Stock Air Box Mod

[oneowner88lx]

I picked up an air box from Ford Carlisle for $10 that came off a turbo coupe. It is the same as an SVO air box. So I decided to have a little fun with it and and see if I could make it flow better then the original box yet still look stock.

So I picked up a 3" mandrel bent pipe to replace the restrictive passage between air box and VAM:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-41685/

Then I took the old turbo coupe air box base and cut out the VAM tube hole to make it a full 3". The mandrel pipe was cut to size; its cut on an angle where it meets the box. Then the pipe, air box, and VAM were mocked up to ensure correct pipe to VAM alignment, tacked welded pipe and air box together, then removed air box/pipe and finish welded. The alignment of the pipe to the VAM inlet is perfect.

After grinding down welds I wire wheeled the entire assembly down, painted semi gloss black, and smeared a little black RTV around the inside of housing to further smooth it out. I took the old rubber hose that came with the turbo coupe air box, cut it down, and used it to connect pipe to VAM inlet. Mod is finished off with a new K&N drop in filter:

http://imageshack.us/g/16/airbox14.jpg/

Now instead of taking the sharp turn through the original rubber hose and restrictive inlet the air now travels through a gentle bend through a full 3" metal pipe. Car feels peppier, the turbo comes on sooner, and there is more of a whistling sound when driven. The stock air box, which has been stored away, can be swapped right back on in about 10 minutes.

[scenario]

How does it perform???

[oneowner88lx]

Feels peppier. One thing that is very noticeable is the lack of turbo lag. The turbo used to come on like an on/off switch. Now it just comes on right away with a nice smooth transition.

[Stinger]

Looks good! Certainly should help flow to some degree. Now if you could get that VAM out of the way it would really flow some air!

[oneowner88lx]

I prob won't do anything else to this SVO since its a low mile survivor. I made sure not to molest up the original box so it could be put back on later if desired. But my son is on the list for one of your ECUs for his '88 LX. Then we will get rid of that VAM on his car. Should see quite an improvement in power by getting rid of that restriction...

[MikeFleming]

Should see quite an improvement in power by getting rid of that restriction...

You will need to do other things than just remove the VAF to actually increase airflow any significant amount. Then add an appropriate amount of additional fuel to match.

[oneowner88lx]

My son's '88 LX has a lot of mods so we do expect to pick up a noticable amount of power with the aftermarket ECU.

[MikeFleming]

My son's '88 LX has a lot of mods ...

Tell us more!!

We like to hear of those sorts of things.

[oneowner88lx]

Tell us more!!

We like to hear of those sorts of things.

Mike, if you go to my web site down in my signature I have a page up there that list all the mods. Things like BoPort 1.5 cam, ported manifolds, rotated intake, T3 with .63 housing, Stringer Front Mount, Full 3" Stinger exhaust with 3" elbow, custom 3" tail pipe, etc etc. Lot of pictures on the site too....