Air intake
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 699
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From: Alamogordo, NM
Air intake I'm putting an LM4 into my '39 Chevy and have run across a small problem. When I say small I mean the engine compartment is too small! I'm trying to figure a way to put the air intake on. There is only about 6" from the throttle body to the radiator fan. Think the only way to go is like an elephant's trunk and curl it up over and back along the intake. Got to install a MAF in the line too. Any ideas?
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Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Elkridge MD
probably still possible. Just buy a 90 degree bend and cut the short side as short as you can before the bend. Or if there's any room at the firewall end, it's possible to turn the entire intake around backwards and have the TB in the back.
I bought a spectre 4" 90 with 1" and 7" legs. The short leg measures 5.2". Not withstanding the coupler, it looks to me like you might be able to use that. p/n 97990 Jegs Link to Part
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 276
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From: Mid Mo via Lancs. England
I ran into the same problem, but with even less room if I am reading it right.
I found the cobra head and all the intake stuff from these guys
http://www.intakehoses.com/
I then got a K&N filter from Ebay.
I also got a radiator with the top hose on the passenger side, and then moved the radiator forward @2". It's still a stock Rover radiator, just from a later year.
What I had
The way it is now.
This is in a 1998 Range Rover by the way.
Martin
I found the cobra head and all the intake stuff from these guys
http://www.intakehoses.com/
I then got a K&N filter from Ebay.
I also got a radiator with the top hose on the passenger side, and then moved the radiator forward @2". It's still a stock Rover radiator, just from a later year.
What I had
The way it is now.
This is in a 1998 Range Rover by the way.
Martin
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 699
Likes: 59
From: Alamogordo, NM
Thanks for the interest and suggestions. No room in back, motor is slap up against the firewall. I had a custom radiator built with connections on the pass side. Here is a picture before the radiator was in. Looks as if the only way to go is up! One way to cover a butt ugly intake.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 800
Likes: 1
From: Simi VAlley,CA
I had the same problem with my 1935 Ford...no room at the radiator so for the past 10 years I've been running a fabbed "elephant trunk" to an air box sitting on top of the intake. This has been ok but I'm in the middle of switching to an Edelbrock Victor Jr with an adapter plate to my stock throttle body mounted right on the 4150 style top of the manifold. It will be finished off with an Olds/Cad retro air cleaner and no MAF. I'm going speed density for the tune. I'll get out there and get some pictures soon, as far as performance...my tuner and my son ( a tech at a Corvette race shop) I shouldn't lose anything in the swap, it might be a little soft on the low end but it should scream on the big end. We'll see.
I ran into the same problem, but with even less room if I am reading it right.
I found the cobra head and all the intake stuff from these guys
http://www.intakehoses.com/
I then got a K&N filter from Ebay.
I also got a radiator with the top hose on the passenger side, and then moved the radiator forward @2". It's still a stock Rover radiator, just from a later year.
What I had
Attachment 454222
The way it is now.
Attachment 454223
This is in a 1998 Range Rover by the way.
Martin
I found the cobra head and all the intake stuff from these guys
http://www.intakehoses.com/
I then got a K&N filter from Ebay.
I also got a radiator with the top hose on the passenger side, and then moved the radiator forward @2". It's still a stock Rover radiator, just from a later year.
What I had
Attachment 454222
The way it is now.
Attachment 454223
This is in a 1998 Range Rover by the way.
Martin
Attachment 724171
Attachment 723026
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Same issue, but even less clearance because of a mechanical fan. Also high mounted alternator and AC compressor.
Mocked up a 180 degree elbow:
Built a fiberglass filter assembly on top of the intake.
Mocked up a 180 degree elbow:
Built a fiberglass filter assembly on top of the intake.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 699
Likes: 59
From: Alamogordo, NM
Gary, this is something we had kicked around also. We were thinking of building a vertical sheetmetal box and connecting the MAF and filter to the upper side.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 800
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From: Simi VAlley,CA
Elephant trunk OK, gonna try these pictures...I'm not too good at this PC stuff.
The elbow was made with scraps I had in the shop, mainly a couple of exhaust u-bends. I used two to try as big an air passage as I could get. This setup has been working since 2003.
You can see it is really close to the radiator and the problem is that everything gets real hot on long trips. That's why you see that "cold air intake" setup I made to pull air from the sides of the grille into the airbox. That brought my intake air temps down to an acceptable level. The IAT is in the airbox right next to the huge K & N filter.
I do all my own fabrication and Mickey Mouse engineering so feel free to comment or question what you see. As I said, it's been working actually for over 30K miles. By the way, The car ran 12.90s and 106 mph at Palmdale Raceway (3400 ft altitude) so it flows a little air.
The elbow was made with scraps I had in the shop, mainly a couple of exhaust u-bends. I used two to try as big an air passage as I could get. This setup has been working since 2003.
You can see it is really close to the radiator and the problem is that everything gets real hot on long trips. That's why you see that "cold air intake" setup I made to pull air from the sides of the grille into the airbox. That brought my intake air temps down to an acceptable level. The IAT is in the airbox right next to the huge K & N filter.
I do all my own fabrication and Mickey Mouse engineering so feel free to comment or question what you see. As I said, it's been working actually for over 30K miles. By the way, The car ran 12.90s and 106 mph at Palmdale Raceway (3400 ft altitude) so it flows a little air.
Just a note on the MAF placement. You'll want a gradual transition into the MAF so that air flow is even across the face. If it's not the ecu will give false readings. This happens often with the MAF too close to the throttle blade.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 800
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From: Simi VAlley,CA
maf hasnt been a problem I never had a concern where I placed the maf. When I switch to the Victor Jr and verticle throttle body I will use a speed density tune and forget the maf not needed
With all that room above the motor why not just put a 90* coupler on it pointing straight up with a large cone filter? Or use 2 90's and run the filter straight back towards the firewall?
I use this cheap 90* coupling.
3.75 fits the LS1 TB perfectly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350861586726...84.m1439.l2649
I use this cheap 90* coupling.
3.75 fits the LS1 TB perfectly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350861586726...84.m1439.l2649
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 800
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From: Simi VAlley,CA
90 degree 3 inch impossible No room, won't fit. No
With all that room above the motor why not just put a 90* coupler on it pointing straight up with a large cone filter? Or use 2 90's and run the filter straight back towards the firewall?
No room...won't fit
...I didn't have enough room to do that..tried those couplers but needed at least two more inches....therefore I built the elephant trunk you see. The airbox on top worked out OK. Old cars have very small but tall engine bays.
I use this cheap 90* coupling.
3.75 fits the LS1 TB perfectly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350861586726...84.m1439.l2649
No room...won't fit
...I didn't have enough room to do that..tried those couplers but needed at least two more inches....therefore I built the elephant trunk you see. The airbox on top worked out OK. Old cars have very small but tall engine bays.
I use this cheap 90* coupling.
3.75 fits the LS1 TB perfectly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350861586726...84.m1439.l2649
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 699
Likes: 59
From: Alamogordo, NM
Really good information here. Oscar, I also build evrything that I can and sometimes, well it's a little ugly. Think what I will do is use two 90s over the top and connect to the MAF then to a large K & N cone. Should stay dry but a little concerned about hot air. Like the idea of some cold air coming in. I do not have an air temp sensor (2003 Trailblazer LM4). I'll do a mock up tomorrow, post pictures and ask for more input. Thanks.
"Elephant trunk" here too... I made mine from a piece of 4" exhaust tubing, pie cut and welded back together. Been working perfect for 72k miles, well my IAT's are higher than they should be, but never really noticed any real problems with it.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 800
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From: Simi VAlley,CA
Cowl induction I have always liked the idea of cowl induction, especially on our old cars with tiny engine bays. I could use my existing cowl vent (a lot of old cars have operable vents right on the cowl). The problem is that I really like all the fresh air that comes into the car with the cowl vent open...hate to lose that feature.
Just might consider that in the future anyway.
Nice job.
Just might consider that in the future anyway.
Nice job.