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Stock air cleaner made into open-element

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Old 05-13-2010, 09:58 AM
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Stock air cleaner made into open-element

I was waiting on an order from Summit for a new air cleaner, a month later, nothing. Ended up canceling it, and still had that crappy stock air cleaner. Well, I finally got tired of looking at that eye-sore and started to rip it apart. First, I took off the neck, and measured 3 even holes (I'll get measurements later). Next, I used a cut-off wheel to remove the silencer ring (careful not to cut too deep!) and to cut out the holes. I Smoothed out the holes a little (still needs work to be even) with a file and sandpaper. After all the cutting was done, I used an electric wire wheel to remove all the paint and rust.

Here are some pictures of the finished product. (forgot to take pictures of the progress)









Certainly won't win any contests, but it gets the job done if you don't have money to spare and like to make your own. I didn't polish it, just has a nice stainless steel look. Brings in much more air. Note my filter is dirty and I need a new one.

Last edited by d00012; 05-13-2010 at 10:09 AM.
Old 05-13-2010, 12:56 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

That actually doesn't look bad at all, especially considering that its the stock unit. I think that would suck in more hot air than cold, though..
Old 05-13-2010, 01:53 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

I think that actually looks very nice
Old 05-13-2010, 04:31 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

That actually doesn't look bad at all, especially considering that its the stock unit. I think that would suck in more hot air than cold, though..
Thanks!Took only about two hours of work. Took that long because I was prepping it for paint, but decided on the stainless steel look.

The amount of air it brings in compared to stock really helps. I have felt a difference.

think that actually looks very nice
Thank you, too! I was surprised I made it come out that good. I wanted a nice aftermarket cleaner to take it to a car show to show my progress, but something is wrong with Summit lately, and so I decided to make my own!
Old 05-13-2010, 07:06 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

Anything is better than stock! Very inciteful, nice work!
Old 05-13-2010, 08:23 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

you know i was reading the topic and i was like oh god...but after looking at it. not bad at all. good job.
Old 05-13-2010, 11:39 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

Thank you thank you! It looked horrible at first, cut-off wheel made it look pretty hacked up...or I just wasn't patient enough. About 10 minutes with a file and sandpaper fixed the edges, still uneven as you can tell between the two holes. Oh well, it will do for now until I get a better one, or make this one better. It did grow on me though, has a kind of vintage look to it.
Old 05-14-2010, 03:41 AM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

That actually doesnt look too bad. Did you put any clearcoat on it to prevent rusting?
Old 05-14-2010, 07:07 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

No, not yet. But will soon.
Old 05-18-2010, 11:59 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

I opened up the hood today and found rust on it. Guess its time to put some clearcoat on it!

Couldn't find any clearcoat, just a glossy black. Looks pretty good, actually.

I will take pictures tomorrow, was poor lighting today.
Old 05-21-2010, 01:34 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

Sorry for the late pictures, bad weather creeped up on us here.

Kind of takes on a more stock look now.










Next on my list, removing that God-awful A/C and smog equipment, and then painting those valve covers glossy black as well.
Old 05-21-2010, 04:50 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

Not to hi-jack the thread, but if you're going to remove the AC equipment,
I need to replace the compressor portion of the harness, and am willing to
pay a reasonable price. PM me if interested in helping out.

thanks,
kk
Old 05-22-2010, 06:12 AM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

AWESOME JOB!!!! Im gonna try it myself!!!
Old 05-22-2010, 01:06 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

looks good, but in all reality, the stock setup picks up better air from the front of the car. Now the engine is breathing on hot air off the engine.
Old 05-22-2010, 01:16 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

It might pick up better air stock, but it can't suck in enough volume. This is just a temporary solution until I start working again.
Old 05-22-2010, 11:38 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

yup i agree with you sir. quantity is better than quality in this case. looks good.
Old 05-27-2010, 10:11 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

Looks really good? I just got an open element and was woundering what to do with the diffrent hoses that went into the stock one. The first one you can see in your top picture. if you are facing the car its to the right of the air filter. on the stock one a hose attatched it up to the intake arm. Also on the carb there is a vacuum hose or something that has no where to go on the open element. is it ok to leave that open?
thank you very much and good work with yours.
Old 05-27-2010, 10:34 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

I like that, I think I still have some stock air cleaners I could do this to!
Old 05-31-2010, 10:28 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

Originally Posted by chevyracingrox
I like that, I think I still have some stock air cleaners I could do this to!
I'm thinking of acquiring some more from pullapart and sell them.
Old 05-31-2010, 10:34 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

Originally Posted by kolski
Looks really good? I just got an open element and was woundering what to do with the diffrent hoses that went into the stock one. The first one you can see in your top picture. if you are facing the car its to the right of the air filter. on the stock one a hose attatched it up to the intake arm. Also on the carb there is a vacuum hose or something that has no where to go on the open element. is it ok to leave that open?
thank you very much and good work with yours.
I'm not too sure on the carb setup since mine is TBI. Check your emissions setup to make sure it's not an important vac line, if not, just plug it, otherwise that vacuum leak will cause problems. The crankcase ventilation (CCV) isn't connected since I cut out where it connects and I will need a filter for it before I go on long rides so I don't suck anything into the valvetrain, and I recommend you do the same. If it's that hose that comes up from the exhaust manifold, don't worry about that, it just helps warm the engine quicker.
Old 06-07-2010, 12:56 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

Not a hijack, just interjection, I drilled holes all around the outer edges of stock air cleaner lid (between the housing walls and air filter) It looks ghetto fabulous, but it LOWERED IAT temps about 8-12 degrees depending on ambient temp. I data scanned and watched the differences at idle and ripping down farm roads, makes a difference for me, pulls harder it seems, it sounds more aggressive at WOT. I have not measured during trips longer then 15 minutes though... busy watching the road.
Old 06-07-2010, 01:38 PM
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Re: Stock air cleaner made into open-element

It's amazing how much more responsive it feels with just an hour of work. And I tend to enjoy hearing it sucking in air. Still need a new filter, though.
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