Ideas for the next best $150 mod or upgrade
- Thread starter bucfan1234
- Start date
bucfan1234
Well-known member
While I am looking for a head to work on, I went ahead and started on a cold air intake. I ordered the carb hat from Classic Inlines, which looks and fits great and I am in the process of cobbling together the intake tube from 3" Aluminum.
Today, I installed the carb hat, connected it to a short run of the aluminum tube, which placed the filter on the opposite side of the engine bay from the headers and took her for a drive.
Basically, right now, it looks like this:
First impressions:
Operation: The car seems to really like this intake intake. I am not sure why but the operation of the vehicle seemed smoother, down to the idle. Could it have something to with less restricted airflow? Or perhaps less disruption of the air going into the carb throat? In theory, velocity of the air entering the carb should be increased over the round air cleaner as the same, or greater, amount of cfm is traveling though a narrower pipe on its way to the carb, no?
Power: As for a power increase, I couldn't tell you, though it "feels" like there could be more get up and go. I can tell you that, after a long cruise the aluminum carb hat and tube was just warm to the touch. Whereas the old air cleaner was very hot to the touch. I would be guessing at any temp drop, but it appears to be significant. Whether that effects the power in any way, I don't know. The manufacturers of these products claim that it does. One thing is certain, the cumulative effect of all of the small mods working together is very noticeable over the stock configuration, especially at cruising/highway speeds.
Sound: The car sounds better. Less noise from under the hood at idle, nice deep sound at full throttle.
Look: While I am only halfway through my plan for this intake, planning to extend this system to get real cold air from outside the engine compartment, I am happy with the fit and look of the carb hat. Even though it isn't period correct, its a clean look that is different from most other cars out there.
Overall, I am happy with this purchase, and with the quality of the product.
Today, I installed the carb hat, connected it to a short run of the aluminum tube, which placed the filter on the opposite side of the engine bay from the headers and took her for a drive.
Basically, right now, it looks like this:
First impressions:
Operation: The car seems to really like this intake intake. I am not sure why but the operation of the vehicle seemed smoother, down to the idle. Could it have something to with less restricted airflow? Or perhaps less disruption of the air going into the carb throat? In theory, velocity of the air entering the carb should be increased over the round air cleaner as the same, or greater, amount of cfm is traveling though a narrower pipe on its way to the carb, no?
Power: As for a power increase, I couldn't tell you, though it "feels" like there could be more get up and go. I can tell you that, after a long cruise the aluminum carb hat and tube was just warm to the touch. Whereas the old air cleaner was very hot to the touch. I would be guessing at any temp drop, but it appears to be significant. Whether that effects the power in any way, I don't know. The manufacturers of these products claim that it does. One thing is certain, the cumulative effect of all of the small mods working together is very noticeable over the stock configuration, especially at cruising/highway speeds.
Sound: The car sounds better. Less noise from under the hood at idle, nice deep sound at full throttle.
Look: While I am only halfway through my plan for this intake, planning to extend this system to get real cold air from outside the engine compartment, I am happy with the fit and look of the carb hat. Even though it isn't period correct, its a clean look that is different from most other cars out there.
Overall, I am happy with this purchase, and with the quality of the product.
Part of it is the restriction of the stock air filter, but the other part is as you described, the cold air. Cold air intakes do work, the debate is usually how much. Cold air is more dense than warm air. The more air and fuel you can cram into the cylinder, the more power you make. So air that is denser will create more power. Part of that is pulling air from the outside, and part is (at least for the ford inlines) getting the intake away from the hot exhaust.
These engines do benefit well from a lot of small mods. Sometimes they don't net a true power gain overall, but will help the car's drivability which in turn make the car feel more powerful.
Glad you like the mods so far!
These engines do benefit well from a lot of small mods. Sometimes they don't net a true power gain overall, but will help the car's drivability which in turn make the car feel more powerful.
Glad you like the mods so far!
bucfan1234
Well-known member
Thanks for the info, it really seems to have done something. I thought I would share some photos of the progress.
Here is a shot of the first test set up that I commented on earlier.
Second is essentially the same shot of my second set up. Changed to a chrome valve cover, which I think looks good opposite the aluminum intake. Also getting closer to cooler air.
Opposite shots
The second set up below was noticeably cooler at both at the intake tube and at the carb hat after running the car for an extended period prior to changing the valve cover. I am also relocating the heater hose from on top of the valve cover to the passenger side. That hose always annoyed me. lol
I am planning to get this thing to real cold air, outside the engine compartment, just trying to figure out a way to get that done without cutting holes in the car.
Please forgive my radiator, getting ready for paint there, and the pollen dust. Hard to clean that stuff until its done for the year.
Here is a shot of the first test set up that I commented on earlier.
Second is essentially the same shot of my second set up. Changed to a chrome valve cover, which I think looks good opposite the aluminum intake. Also getting closer to cooler air.
Opposite shots
The second set up below was noticeably cooler at both at the intake tube and at the carb hat after running the car for an extended period prior to changing the valve cover. I am also relocating the heater hose from on top of the valve cover to the passenger side. That hose always annoyed me. lol
I am planning to get this thing to real cold air, outside the engine compartment, just trying to figure out a way to get that done without cutting holes in the car.
Please forgive my radiator, getting ready for paint there, and the pollen dust. Hard to clean that stuff until its done for the year.
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