The original setup for the air filter on the 4.9 looks, in my opinion, ugly, bulky, and cheap. If anyone has done anything else to substitute the stock 4.9 plastic air intake with something better, I would appreciate posting pictures here, or emailing me. I am thinking about installing a scoop on the decklid and maybe using a nice looking Edelbrock air cleaner.
Does anyone sell anything out there?

Thanks!
Jack

[This message has been edited by jackcastro (edited 04-21-2012).]

Don't a lot of guys use the Cadillac Allante intake on these motors? It sure looks nicer.... Not sure if I have the right motor tho.... Peace

Pete

quote Originally posted by Pete Matos: Don't a lot of guys use the Cadillac Allante intake on these motors? It sure looks nicer.... Not sure if I have the right motor tho.... Peace Pete

Yea, if you can find one, and even then it's a big PITA to swap over, everything from the heads up gets changed (so you better have the whole complete Allante engine almost) since alot of things are changed that would have been custom made before, like the fuel lines.

Otherwise, I'm not sure. I'm curious as well. I have seen different setups in this thread. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/085389.html

Not top pretty on the inside, but still cool.

------------------
11 Camaro SS/RS
86 Fiero GT
03 Silverado 3500 Duramax! (Stacked, Tuned, Mean as Hell)
07 Suburban LT2
09 Avalanche LT3

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: i'm sure i could fly a plane no problem.

quote Originally posted by mattwa: Yea, if you can find one, and even then it's a big PITA to swap over, everything from the heads up gets changed (so you better have the whole complete Allante engine almost) since alot of things are changed that would have been custom made before, like the fuel lines. Otherwise, I'm not sure. I'm curious as well. I have seen different setups in this thread. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/085389.html

The heads do not get changed. Just upper and lower intake manifold, fuel rails, throttlebody, etc. And a tune for the intake. Here was my Allante setup, I am currently swapping this engine into another car now.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/085823.html

Nate

quote Originally posted by NJD85GT: The heads do not get changed. Just upper and lower intake manifold, fuel rails, throttlebody, etc. And a tune for the intake. Here was my Allante setup, I am currently swapping this engine into another car now. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/085823.html Nate

I didn't mean change the heads. You should change to the steel rocker bridges on the heads themselves, which is what I meant.

I know exactly what you mean! The engine just looks unfinished and poorly thought out. Especially when you compare it to the stock V6 which is pleasing to look at. I'm not a fan of cheap plastic covers like on the stock 3800 sc or N*. Of course the 3800sc can be made to look very good with no cover and some fuel line re-routing. I PLAN to build a custom one-piece 4.9 intake runner which will also serve to cover much of the normal mess that is so distracting. So far I have put on 2 of the rear valve covers without the PFI V8 as I don't like the "dented" end. I also don't like using that valve cover on the firewall side of the fiero as it doesn't make sense for the words to face the wrong way. Besides, the oil filler on that side looks odd and takes away from a clean appearance. I have filed down the tapped holes that are between the ribs on the rear 4.9 valve cover to clean up the appearance and filled the holes, then painted. My oil filler is a custom made elbow that comes out the side of the valve cover in front of the oil filter housing.

This is the only pic I can find. It's of the valve cover changes (taken last year). A little bit dusty though.
The engine should be in the car within the month and I hope to post the 150 or so pics of the swap when I can figure out how to scale down the pixels so pip can post them.
EDIT: I plan on designing the intake runner so it uses the stock v6 filter can and flex hose. This way if you don't have to deal with dryer flex hose. I'm going for a clean and stock kinda look.

[This message has been edited by Reallybig (edited 04-22-2012).]

This is from Fiero Addictions site. Not sure what it is.


These are some pictures of the Allante setup. I can't find the one that I love with the teal intake.



This was an Allante setup that I had off the car just so you can see what it looks like. Adds like 20hp to the car from what I understand.

------------------
-Brian

My 87 GT Poly Suspension Upgrade (all pics) thread
Removing the roof panel

I didn't much care for the stock filter/duct either.
Here's mine with the "parts store" air filter. I'm not sure if it was an Edelbrock or a Mr. Gasket or...


And the Allante setup. Which really made a noticeable impact on the butt-dyno.

------------------
Raydar
88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550

Praise the Lowered!

Thanks to everyone who have posted. The Allante intake is great, but it would involve too much work and more investment. I like very much the picture from Fiero Addiction. Anyone has any idea which car/engine that comes from? I emailed FieroAdiction too using the link on their web site, but they do not show a phone number.
Jack

quote Originally posted by jackcastro: Is there an adaptor to raise the air cleaner? That way it opens possibilities to use some nice looking Edelbrock ones.

A lot of the Mid 90's TBI 4.3 and V8's has spacers between the TBI and the air filter housing. Here is one from a camaro:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/88-...&hash=item5ae51e5b54
http://www.ebay.com/itm/198...&hash=item1c1f55a203

Here is one I fabbed up. This swap didn't have AC, so I moved the alternator off the top side... and a host of other mods to declutter the top side:



You can also use a carb hat like this one:

What guru said!
If you use the one from the 4.3, it has the fitting for the PCV hose that now goes to the stock housing.

quote Originally posted by fieroguru: A lot of the Mid 90's TBI 4.3 and V8's has spacers between the TBI and the air filter housing. http://www.ebay.com/itm/198...&hash=item1c1f55a203

I like the aftermarket carb hats too, but they're kind of spendy.

BTW... Some vendors also sell plastic adapter rings and spacers.
Don't use them. They melt in fairly short order.

I was looking at aftermarket carb air cleaners as well at Summit Racing, they would look nice, but like Raydar said, they are pricey, at least to my microscopic budget. And it would draw all the hot air in from the engine bay, which is good for economy, but bad for performance. I'm looking for economy at the moment.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to post pictures and suggestions. I got several ideas and will be working on them the next few days. I will post some pics when finished.

I know it's not the air cleaner setup, but I figured out how to resize my pics.
This one is to show how I plan on cleaning up the trunk side of the engine. The factory stainless fuel rail lines tuck neatly down the side across the tranny while the relocated oil fill cap cleans up the valve cover clutter.


Here I have modified the thermostat housing so the heater core tube will point towards the tranny and not over the valve cover. It is also offset so the bolts are all accessible.




I also polished the oil filter housing to add some bling. It will be clear coated as the magnesium oxidizes quickly.

quote Originally posted by Reallybig: I know it's not the air cleaner setup, but I figured out how to resize my pics. This one is to show how I plan on cleaning up the trunk side of the engine. ...

Nice work!

This thread is making me want to modify my 4.9 to make it look better, damnit! I have other things to do first!! Haha.