I am looking into getting an open element for my girlfriends 90' Formula TBI. I was looking in Summit but I do not know which one to get since the listings are not specific. So what is the best/cheapest one? Thanks.

 

i wouldn't get an open elemeny air cleaner because you will just be sucking in hot air.If i had that set up i would go with a dual snorkel and run some hoses off it to get that cooler air.just my 2 cents

 

stevem is right, w/ open element there may be an almost unlimited amount of flow potential, but you'll be sucking in all that hot air right off the engine. Not what you want for performance. Dual snorkel is going to be the better of the two.

 

i disagree about it not being worth it, but i agree about the hot air issue. i had one on my 91 RS and i did not notice any increase in temp. and i believe it did help me a little bit, probably about 5-10 hp at most. it is definitely worth doing in my opinion, and dont bother ordering it. just go down to you local parts store (advanced auto is where i got mine) and pick up an open element system, i forgot the specs but i believe it has to be non drop base and no more than 3" tall. If possible, get the Holley one, thats the one i got and i had no problem installing it.

 

I didn't say it wasn't worth it period. Anything is better than the stock single snokel intake. There's going to be an improvement with open element. I was just saying that with dual snorkel intake you get twice the flow of the single snorkel and the air still remains cool at the same time, which may give you a little more gain than the open element. However, if you wanted the open element look and better flow than stock then by all means do it! And 91formws6 is right, those are usually more expensive ordering it than if you went to a parts store and bought it.

 

What you need for the TBI is a generic 14" air cleaner with a 1" drop base and a 14x3" filter. You won't have any problem clearing the hood. Just go to the local parts store...you won't have to wait or pay for shipping.

 

Sounds good. I think I will try to do that this weekend.

 

Get the non drop 14x3 base. If you take off the air cleaner spacer the non drop will work fine. Its definitely probably the first mod to a tbi car anyone should do.

 

by changing the entire air cleaner he might run into IAT sensor, PCV connector problems. You could just buy a K/N high flow filter that will fit right in the stock air cleaner assemble and it will add 10-15 hp.

 

Is there somewhere that I can get some good instructions on taking off the TBI unit? I want to do some of the free mods. I haven't really found anything that is really helpful. Thanks.