Air Cleaner Fabrication

[98Dak408]

When I originally modified a tunnel ram intake to work with EFI, the quickest air cleaner that I could find to fit were these small ones. However, the engine lost about 24 rear wheel horsepower IIRC with them in place. So, I have decided to make one myself utilizing a larger filter element.



I have decided to use a Viper K&N element since it has much greater surface area than the two small air cleaners. It is a tight fit beneath the hood but I think I can make it work. I will also have to cut out some of the hood bracing so the air has a clear path to the air cleaner. One tricky thing will be holding the filter down without punching air cleaner studs through the filter.

[99dart]

Sounds interesting. My thought process went to making it a slide-in assembly. Kind of like you slide a furnace filter into place.

[98Dak408]

Sounds interesting. My thought process went to making it a slide-in assembly. Kind of like you slide a furnace filter into place.

That's a thought. The thing that I am pondering most is how to hold the air cleaner box down on the throttle bodies and still make it a quick removal and reinstall. I could use nylon lock nuts beneath the element on a stud, but I still don't like the idea of a nut or fastener that could fall into the engine. I have another idea that may work. I just have to figure out how to make it. lol

[98Dak408]

In order to mount the air cleaner, I’ve considered the two types of OEM air cleaner clamping systems.

I don’t think I have enough head room for the aluminum type that uses the throttle body bolts to hold it down.





The stainless steel OEM clamp will allow for easy removal and installation, as long as I can make a mounting flange for it. I made a partial test flange out of sheet metal, to see how it will hold, and it seems like it will do the trick.

[Duner]

I like the idea!

[Duner]

I would think an aluminum pan shape with sides that came up to encapsulate the filtered air plenum would be fairly easy to produce. You could make a pinch plate to capture the filter or create a channel for the element to slide into.

[98Dak408]

I like the idea!

You mean the furnace filter type slide in set up?

[98Dak408]

I would think an aluminum pan shape with sides that came up to encapsulate the filtered air plenum would be fairly easy to produce. You could make a pinch plate to capture the filter or create a channel for the element to slide into.

I was originally thinking of a box type air cleaner with the filter element fitting in from the top. It would be a snug fit and the engine vacuum would help keep the element seated.

[99dart]

Ram's use a clamp around the TB, right? That would be one way. I replaced one of the a/c bracket bolts with a stud to help secure my big fresh air fiberglass housing that fits up tight to the hood. I wasn't real confident in a piece of all-thread as a single hold down. Could your pan/housing be locked down to a couple of bolt/stud replacements outside the filter/engine intake assy? Also, with a slide in filter could you then fab a "hinged" channel/door to keep the filter from sliding out? You would need something to keep the filter from being sucked tight against the top of the TB also wouldn't you? Just throwing thoughts against the wall to see if anything sticks! LOL

[98Dak408]

Yeah, I got the stainless clamp off a Ram. I suppose I could bolt the hold-down to something else, but it may not be as clean looking as just the air cleaner sitting on top by itself. For the air box, I may mock-up different variations in cardboard to see how it might look. And I believe I may need some small tube installed to support the filter element from being sucked down by the engine vacuum. I have a tentative design plan, but it is not carved in stone. My college French teacher used the acronym KISS, “Keep It Simple Sweetheart:” My shop teacher was a little blunter. He used to say, “Keep It Simple Stupid” In any event, I try to follow that saying as best I can. lol

[98Dak408]

The filter element is pretty stout supported on two sides, so four sides will be even better. I may only put one support brace widthwise beneath the filter element, midway between both throttle bodies.

[98Dak408]

I made a test riser out of sheet metal that will allow me to fasten the air cleaner to the throttle body.

[9t9-5.2]

A dual 4 version of the Dodge 6 pack would look good.

[98Dak408]

A dual 4 version of the Dodge 6 pack would look good.

Something to think about.

[98Dak408]

Made and installed both risers. I may have to make them taller for ease of installation, but I don't have a whole lot of head room unless I extend the air box up into the scoop area a little more. Got to give that some thought.

[98Dak408]

Made a tentative cardboard template to see how things might time out, and where dimension adjustments may be needed.

[Duner]

Good to see progress!

[98Dak408]

Good to see progress!

Thanks man! Figuring it out as I go.