81-82 bumpers - cold air intakes!

[gchemist]

I started to clean and install an 81-82 bumper yesterday. I found some plastic air intake ducts at a performance shop here in Austin. Once the bumper is bolted, holes will be cut so the Ram Air Box connection is complete.

[ocbaud]

looks cool man

maybe soon you will get it ready for paint?



i'm still shocked as hell that it doesnt have the 305 of fury anymore

[Pyrotechnic]

Good idea. Should show some gain over a plain open element since that underhood air is pretty hot.

[gchemist]

The bumper has the holes way out to the ends. I was hoping to route the hose inward. The bracket is the problem. Once I bolt it on, I'll have to cut the fender wells. Another problem may end up being the length of duct tube needed to reach the box. I'll have time to work on it next week. Only the electrical wiring remains after the air box. All the fluid lines are connected. I'm getting excited about starting it up with open headers!!

[Pyrotechnic]

Might be easier to put the ducts in the plastic air dam instead ?

[abebummy26]

Hmm this is giving me ideas I have a 81-82 bumper on my 83 hmm

[N2TRUX]

I could save you guys a lot of work, but you really don't want to hear what I know about this....

[Ric83]

Hey G, what do you plan to do with the holes in the bumper? Will you be leaving them open or installing some kind of grillle/mesh?

[gchemist]

I'm installing some grill mesh. The kind that looks like a BBQ grill. Austin Performance was out chrome stuff. I'll try the grill mesh for a while. I may try to find a machinist to make me something cool out of metal. I nice little bowtie would be nice.
If I have time to work on this week, I'll post some pictures.

Anyone here have machinist skills?

[abebummy26]

If I had a shop class this semester. I could help you out but I don't.

[gchemist]

The intakes are installed!!




A little wiring and the bumper will be bolted on!!

[Malo83]

Looking Good G-man

[bagged81]

Theroy sounds nice, but I'm not sure it's worth the trouble as far as power gains go. Now, if you had an LS1 in there, it might be a different story.

[gchemist]

I am not shooting for big gains. Looks are my goal. No one on several boards has ever tried a 91 grill with ram air box. The looks are what win trophies! Any amount of cold air is better than under the hood hot air. If I push decent MPG it will be well worth it. The ZZ4 needs to breath all it can take.

[Ivan D.]

Gerardo, how did you make them holes in the bumper?

[bigblock79]

why don't you just use the holes in the rad support were the factory did they are 2 holes you just have to cut one side.

[Palf70Step]

I like the look of that. Nice job!!

[bagged81]

Originally Posted by Ivan D.

Gerardo, how did you make them holes in the bumper?

The '81 and '82 trucks had turn signals in the bumper (note the title under my avatar). He wont be using them a signals though since his are in the grill.

[Ivan D.]

Originally Posted by bagged81

The '81 and '82 trucks had turn signals in the bumper (note the title under my avatar). He wont be using them a signals though since his are in the grill.

That's what I thought too, but since the bumper in his first pic in the thread ain't got them I though he may have actually cut them himself, which would make him a real good fabricator

[gchemist]

Bigblock79,
The 91 grill support does not have the cut out holes. The side by side headlights and the bezels cover up any usable area.
If you click on the first picture and hit slide show, the slide show displays trucks with lights in the 81-82 bumpers. If I finish up the wiring today, I will be cutting the fender wells for the tubing.
Stay tuned for more pictures.

[Ric83]

Looking good G. Keep up the progress and the pix coming.

[gchemist]

Hey, want to come over and help me start her up next week. I am going to need some help to prime, oil and crank her up. Oh, I need someone to hold the camera too!!

[gchemist]

Update: the bumper is installed!!


Cutting the fender wells is not going to be easy. I nearly twisted my hand off with the new 1/2 drill. I'm going to the air saw instead.

[PhilaTruck]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I could save you guys a lot of work, but you really don't want to hear what I know about this....

N2Trux: Uncle, uncle. I'd like to know. Can you either PM me or post what you know about this?

Gchemist: Easy question. Where are you sourcing the 4" hose?

Thanks-

-Todd

[Ivan D.]

Originally Posted by gchemist

Cutting the fender wells is not going to be easy. I nearly twisted my hand off with the new 1/2 drill. I'm going to the air saw instead.

Yep, that's why you don't use the side-handle it came with unless you're drilling through something relatively soft - if drill gets stuck handle will come right around and hit you on top of the wrist, it hurts a lot and can sometimes lead to a trip to the doctor's office.