Air intake cover
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
The stock air filter housings are very restrictive, i generally pull em in favor of a 14"x4" open air filter which are much more free flowing, so unless you're going for an original factory look i'd say go with the open element filter.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
A disadvantage to aftermarket open elements is that while they are less restrictive, all they can draw in is warm underhood air. Stock air cleaners have the advantage of drawing in only cooler outside air, hence being closed.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
That's not too big of a concern living in Montana where the winters seem to last for 9 months lol.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 747
Likes: 26
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
Unless the air cleaner is greatly resitricted, the volume of air that a stock air cleaner is capable of flowing is more than adequate.
Open element air cleaners are more for show, than go. Most stock air cleaners are capable of more than enough air flow for stock engine applications.
It would require a carb of greater than 1000 CFM to exceed the flow capabilities of a stock snorkel on a closed filter asssembly. That snorkel is about as large in diameter as the throat of the carb itself.
Cool points for open element air cleaners, but watch out for the street racer that still has a closed unit.
Chances are that there is a real sleeper there!
Plenty of guys like the look of the stock air cleaner, and will take a snorkel from another air cleaner assembly, and mount it to the existing housing to double the amount of air flow. Then they plumb some air duct to an outside area for a ram air effect. Looks nice, very functional, and real stock looking.
This is only an option if stock is the look you are after.
Open element air cleaners are more for show, than go. Most stock air cleaners are capable of more than enough air flow for stock engine applications.
It would require a carb of greater than 1000 CFM to exceed the flow capabilities of a stock snorkel on a closed filter asssembly. That snorkel is about as large in diameter as the throat of the carb itself.
Cool points for open element air cleaners, but watch out for the street racer that still has a closed unit.
Chances are that there is a real sleeper there!
Plenty of guys like the look of the stock air cleaner, and will take a snorkel from another air cleaner assembly, and mount it to the existing housing to double the amount of air flow. Then they plumb some air duct to an outside area for a ram air effect. Looks nice, very functional, and real stock looking.
This is only an option if stock is the look you are after.
