Air cleaner assembly restriction?

[68 Stang]

The air cleaner assembly on a '98 Bonne is a very small hole. I was wondering if it would harm anything if I "opened" it up to it's full potential. If I did this, would it harm the car, and would it add any better gas mileage for breathing better? Here is a lame way to show you what is going on.




I know this doesn't show much, but the blue resembles the air, the orange, is the filter, and the black is what I would like to cut out, to help this thing breathe. so, where the blue is, is the only places where air is getting through. I apologize for the crap drawing.

[Flatrater]

Truthfully dude I wouldn't mess with it! GM made it a certain size for a reason. The amount of air being sucked in is measuered by the MAF sensor and the computer adjusts the fuel to meet a certain ratio of air to fuel. So more air more fuel.

[skidog1156]

I have a 1990 Ponitac Bonneville SE, and I noticed the same issue, a 2 inch intake. I solved this issue with a K&N cone filter. Basically I removed the whole OEM airbox assembly (be careful not to harm the MAF sensor, just unscrew it.) So what I was left with was the "slinky" hose attached to the throttle body. Then I took a piece of 3" diameter X 3" long PVC, and used it as a coupler between the slinky hose, and this 90 degree rubber hose thing. I think it was meant to couple steel pipe plumbing but it met my needs. I also found that it worked out all to well to screw the MAF sensore into the PVC pipe. Now I have a 1 1/2 ft. arm sticking out of the throttle body, curving to a 90 dg angle. I took the K&N filter and coupled it to the elbow with another piece of 3" PVC and some hose clamps. If you really want to make it look pretty, use chrome piping and the couplers made for it. I didn't have the time or money to get my own pipe pieces so I used what the hardware store had. Remeber to measure your throttle body opening, and the filter, so you know what type of piping sizes to use. 3" is usually the standard size. Check out the pic, or else look at other cold air intakes for some ideas. As long as you put in the MAF sensor somwhere between the filter and the throttle body, you will be OK. Enjoy the amazing power increase!

[68 Stang]

Thanks, but what about the gas mileage, increase or decrease?

[FFrank]

I have a 93 Bonneville on dual fuel. Propane/Gasoline and whoever installed the propane system mounted the vaporizer directly under the airfilter box and it eventually cracked. The part is $650 Cdn new and the junk dealer wanted $125. K&N doesn't make a filter specifically for the bonneville but I did exactly the same thing the guy in the previous reply did and after dishing out $75 dollars for the filter and a 3" pvc elbow and some hose clamps was back in business. I just drove from Canada to Mexico fully loaded and was getting 22 miles/us gallon with gasoline on the interstate at 75-80 mph which I would consider pretty good. I didn't exactly notice much in way of a power increase though.

[markwb]

You won't notice any mpg increase.

[jones99]

FYI- K&N now lists a replacement filter for the bonny's US$69
also, Fram has a new cotton (k&n like) filter for them. walmart had for US$45