Posting a few pics (top, side and bottom) of my TBI air intake system that uses components from a 93 caprice, custom plenum and stock TPI setup.
Different views follow.
S-D

 

On car.

 

I used stock sensors and locations from the 93 Caprice air cleaner assembly.

 

The cut-out in the steel plenum is to accomodate the EGR valve on the GMPP TBI-Vortec intake manifold. They put it up front on that manifold for some reason and without the cutout, there is interference.

 

This pic shows the location of the EGR valve (front left) on the TBI-Vortec intake that the air intake had to clear.

This rest of the setup includes stock 91 TPI components. Air Filters are in the stock TPI location.
S-D

 

Very, very nice. Definetely fabrication of high quality. Is it cold air or ram air?

 

I wonder if that one would clear everything okay on my Holley double pumper...

 

that looks very nice, but i think that would be restrictive compared to an open element.

 

as I said in my pm. looks just fine.
I also don't know, if this is a restriction but when there is enough incoming air....
I've got a similar setup with an open element...(site in sig, page 4)
greetz

S!MON

 

Just cold air. I have the z-28 grill and was considering the ram air idea, but ran out of gas. Have just been driving it lately.
S-D

Edit: I should mention that the quality of fabrication hinged largely on having access to the right tools (band saw, sheet metal brake and a good mig welder). I manged the cutting and bending just fine, but I could have done a little better on my welds. I didn't want to burn through, so I turned the heat down. My friend (whose welder I was using) casually mentioned that some of the welds looked like, "I picked my nose and wiped a few boogers on there." What a guy he is.
S-D

 

Thanks for the compliment-
In terms of filter size, I have two TPI filters, probably 4" by 4"? That is just an approximation on my part. I'm sure an open air element has more exposed filter surface area. My main goal here was to draw cold air from outside the engine compartment, which this system does.
In addition, this allowed me to retain stock sensors and locations.
Beyond that, I imagine that the engineers at GM would provide their high performance 350 TPI engines with adequate air flow, so went with pre-formed parts where they were available (TPI filter housing and flex tube).
I'm sure there is something better out there, it just eventually comes down to cost v. benefits v. overall objectives....
Thanks,
S-D

 

Simons setup is as good a compromise between an open element and cold air that I have seen.

I am always suprised at how warm the engine bay of these camaros get when the cowl seal is in place. It really keeps the heat under the hood. Simons system likely goes a long way towards minimizing the effect of the heat.

I suppose for a strict drag car, the open element with a cowl induction hood or similar would be the easiest. For me keeping it cool while driving in traffic and retaining a somewhat stock appearance has its merits as well.

Thanks for all your inputs-
S-D

 

I can't wait to see how the ram air turns out when you deside to fab it! With your quality of work, it will probably turn out better than slp's at a fraction of the cost. I have been trying to figure something out for mine, but no luck. I bought an air cleaner off of a '91 4.9 tbi caddy engine from a junk yard, but it sits just a tad to high. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

 

What year caprice did you get parts from?
Never mind reading pwns me.
So the stock 93 caprice sensors worked?

 

1991-1993 Chev Caprice, 1991-1993 Buick Roadmaster, 1991-1992 Olds Custom Cruiser. All are TBI with the plastic toaster air cleaner housing.

 

what are your mods and what kink of numbers do you think you are getting out of that vortec/intake setup you have.