Awkward rip in the air intake elbow right underneath the hose clamp. I'm strapped for cash so what cheap fixes can I do to this real quick? The car is running bit sluggish from it. I thought I could duct tape it real quick but it's an awkward fold of the intake so tape might not work that well. Could I use Permatex #2 form-a-gasket there? I'm being especially careful hence asking you experienced guys first. I don't want anything foreign being pulled into the block.

 

What year is the car? A rip in the elbow lets air bypass the MAF sensor (94-97). That screws up the fueling.

 

It's a 94 Z28. Bone stock.

I just did my first Optispark job on it and immediately got worried because it was running sluggish; feels like it lost some power. I was hearing a weird air winding sound too so I opened the hood up and saw the nice rip in the elbow.

 

difficult part/area to repair with tape but it may "reduce" some of the un-metered air entering the motor

Try contacting a salvage yard. If you could find one, should be around $5-$10

Maybe someone in FS section has one

RTV or other type sealant...I would be cautious of getting any sucked in motor.

 

I wouldn't seal anything like that as I would worry about it getting sucked into the engine.

Would it be possible to cut a plastic patch, say from an antifreeze jug or something similar, put it over the rip and then duct tape over it? I would make the patch a few inches wider than the rip.

That is the first thing that came to mind, not knowing how awkward of a spot it is to get to.

 

Another idea is to use thin gauge aluminum (ala HomeDepot) and cut a strip that is the width of the flat area of the elbow where the clamp is (TB side). And clamp it using the original clamp. It should definitely help.

Putting the elbow on the TB correctly can be awkward. I've resorted to disconnecting the MAF side and putting my hand inside the elbow to guide the bottom of the elbow/TB fitting to avoid tearing it.

 

Good ideas! Yeah my car has seen a few winters and is getting fragile. And you're right, that intake elbow is especially annoying to get on the TB when it starts to warp from old age.

 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/t...DeUaAuMq8P8HAQ