On
this TPI S-10, the air cleaner ducting is connected to an air filter from a 1993
S-10 with the 4.3 V6 CPI engine, which gets cool air from in front of the radiator.
Originally, this TPI engine used an open element air filter connected directly
to the throttle body. The radiator would heat the intake air to about 200°
F on warm days.
With the system shown, the owner claims the temperature
of the air going into the engine was reduced by over 60° F. Typically, power
increases 1% for every 11° F temperature drop of the intake air due to
the increased density of the cooler air. In this application, the ducting is good
for a 5% power increase (better than using some headers!). If you look at
the TBI trucks and the ZZ3 truck shown in the introduction, you will see that
they have ducting to the cooler outside air.
Another benefit from using
the ducting and the air cleaner shown is that it substantially reduces intake
noise compared to an open element air filter.
More information on air cleaner
ducting and where to get it is in JTR's Chevrolet TPI & TBI Engine Swapping
manual — See next section below (ordering information
is in the back of this manual). The ducting shown, from the throttle body to the
air cleaner assembly are: 4x3.5x90, 3x90, 3x90, 3x45, 3x45.
Air Cleaners and Ducting—from
book: Chevrolet
TPI & TBI V-8 Engine Swapping
The rubber ductng shown above can be trimmed or stretched to accomodate a wide
variety of installations. 1" long pieces of the aluminum tubing can be placed
inside the elbow to form the cross-section into a desired shape. For example,
it is often necessary to flatten, or ovalize the ducting for clearance reasons.
When connecting rubber pieces together, 2" long pieces of aluminum tubing
work well as a splice.
Air Cleaner Ducting
We
have found that the only way to make a car run cool while towing is to use an
engine-driven fan. Electric cooling fans just don't make the grade when towing
heavy loads up hills. The ducting shown accomodates an engine-driven fan and is
flexible enough to allow for normal engine movement. The car shown below is a
1981 Chevrolet Malibu (G-Body). The parts used are listed below the photograph. |
