Drop base air cleaner??

Ok does anyone know if you will make anymore power if you use a drop base of a flat base for the air cleaner?? I have heard opinons going both ways on the matter and i was wondering if anyone has any dyno experience on it or any other info. Thanks guys

Flat will give you more. It does set down on the carb restircting air flow.

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On 2007-01-14 00:34, dacofa wrote:
Flat will give you more. It does set down on the carb restircting air flow.
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Agree that the flat one should give you more.

Which ever you use, be sure that there is at least 1 1/4" at all points between the top and the bottom of the housing when the filter is installed.
[addsig]

Drop base are often used to fit a taller manifold under a stock hood, or using a carb spacer
[addsig]

Most important, you want a 3 inch elliment, and 14 inch diameter, or you will have more restriction from the elliment then any other aspect.

FActory ram air only adds 5 - 10 HP, I can't imagine a flat verses drop down is measurable on engines under 400 HP.

Not the answer to the question you asked ... but closely related.

The "best" base, opening, transition to your carb would be a funnel. With proper shape, proper lenght - it would not only allow a clear unobstructed path to the carb, it would act as a venturi, might even increase horsepower throughr ram effect.

The further get away from the idealized version, the less benefit you get. A drop base causes the airflow to turn to get into the carb mouth...which is not what you want to do - if you can help it. Also, most people who use them, as mentioned, are trying to fit a larger filter in a limited space; due to hood clearence or other packaging issues.

Bottom line - A raised funnel is better; a flat base is OK - a well designed drop base is a crutch that can allow you to run a decent sized airfilter (3+ inches) even when you have clearence issues.

A drop base (almost by definition-see note below*) reduces the distance from the top of the carb to the lid of the air cleaner ... I had to fabricate a drop base for my cold air intake and ended up then having to fabricate the lid to allow for more space (differnt shape) to let the air get into the carb.

*If you use a drop base because of "lack of" hood clearance ... that means the mouth of the carb is too high in the bay and the lid of your air cleaner MUST be lowered ... can definately cause an air flow restriction above the carb and below the lid ... Been there and done that [img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
[addsig]

Thanks for the info guys, so would a filter top help power if i was useing a cowl induction hood??

Redneckracer21

Short answer ... yes ... assuming a Drop Base

That's about the only "sure fire" way around the issue with a Drop Base ... without regard to the cowl induction, but anything to allow for unimpeded air flow just about has to be a good thing.
[addsig]

Thanks again everyone, I already have an Xtreme filter top, and a cowl induction hood, I think I am going to go with a 3 inch filter with a flat base. It should all fit. Thanks again.