Hello........

At our Gateway Fiero Club meeting last week, we got on the subject of air intakes. I told the group that I had modified mine for $8 and was surprised to find that all were interested but, no one had done this to their car or had thought of the idea. I thought I would share.
The idea is simple: replace the air box with a pipe. The cheap part is that you can get the items at Home Depot for $3.06 (two are needed) plus tax. Below is a lis of what you need:

1. Two 3" dia. "articulating" 90 degree elbows
2. 2 Short 1/8" aluminum rivets
3. 3" hose clamp (I think just one)
4. Hand tools (hammer, flat screw driver, rivet gun)
5. A drill and small bit.

The pictures below show the process:

The tools and parts



Drill out this rivet on the first 90 degree elbow



Open the joint and seperate the sections



Drill out this rivet on the second 90 degree elbow



Attach the two longer tubes


Use the aluminum rivet


Tap down sharp edges


The result should be about 11.5" to 12" long. More on the next post..........

[This message has been edited by R Runner (edited 08-13-2006).]

To install it, you will need to remove the air cleaner box, rear wheel, fender liner (pull it back) and the outside air intake grille.

Since I installed mine some time ago, all I have are pictures of the finished product however the procedure is something like this....

1. Remove the air filter box
2. Remove the DS rear wheel
3. Remove the forward side of the wheel liner
4. Remove the outside air intake grille
5. Remove the air (water trap) box
6. Put in the new tube. Rotate the sections for the best fit. Use some 3" hose clamps if possible.
7. Put it all back together







A few tips. It might be a good idea to use an oil type air filter. I have never had a problem with water getting in to the engine, but then again I have always used a K&N. I don't think this will be a problem. Also, make sure you get galvanized air duct for the hardware store. It will last (as you can see from the installed photos. Install the smooth edge toward the outside of the car.

If you want to make a second one, just put the two short sections together (with a rivet) and connect to another 90 degree elbow from the harware store. They just slide into each other. Actually that is what is in my car before I discovered the easier way to do it described in the previous post.

All of the sensors should be fine. They mount above this tube.

BTW, if you are going to the Gateway Fiero Cookout on September 10th, and you want one of these, let me know. I'll sell you one for the cost of material and help you install it.

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Paul

Home Built Tube Chassis IMSA Race Car - 3.8 lb./hp | DAILY DRIVER and PROUD OF IT! 1987 Fiero GT 130,xxx, 3.1 motor, HHP swaybar, Full poly..... For a full history of the Fiero SS: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/789315

Well looks like I have a project for tomorrow.

That is too simple to not do it.

Thanks

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85GT 5spd ,93 Eldorado 4.9 Dual O2 Custom Chip, Archie Clutch. Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything 245/50/16's Not Your Average 4.9 Capt Fiero Com --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Stock.

Just curious. Where is the filter, or do you use one?

Arn

The only thing you replace is the air box. The air filter and the canister it is held in stays stock.
The purpose of this mod is to reduce the air flow problems in the intake by eliminating the "water trap" box. If you have already done an exhaust mod to improve flow, this change should improve both HP and fuel mileage.
There is a sensor in the rubber boot between the air box and the filter canister. This piece stays sock as well.

Oh yea. Don't forget to clean the air filter canister before putting it back together. They get pretty dirty.

I don't know, maybe everyone knows about this mod already. The first (and usualy least expensive) rule of hot rodding is to improve breathing. Remove stock restrictions in the intake and exhaust. "Free" hp. After all, the engine is just a big air pump.

Paul

Couldn`t you just use the aluminum dryer flex tube they have at Home Depot instead of the 2 elbows. The flex tube comes in many size diameters and could be streached to what ever length you need.

cool ...a 4 inch flexible expandible aluminum dryer vent hose works real good too

quote Originally posted by mickeyswing52: Couldn`t you just use the aluminum dryer flex tube they have at Home Depot instead of the 2 elbows. The flex tube comes in many size diameters and could be streached to what ever length you need.

That's exactly what I did about 15 years ago on my GT. I think I spent about $5.00 in parts. I Left the air canister where it's suppose to be,

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got boost? L67 in progress...

any gains in performance or sound?

It's too bad that the Fiero already has a cold air intake that's more than enough for eather stock engine...

quote Originally posted by mickeyswing52: Couldn`t you just use the aluminum dryer flex tube they have at Home Depot instead of the 2 elbows. The flex tube comes in many size diameters and could be streached to what ever length you need.

Here's a better idea. Go to Pep Boys (or other auto parts store). They sell flexible air cleaner duct hose. Get the 3" dia. hose and use it. Remove the water diverter and clamp the hose to the base of the OEM air filter canister. Then all you need to do is attach it to the fender vent. On my car I took a piece of 3" dia. PVC pipe about 2" long and stretched the rubber grommet in the fender vent over the PVC. I then clamped the grommet and the flex duct to the PVC pipe.

Also, for a little extra Rodney sells a kit that has a very nice fiberglass piece that attaches to the fender to connect the hose to. I'd have gone with that if he had it available when I did mine.

quote Originally posted by mickeyswing52: Couldn`t you just use the aluminum dryer flex tube they have at Home Depot instead of the 2 elbows. The flex tube comes in many size diameters and could be streached to what ever length you need.

I guess you could. I prefer this type because it is rigid and has a smooth inside.

No offense but isn't this a home build of Rodney's version?

I never saw Rodney's kit before, but yes, it looks like the same idea.

Anyway, the idea is a better air intake for under $10. People have been doing this mod for a long time. I'm guessing since 1984.

Paul