Want to change air filter...

[treetop_73]

Hey guys. I don't know much about these trucks or the engines that came in them. This is what I have under the hood, 350...

I want to change the air filter to something like this... (I borrowed this picture from moneyeater, if you want it off, let me know.)

My question is, do I need to change the carb, or just the air filter assembly? And I seem to have more hoses coming from places than most the engines I see on here. And I don't mean all the other chrome on it, just the air filter assemby but this was the first pic I found.

Thanks in advance

[harnalien]

I had the same question/confusion when I first got my truck. That is the air cleaner and it is required if you have to have emissions testing. If you don't have to have emissions, then you can just buy an air cleaner base and top and slap them on. You can get a breather for the valve cover since you'll be removing that hose with the change.

[treetop_73]

Yea, I'm in CA. Arnold is a pain in my ass here with all these damn restrictions. Didn't he once have 15 hummers?

Anyway, yes, I want the new air filter as I like the looks a lot more than the closed unit but want to know if the new carb is needed or not.

[81ratrodc10]

no they will work with stock carb just need to get a breather for your valve covers as stated above

[donut]

You shouldn't, unless the open is made for another size carb.

[Oilbrnr]

Doubt it would pass emissions in CA if you changed to an open design.

Here in Phx. I couldn't even get away with the valve cover PCV inlet breather element. They said it had to be routed to the air cleaner as stock. (otherwise the open element was OK, but the truck was a 1980 K20 that skirted the then more restrictive laws by GM upping the GVCW)

Realize too, that your stock intake is receiving a colder air delivery currently, than an open type would... You could have it plated if you're looking for some underhood bling.

[GMC Guy]

open air cleaners are pretty inexpensive. and can be installed in a few minutes. why don't you buy one, put it on. then when you need to smog, just put the stock air filter assembly back on? it's really easy

[treetop_73]

Originally Posted by GMC Guy

open air cleaners are pretty inexpensive. and can be installed in a few minutes. why don't you buy one, put it on. then when you need to smog, just put the stock air filter assembly back on? it's really easy

Thanks for the replies. I think this is the route I will take. I just wanted to make sure I didn't need the carb changed.

I'm not looking for bling, I just can't stand the look of the stock assembly. Just looks cleaner to me with the open air.

[3r!c84]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-CSUM103/?rtype=10

buy this to sine up everything!

[treetop_73]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-CSUM103/?rtype=10

buy this to shine up everything!

I was just looking at this to keep it all black
http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/...oductId=743329

But I like your price better

[3r!c84]

will loook like this

[gchemist]

Use a minimum 4" filter. If you don't, you'll choke your engine. It can run hotter and get worse MPG. The hot air in the engine will hurt performance. You'll add to it by using a small air cleaner.

[treetop_73]

I like the chrome but like the low key looking black too.

Thanks gchemist for the advice.

[CaliDude76]

Just a suggestion.... but I live in Cali too... and know all to well about the smog thing... Pops dumped a new 350 in my truck... and the stock set-up (had to leave it that way, so i won't compromise the smog reg's).. was starving the 350 to death.. what i did was, as you can see, is cut the body off of the original air cleaner... and gonna grab one from the junk-yard when i go to smog... this REALLY helped the perfomance!! I can actually hear the secondaries kick in now, and it flat moves..!!!

[treetop_73]

Looks to be the same color truck too.

I may look into that also. I tried to flip the cover but the hood doesn't close. But like I said, the look of the open air filter just looks better to me.

[Pyrotechnic]

Cool idea on cutting the lid down. Doing the math on just the filter dimensions alone, that 12x5.5 filter would have a surface area of 207 sq in. The popular 14x3 filter would have a surface area of 132 sq in. Looks like a good way to get increased air flow on the cheap.

One interesting thing to note, these trucks come with a 12x3.5 filter stock, which has a dimensional surface area of 132 sq in...the same as the 14x3 filters everyone replaces them with!

Now of course the cotton gauze K&N style filters are going to flow more which is why a reusable 14x3 will still feel like an upgrade over stock...but just some food for thought when you choose your filter. Run the tallest you can that will still let the hood close!

[gchemist]

Try a 4.5" K&N on a 305. The old 305 would scream up the RPMs to float valves!!

[CaliDude76]

yeah i noticed the color thing too... I believe its called "saddle tan".. thats what the sticker on the fender well said.... its a cool color, get lots of compliments on it

[treetop_73]

First thing the wifey said was that I needed to get it painted if it was going to be parked outside her house. She only likes white and black.

The paint is in too good a condition to warrant me painting now.

[CaliDude76]

uh oh!.. the wifey stepped in huh..LOL good luck bro!!! Hey, is that the original paint-job? I know mine has been painted only once.. since the original paint.. same color

[treetop_73]

The PO said it was original but I found evidence of it being painted. There is a spot behind the front bumper and on the cowl where the first layer of paint was missing in a spot and you can see the indention.