What's it do?

jc95fwd · #1 (**permalink**) 01-16-04, 11:05 AM

I just bought a '95 Fleetwood Brougham, trading in my '93. Of course this year has the much stronger LT1, which is great! I'm no super-mechanic but know the basics about engine components, etc, which makes me somewhat embarrassed to have to ask: What is the large semi-triangular rubber-plastic device that you would usually think is the air filter housing, but in this case isn't?! I removed it for cleaning and I couldn't figure out what its function was, if anything!

FTSS · #2 (**permalink**) 01-16-04, 04:15 PM

It's called 'Home Plate', and it's the thing you get rid of at the same time as the 'first base' when replacing both with any number of better aftermarket K&N type filter setups.

The design premise was for noise quieting or throatier resonance or somesuch, but more likely to just keep GM's original 50+ year old target demo buyers from thinking the air filter fell off the car

But, save the parts forever, - folks doing 100% restorations in 20 years will want'em.

Search SSRI and RAISS for just two options, or, buy the aftermarket alum. puck to stick in the rubber elbow hole and drill a bunch of holes in your first base housing for a cheaper fix. Good luck.

jc95fwd · #3 (**permalink**) 01-16-04, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTSS

It's called 'Home Plate', and it's the thing you get rid of at the same time as the 'first base' when replacing both with any number of better aftermarket K&N type filter setups.

The design premise was for noise quieting or throatier resonance or somesuch, but more likely to just keep GM's original 50+ year old target demo buyers from thinking the air filter fell off the car

But, save the parts forever, - folks doing 100% restorations in 20 years will want'em.

Search SSRI and RAISS for just two options, or, buy the aftermarket alum. puck to stick in the rubber elbow hole and drill a bunch of holes in your first base housing for a cheaper fix. Good luck.

Thanks for the info. Since I posted my question I had seen some pictures of a guys FWD that had done the mods you speak of. So the rubber elbow hole and the "Home Plate" itself doesn't help the engine breath at all?

FTSS · #4 (**permalink**) 01-17-04, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc95fwd

So the rubber elbow hole and the "Home Plate" itself doesn't help the engine breath at all?

Righto, but be sure to block the hole if you ditch the home plate, or the MAF will have a heart attack. Plus, you obviously don't want to be sucking unfiltered air.

HotRodSaint · #5 (**permalink**) 01-17-04, 10:07 AM

You can also buy an F-Body elbow without a hole instead of using a hockey puck to fill it in.

Another choice for an intake, and likely to be my choice soon, is the K&N intake.

jc95fwd · #6 (**permalink**) 01-17-04, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotRodSaint

You can also buy an F-Body elbow without a hole instead of using a hockey puck to fill it in.

Another choice for an intake, and likely to be my choice soon, is the K&N intake.

Thanx much for the info. I just don't understand why the GM/Caddy engineers would go to all that trouble designing the "home plate" attachment and making the hole for it to fit into if it served no purpose!?
Where would I be able to find an F-boly elbow? Even though I can't really spring for the K&N intake package right now I did search their listings by make/model and didn't see where they offered one for a '95 FWD.
Once I have a chance to spiff my new baby up a bit (it's in great condition but was previously owned by an 83 yr old guy who didn't do much extra work to take care of it) I'll post some pics. I already have Dayton wire wheels on it that look real sweet, at least I think!

HotRodSaint · #7 (**permalink**) 01-17-04, 01:20 PM

Sorry n00b! I forgot to add: "When searching for '94-'96 Fleetwood engine and suspension parts, think '94-'96 IMPALA SS!" Most aftermarket companies don't know about us FoSS members.

The 'home plate' and 'first base' was designed to quiet the intake noise. On the F-body cars (Camaros and Firebirds), being quiet wasn't a requirement, HP was.

You can find more information on Impala's (and their lessor siblings) here:
http://impalassforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?

Besides finding an Impala specific vendor there that might carry the F-body elbow, you can do a 'LT1 95' search on Ebay. There are new F-body elbows for sale there all the time.

FASSTWOOD · #8 (**permalink**) 01-17-04, 06:05 PM

I just got a 95 also and I did the sewer pipe intake . The sounds really good now when you get on the pedal, and it didn't put a hole in my pocket. I used the hockey puck to block the home plate hole, and I "swiss cheesed" the air box to allow more air to get in...

BroughamOnChrome · #9 (**permalink**) 01-20-04, 07:00 PM

^ That was the best way to put it lol. Kinda makes me miss my 94.

jc95fwd · #10 (**permalink**) 01-21-04, 09:51 AM

Thanks for all the great info! I took off Home Plate and First Base and installed the Sewer Pipe Intake home-grown assembly and it looks good and does sound and perform a little better, although I still have to "swiss cheese" the air box -- maybe this evening. With Home Plate gone, do most people remove the mounting bracket? If so, what do you do with the various wiring harnesses, etc, that seem to be suspended from it?
If I go ahead and install the Summit Turbo mufflers how will the car sound then? I wouldn't mind a little performance rumble but still want my FWD to be a luxury car first and not really sound too "unruly"!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FASSTWOOD

I just got a 95 also and I did the sewer pipe intake . The sounds really good now when you get on the pedal, and it didn't put a hole in my pocket. I used the hockey puck to block the home plate hole, and I "swiss cheesed" the air box to allow more air to get in...

FASSTWOOD · #11 (**permalink**) 01-21-04, 10:30 AM

I just ordered the corvette fuel rail covers on ebay from a corvette with the lt-1 motor. I think its from 94-97. check out sstealth post on subtle mods. (More "Subtle" Fleetwood mods) This will give you a few ideas, I know i've gotten a lot of great ideas from the forum.

jc95fwd · #12 (**permalink**) 01-22-04, 01:43 PM

Oookay, I'll ask everyone again: with the Home Plate removal complete (and First Base, sewer pipe intake mod installed, air box swiss cheesed, etc) do most people remove the mounting bracket? If so, what do you do with the wiring bundles, etc, that are suspended from it???

Quote:

Originally Posted by FASSTWOOD

I just ordered the corvette fuel rail covers on ebay from a corvette with the lt-1 motor. I think its from 94-97. check out sstealth post on subtle mods. (More "Subtle" Fleetwood mods) This will give you a few ideas, I know i've gotten a lot of great ideas from the forum.

ssstealth · #13 (**permalink**) 01-22-04, 07:43 PM

Fleetwood with the entire baseball field removed...

jc95fwd · #14 (**permalink**) 01-23-04, 10:30 AM

Maybe I'm reading too much info that I don't really completely understand technically, but once you've eliminated Home Plate, First Base, installed the "sewer pipe intake" and swiss-cheesed the airbox, do you have to buy a new MAF or somehow recalibrate the stock one? An article I was reading said yes, 'cause otherwise you'll get a "Check Engine" light and, after about 200 miles, the engines computer will adjust to the changes and cancel out the performance gains! Any thoughts???

SupaFly · #15 (**permalink**) 01-23-04, 03:59 PM

Ohhhhhhh...I wish I could do that stuff.