I have a 93 Eldo with the 4.9 and I was wondering if i could put a good ole fashioned chrome open element circle air cleaner on this engine. Well I know it could be done but is it a good idea or not? I did this for my '87 HT4100, The reason I would like to do this is to get rid of all the old duct work and air box so I can see the engine better all the time, plus I know its restrictive. So is it a good idea or a bad one? And I have also seen HEI upgrade kits on Summit, I was wondering if this would do any good as well? :cool2:

Have you considered an FIPK or similar from K&N? I'm happy with my panal filter from K&N, as it seems to make a difference in exhaust note and power. Haven't had it on the HW yet to compare fuel economy...

on the 4.9, you will need some air cleaner spacers, and you can only fit a 9" instead of a nice 14" open element.

I persoanlly like the stock Cadillac dress up kit for the 4.9, which includes the airbox.

Plus, the factory intake on the 4.9 is one of the cleanest, stright forward designs I have seen on a modern FWD car.

If you want better sound, remove the small part that goes from the airbox to the radiator support, it is easy, and changes the sound at WOT.

I too have the K&N drop in panel filter, can't say if it made a difference or not.

I have a 93 Eldo with the 4.9 and I was wondering if i could put a good ole fashioned chrome open element circle air cleaner on this engine. Well I know it could be done but is it a good idea or not? I did this for my '87 HT4100, The reason I would like to do this is to get rid of all the old duct work and air box so I can see the engine better all the time, plus I know its restrictive. So is it a good idea or a bad one? And I have also seen HEI upgrade kits on Summit, I was wondering if this would do any good as well? :cool2:

Look at some of my designs on my Car Domain homepage. I have a newer design that keeps the warm air out...I'll post a link to the picture a little later when I'm not being a lazy bastard...:D

I have found a 6" air filter that will fit perfectly, Im just debating wether or not I will lose or gain power by doing this.

I was going to take it one step farther... I borrowed an active cowl air system from a 73 Vette... Once i find a spare hood i was going to work on adapting the hood for the cowl.

you could go this route like i did but it's not the cheapest way. but a good improvement.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/472000-472999/472581_30.jpg

I have found a 6" air filter that will fit perfectly, Im just debating wether or not I will lose or gain power by doing this.

In all fairness, you will lose. There is a reason why Cadillac ducted the air from the front of the car as opposed to the hot engine bay, and it was not for aesthetic appeal. Cool air is more dense than hot dry air, period.

There is nothing more to it than cool air = better fuel economy and performance.

I have a 93 Eldo with the 4.9 and I was wondering if i could put a good ole fashioned chrome open element circle air cleaner on this engine. Well I know it could be done but is it a good idea or not? I did this for my '87 HT4100, The reason I would like to do this is to get rid of all the old duct work and air box so I can see the engine better all the time, plus I know its restrictive. So is it a good idea or a bad one? And I have also seen HEI upgrade kits on Summit, I was wondering if this would do any good as well? :cool2:

everyone's experiences vary slightly, but the stock GM distributor components seem to work best on the 4.9L in my experience.. i tried accell aftermarket supercoil, module, cap and rotor, and saw no difference in performance, in fact, i would say it performed slightly worse..a friend of mine also tried the MSD high performance setup and no change on his either..as far as the aircleaner element goes, i think if you did that and removed the stock airbox, you wouldnt have a place to mount the cruise control cable and throttle cables..and i think your engine will sound louder, but the performance difference is no better than just using a drop-in K&N Filter...

You could use a 3" full CAI...

http://www.freewebs.com/evoengineering/Cars/100_1954(Small).JPG
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v300/ghostc/Cadillac/BlackCAI.jpg

(Shown on a DeVille. Is the Eldorado engine bay different, or the same? Either way, I can make one that'll fit)

You could use a 3" full CAI...

http://www.freewebs.com/evoengineering/Cars/100_1954(Small).JPG (http://www.freewebs.com/evoengineering/Cars/100_1954%28Small%29.JPG)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v300/ghostc/Cadillac/BlackCAI.jpg

Um...No offense...but thats not a C.A.I. thats a W.A.I. how would you call that cold air, the poin of entry is now all underhood hot air, not any from away from the engine compartment, although im sure it sounds nice.

Nope. There's a hole underneath of the tray that the relocated black canister sits in. A large one that gets a whole lot more cold air than the stock location.

Trust me ;)

You could use a 3" full CAI...

http://www.freewebs.com/evoengineering/Cars/100_1954(Small).JPG
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v300/ghostc/Cadillac/BlackCAI.jpg

(Shown on a DeVille. Is the Eldorado engine bay different, or the same? Either way, I can make one that'll fit)

nice,, unfortunately that would never work in my citation, as the battery is in that spot