Cold air intake construction and mounting?

[jlwdvm]

I recently modified the CAI I made for my 69 firebird LS3 Track/street project. I had the MAF sensor (with honey comb) mounted right in front of the throttle body. It was mounted between a rubber coupler and a rubber 90 degree elbow that then led to the air cleaner that was located behind the drivers light. The steel tube was bolted to the inner fender for support. There was plenty of wiggle with this set up due to the 90 rubber elbow. I recently replaced the rubber elbow with steel tubing and placed the MAF in the center of the straight section that leads to the air cleaner. There is still the rubber coupler that attaches the CAI to the throttle body and the tube is still bolted to the inner fender for support. There is some wiggle at the throttle body, but not as much as before. Just wondering how much motor movement I have to allow for with a 570 horse LS and Prothane clam-shell motor mounts?

[gnx7]

I can say this.... any aggressive (90*) bend you put into the air stream pre throttlebody does zap some HP. Why not just do a SpeedDensity tune and remove that restriction also?
Realize that a straight shot style intake is cost prohibitive in most swap applications.

On a 440ci LSx motor we gained 25rwhp+ by making a straight shot intake vs. one with a 90* bend. This was done on the dyno..... same day testing. 595rwhp with custom 4" intake and LS7 K&N filter. SpeedDensity tune.

[jlwdvm]

Straight shot intake...like what is on a corvette? You have to remember this is an LS3 in a 69 Firebird with a large C&R radiator with dual fans, power steering and alternator, etc that has to be worked around. The steel 4" pipe that I replaced the rubber 90 with does have a larger radius that eases the transition from the straight section to the elbow needed to get to the throttle body. I don't have access to a dyno and knowledgable tuner in my area.

[reedld]

Doing a straight air intake tube is challenging/impossible on older cars.

Check out this guys build...

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1267311-ls1-t56-69-ta-vert-4.html#post13928089

I bought the airaid kit, carefully cut and glued my setup similar to his. Turned out great.
As far as tuning..speartech and "tuned by frost" are great LS tuners (to mail your PCM in).

My PCM has been worked on by both with great results. I am planning on putting a larger can in over the winter (along with LS6 intake). I may try texas speed tuning only because I plan on buying my parts from them.

[jlwdvm]

My 69 is gonna be a little more go and not so much show! I have followed his build on highperformancepontiac. My tube has 2 layers of DEI on it. I wrapped right over the MAF and clamps. Scroll down to the end of my thread to see what I am talking about. I can't post pictures on here for some reason.
http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/102040-1969-Firebird-TA-clone-track-car-build/page9

[randy]

Anyone ever have issues putting the air filter in the fender ? some have said that theres not a lot of airflow there. If thats the case maybe cut the inner fender area to allow fresh air come in?

[Che70velle]

A lot of folks, including myself, put their filter over behind the fender, and even build a close-out panel to house it in. The idea is keeping the filter out of the hot engine bay air. I cut a 4" hole below mine, and made a scoop, mounted on the bottom of the inner fender, behind the bumper, to keep splashed water out, and aid in cooler air charge. I made my close-out panel to where it bolts in place, to help make air filter main trance not so terrible. I'm running Mast M90 electronics, and they recommend keeping filter out of engine bay heat, so I kind of did mine this way out of necessity.

[jlwdvm]

I have looked at how air flow will be with my filter mounted in the area behind the headlights. I am going to bend up a panel to bolt to the core support that will help funnel even more air to the filter area, besides what comes up from below. Steilow mounts all of his there...I'll trust his judgement on this one!