hose) rubber hose, you can cut the bottom out of an oil bottle to create another scoop on the opposite side and pipe it over with the hose.  It works!  just keep it clear of the latch and spring and point it towards the snorkel.  Also, I strongly recommend removing the black metal cowl-insert, if you have that hood, so that air has room to move.  You can modify it so that water won’t get in, but it won’t really hurt anything. All you need is a socket set. Finally, I suggest a K&N ( like you don’t already have one) and using an old air filter’s wire screening to cover the new scoops you just created. Here’s a quick tip.  If you are going to race and don’t want to do this mod, just unscrew the blinkers right before you race, pull the bulbs out of the lamp, and leave the bulb sitting there.  It’s better than nothing. Print this off and go do it, today!  You won’t regret it.