Made me spit coffee across my desk. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

After a little searching for a heavy-wall pipe for the air inlet from the throttle body to the blower, a nice piece of 6061 tubing was found..... 2.5"OD x 2.0"ID. It'll be bore milled to ~2.20"ID to match the cast elbows and throttle body bores:


If the formula I'm using is correct, air velocity and pressure losses should be fine for the desired HP with the OE diameter system.... if not, I have a larger throttle body from a 3.5L and will make another (larger) air inlet system.

Frank

Since the fresh air inlet is moving to the driver side, the mounting brackets must be removed from the air filter housing in order to relocate it to the driver side. The spot welds were drilled with a spot weld bit. The drain hole at the lower right will be plugged and another drilled for drainage on the other side of the housing:


New mounts will now have to be made to fit the driver side inner fender.

Frank

The fun continues (slowly). To get air into the filter housing, a 3 1/8" hole saw was used to cut an opening into the driver side inner fender wall (the hole really is round, but the wall isn't flat):

A 3" cast aluminum elbow is marked for mounting ear tabs (to be welded on and bolted through the inner fender with the mounting flanges located on the outside of the inner fender - the elbow will later be inserted through the parking light opening):

Minor grinding opens the hole enough to insert the elbow:

One of 2 mounting brackets is made (not yet final shaped or drilled for inner fender mounting) and another will be required at the closed end of the housing for support. A notch was cut in the housing lip so the cover can be rotated 180 degrees for upper positioning of the MAF electrical connection:

The transition section of a spare air duct (thanks MarkG) was trimmed to connect the elbow to the filter housing inlet and will be secured with stainless worm screw band clanps:

This relocation of the filter housing has been the most difficult part of the project to date. The space is tight and the location of parts for alignment is critical. The time consuming part is determining the shape and attachment points for brackets that are on the bottom of the housing where you can't see what needs to be done.... I've spent a lot of time moving the housing in and out of the engine bay, staring at it, measuring with my fingers and finally making a SWAG that looks like it'll work. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> I now need to weld the mounting tabs on the elbow and get that installed before I can mount the filter housing.

I keep telling myself that I really do want a blower. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Frank

Frank, I need to get you REAL INTERESTED in my next project....

Whazzat and why? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Frank

Because you do real nice work, even if you overkill it a tad. I'd have just cut up the old air can to flange the bottom with the 'lectronics in it to a custom air box made of sheet metal, if I didn't just bungee cord a plate on the air filter to hold it in place and seal the outer end...

Yeah, it's a curse. I'd have never thought of your solution.... it's entirely too simple and practical. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Frank

Some things are certainly frustrating. The "real" blower arrived today... it's a beautiful piece of work, but the nose drive is 7/8" longer than what I specified:

Nice looking rotor pack with Teflon coated rotors:


I guess tomorrow they'll get to decide whether they want to send another nose drive and some oil or if they'd rather send another S/C along with a pickup ticket for this one. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

On the positive side, the blower outlet plenum is almost finished.... it's a beautiful piece also.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />... still have to clean up the port edges, drill/tap for the S/C plate mounting studs and bead blast it for a nice cosmetic finish.... delays here after the spindle bearing on the old Bridgeport mill burnt and had to be replaced..... not too surprising if you could see the pile of aluminum chips about 2' deep x 6' across. There's now a couple hundred dollars of scrap aluminum on the floor..... and more to come. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Today saw a '58 Chevy Implala 348 Tri-Power leave the shop with a fresh engine, rebuilt 700R4 and a rebuilt posi-traction rear end.... a beautiful red car. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Frank

Nice work on the air <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />