I have read some informataion about installing an open element air cleaner on my 1991 Firebird. Everything is still stock--I haven't had the chance to touch the 305ci TBI engine yet. I wanted to know what kind of clearance is available under the stock hood. Most people say to install a brop-base air cleaner, but will a flat-base fit? I don't want to smash it when I shut the hood. I am looking at buying the assembly from Summit Racing. Please share any information that might help me out. I appreciate it!

 

I put a open element on mine 2 5/8 inch , the bolt that comes up from underneath the air filter was a bit too long and I had to trim some of it off. It is very close and I make it a point not to slam my hood but I have no problem with it.

 

A 14"X3" non-drop open element air cleaner will clear a stock Camaro hood by a little more than 1/2". I think Firebird hoods come down a little bit lower, but I am unsure if this is true or not. The most you would have to do to get it to clear the hood would be to remove the hood insulation, but I doubt that you will have to. You will have to remove the gold spacer ring if you install a non-drop air cleaner, which isn't a bad thing.

But, when you install your non-drop air cleaner, just put some some clay or Play-doh on a piece of wax paper and set it on top of your air cleaner lid. Slowly close the hood all the way, than pop it back open and measure the height of the clay or Play-doh, and that will let you know how much clearance you have. Works perfectly.

A non-drop air cleaner will also give you the clearance you need to keep the base away from the ignition coil and other stuff on the intake that could cause problems eventually with a drop-base air cleaner.

Take it from someone who's bought 3 different air cleaners for one car, install a non-drop open element the first time and be done with it!

 

Does anyone know if the Camaro and Firebird have the same amount of clearance under the hood? I am looking at a unit that has a net height of 4 3/8 inches from the carb flange. What does this mean? Any help would be appreciated.

 

That just means that the air cleaner lid will sit 4 3/8" high from the flange (the mounting surface) that the air cleaner base sits on. It basically just tells you how tall it is.

 

I have never taken measurements myself, but every single time the issue of clearance has come up, people have said that the camaros have a bit more clearance then the 'birds.

- Justin

 

i got a holley chrome open element for 29.95 at autozone, and it worked perfect. i had removed the insulation on the hood because it was falling apart and getting little peices of it in my air filter. if you need to u can remove the insulation, IF you dont care about it. some people say it messes up the paint from the heat, but ive never seen this happen personally. just a little idea, if it fits your needs, it may help. it did for me, for clearance and looks. IMO

 

Anybody else have some insight???

 

a drop base will fit on a stock intake under the hood