Help with air cleaners

[1Fine69]

Hey i tried to put this in the best area i could so forgive me if its in the wrong forum. I ordered 3 different air cleaners 2 from k&n and 1 from edlebrock. I know some flow better than others and some look terribly ugly. How much difference can an air cleaner that has all sides open make opposed to one that has a chrom top and just sides to suck the air? Can i have some opinions on which looks the best under the hood while still having the best performance? here are some pics under the hood and of just the air cleaners.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/05/fullkn-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/05/chromkn-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/05/brock-1.jpg

in the car...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/05/chromein-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/05/fullin-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/05/brockin-1.jpg

[6'9"Witha69]

I like the filter lid best myself and makes a BIG difference when you have a cowl hood especially when you seal it to the hood.

[62wagon]

On looks alone, lose the triangle Edelbrock and pick from the two K&N air cleaners. JMO

Mark

[1Fine69]

if it fits....then the filter lid wins. my dad lieks the edlebrock but thats because hes OLD!

[zbugger]

Just a warning on the Edelbrock filters as pictured above. They've been known to go up in flames with a nice backfire through the carb. I've witnessed it once and now I can't stand the things. I'd say stick with the filter lid as long as it fits. Are you sure you can't get a larger drop base filter on there?

[Matt@RFR]

Just a warning on the Edelbrock filters as pictured above. They've been known to go up in flames with a nice backfire through the carb.

Same here, plus, on a measly 425hp 355, when tuning accelerator pump circuit, I'd blip the throttle and watch the filter element get sucked down towards the carburetor.

Those things catching on fire is a good thing...it's the only way they'll flow enough to support 300hp. Worst air cleaner ever.

[1Fine69]

haha thank god i wouldnt let my dad put it on there. the fit is extremely close and i was told not to change the drop to much because it will affect the performance alot. i think with my cowl hood it should be ok. if it isnt.......then what lol

[Matt@RFR]

if it isnt.......then what lol
Stainless mesh and no dirt roads. :)

[Fuelie Fan]

I think this has been posted on here before, but just in case

http://www.autoblog.com/2005/09/07/how-well-do-k-n-air-filters-work/

I don't know if your car is a daily driver or not, but you may want to consider using a paper filter daily and swapping to K&N for showing

[Marty G Cars]

I like the filter lid too. By the way, when you tuned in your motor what was the total timing for your advance 32, 34, 36 or maybe even 38 degrees?

[1Fine69]

it was 36 and im going to just hope the kn fits. its definately not a dialy driver. shows and back and to school when some gt mustang kids need to be put in their place. i just hate having to run such a small cleaner because of the world manifold height

[CarlC]

There is no such thing as too much air filter. The taller the element, the better.

The K&N filter, as tested by David Vizard, is an excellent product.

Beware of using a drop base filter on a Holley that still has the choke horn. Remove the air cleaner top and place a straight edge across the top of the filter element. In many cases the 1-1/2" drop base setups barely clear the top of the choke horn and can significantly reduce overall airflow.

[1Fine69]

very valuable information, thanks guys. filter top it is

[BonzoHansen]

Carl, I had that happen to me, and it was one of those things that was so simple I missed it. Got the car to run great open carb. Put the ac on, stumbled & idled crappy. Damn AC.

That traingle thinig is awful. Please do not use it!

[CarlC]

I got stung by the same thing. I put a filter top on the car and suddenly it ran better. Humm, why is that? The filter top was letting more air in.

However, a filter top is not a cure. There is not enough filter in the area above the choke horn to allow adequate air flow. Either raise the filter up with a spacer, or cut off the choke horn. I elected to do some of both by using a 1/2" spacer (needed for air cleaner to cowl hood sealing) and by hand-grinding off the choke horn.

[trackrat79]

Anything over a three inch element is just for looks. The airflow path is more important than the volume. I recomend the speedwaymotorsports spun aluminum airfilter setup and the internal cone that goes with it. Its called the speedway sure seal housing and airlfow insert. http://speedwaymotors.com

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/aspx/path.2005/img.91011000_L/deptId.110/displayId.1601/qx/ProductLargeView.htm) https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/aspx/paging.yes/dept_id.110/display_id.4902/qx/Product.htm)
I put these on my 406 and noticed an improvemnet in the must important place. MY but. It looks preaty good too.

[1Fine69]

i cant go over 3 inches thats the thing. the k&n is ctually lower. i also cant go above 14 inches because of the distributor height. thats the reason i wanted to get a good flowng filter because of the lack of height and width i can run

[1Fine69]

how about this...pops found it. it seems it would increase horspower some as well.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=KNN%2D85%2D8927&N=4294925239+400171+4294839057+4294887855+115&autoview=sku

[trackrat79]

Try looking at some of the cold air kits that relocate the filter to the fenderwell. That will probly be your best bet.

[BonzoHansen]

This site (http://www.chevymonkey.com/scumaros.html) proves why the triangle thing is a bad call. :)

[1Fine69]

haha im not going to be associated with THAT