BEJ

Is there any benefit to using an open air filter vs the factory dual snorkel air filter assembly? On one hand I can see the open filter allowing the engine to breathe a little better. On the other hand though, isn't the dual snorkel supposed to allow more cool air to enter the intake? Which would be beneficial.

I ask because I am trying to decide which way I will go. The engine has been modified (aluminum intake and heads) so I'm not concerned with originality. Just want to go with what will work the best.

Thanks for any replies.

Bryan

CQRT

Good points either way . . .frankly, I wouldn't think there would be much difference at all from a performance perspective- -

The aftermarket stuff might let you dress up the engine bay a bit if you wanted to use chrome valve covers, air cleaner, etc . . .

glen242

IMHO cold air is always better.

Easy Mike

GM went to closed can air cleaners due to having to meet drive by sound level requirements; not performance.

jcloving

Cold air is better. Open elements pick up all that hot engine bay air. I think there are some aftermarket snorkels that have some bling. I think BeeJay uses one on his ride.

spot99

Cool air=dense=good. Trying to outsmart the people that engineered the car=ain't gonna happen.
Let it remain the way it is.

BEJ

Ok, so then are you saying that the closed can air cleaners hurt performance?

BEJ

I agree that cold air is better, and I'm not looking so much for bling as I am just trying to go with what is best.

Easy Mike

Not really. I'm saying the switch was mandated. I agree colder air is better, but underhood temps do not get as high as folks might want to think.

The over the radiator stock induction used on later C3s worked pretty well in its day.

BEJ

So I guess the general consensus then is that the open air filter assemblies don't add any value, other than a little bling. That being the case, I think I'll stay with the stock and save the money.

Thanks to all for the replies.



Bryan

MelWff

Depends on your hood clearance, with an open element you can fit a taller filter and have less restriction to incoming air which may outway any difference in temperature. I have an older copy of this book where Holley tested the effect of element height using a 14" diameter filter.

http://www.amazon.com/Holley-Carbure.../dp/1884089283

Jedi926

I changed my stock air cleaner system to an open system this past Spring. I like it.

Tim81

I changed to a open element about a year ago, to be honest if there are performance gains with the dual snorkel unit because of cooler air I doubt you will notice the difference whats so ever. You might notice a little better gas mileage.

7T1vette

Let me put it to you this way...

If you have a 'relatively' stock engine and a stock Corvette air cleaner, it will perform just as well as if the air cleaner had an 'open' filter, but still gobbled up engine compartment air. and

If you ran some fresh air ducts onto your 'relatively' stock engine with stock air cleaner, your car would perform nearly identically to one which had an open air cleaner element with cold air induction.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it...

Moral: Spending Big Buck$ for air cleaner intakes, filter elements, etc., etc. is nearly a total waste of money. Could you gain a horsepower or two by spending $200 on super-duper filter stuff? Maybe. But, there are other things you can do to increase HP 20+ for FREE. You should start there.