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Cold air intake?

pismorat

1/2 ton status
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Oct 29, 2002
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Anyone run a cold air intake system on their carbureted truck? I was looking at the AirRaid “You Build It” kits and looks like you could so almost anything. Would just need some type of plenum to bolt to the carb. and figure out where to run the filter.
 
The only way I would run a CAI is from a snorkle setup. otherwise its open element or stock air cleaner or a modified stock that would do a ram air type.
 
I was thinking of doing a kit for a somewhat snorkle... at least have it suck from teh cab. THe "carb Hats" aka plenum are like 100 bucks for the cheapo one, and about 200 for the nice metal ones. so that kinda killed the idea for me
 
What's wrong with the factory CAI? If it doesn't flow enough for you, you can always bolt a second snorkle to the top half of the air cleaner housing. Then run a second factory hose to the 2nd factory punch-out on the rad support - if it will clear your A/C or alternator.
 
You have pics to support this? I want to get more air into the intake.

What's wrong with the factory CAI? If it doesn't flow enough for you, you can always bolt a second snorkle to the top half of the air cleaner housing. Then run a second factory hose to the 2nd factory punch-out on the rad support - if it will clear your A/C or alternator.
 
From what i've heard cold air intakes are pretty useless on full sizes since circulation is already plentiful under the hood.

Sure, if you don't mind all the hot air going down the intake, i've already commented on this in another thread about open air element filters, from personal experience out in summer Phoenix Arizona heat, they suck, switched back to the factory cold air intake setup and ran better with much better throttle response.

And as far as stock motors needing more tubing and more air flow, again, the motor is only going to take in what it's capable of, on mine, the 5" ish factory intake tubing coming from the radiator core support is more than plenty to feed the air needed for this stock motor.
 
i run a snorkle in the winter seeeing its wet out and i fear sucking water in. It rains alot here thou and i have 38's w no wheel wells so thats why
 
I'm running a 454 stroked and bored to a 489...so the stock setup is restricting. I am currently running an open element...but want to get some cold air in there.
 
I switched from an open air deal to the stock snorkle on my old burb with a 454, cam and headers. no, loss in perfomance. did the same switch to my 82 pickup with a crate 350. runs great and get much longer air filter life. I think most CIA "systems" and open air setups are advertising gimicks.

lots of old threads here tho on the whole open air vs stock snorkle setup...
 
I would pick up a used factory CAI at a pick n' pull and try that first... I used to be into 3rd gen camaros, and many of the guys over on thirdgen.org have proven that until you get into a heavily modified motor, that the factory cold air setup will flow more than enough cfm's to feed your motor cooler air than an open element. Now many of them pull the thermac device out of the snorkel and a few other simple mods, if you do a search for tbi mods or ultimate tbi mods you should come up with a lot of info about the factory setup that could be applied to a carb as well. I wouldn't use any aftermarket kit that doesn't drawnoutside cold air, they've been proven to be no better than an open element filter...
 
I think I'll give the stock air box a go then...can't hurt to try. I will cut a hole on the plastic piece in the rad. support to give a straight shot it, then remove the air restrictions in the ducting and plug the breather hole.

One thing though, after running for a while, the box (metal) will eventually heat up, is there a way to insulate it to keep it from the engine heat?
 
One thing though, after running for a while, the box (metal) will eventually heat up, is there a way to insulate it to keep it from the engine heat?

still nothing to worry about, with the short distance the air has to travel fromthe box, to the intake, it's not going to heat up enough to affect any performance issues on your motor.

I also would not remove the forward facing baffles for the "direct air flow" again, not going to gain you anything except a higher risk of water being forced through the tubing and into the filter area, it's baffled for a reason... More than enough air can be moved through that stock CAI setup even with the baffles.
 
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what he said.....

factory setup... you'd have to be making some big ponies to need more than that can deliver.. and if you really feel the need, make a factory dual as mentioned... it's simple.. i actually have everything downstairs to make one... but i'm going with my cowl/airbox gig instead... i'll have to put that factory dual setup together and sell it in here...
 
quit BSing Ryoken and get it done, I've got first dibs:D

what he said.....

factory setup... you'd have to be making some big ponies to need more than that can deliver.. and if you really feel the need, make a factory dual as mentioned... it's simple.. i actually have everything downstairs to make one... but i'm going with my cowl/airbox gig instead... i'll have to put that factory dual setup together and sell it in here...
 
eh, it's the same as the dash biz... it's all labor being stolen from the rig..

and the rig is an evil mistress..... hmmmmm, maybe if I stop sleeping? :dunno: hard to justify the "side" stuff when i'm not back on the road yet...

actually now that i have this on the brain, i'll see about finding all the parts this weekend.. thats the hard part... :doah::whistle::haha::haha:
 
I think I'll give the stock air box a go then...can't hurt to try. I will cut a hole on the plastic piece in the rad. support to give a straight shot it, then remove the air restrictions in the ducting and plug the breather hole....

Hi,
Did you try it?
 

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