Hi Guys,

Coming to you all again for advice on my '86 Carrera Coupe.

Last night as I was assessing the job of replacing the rear shocks, I noticed the rear side of the air box cover was not closed completely. After struggling to close the top rear clip, I decided to check the bottom rear clip as well. It would not latch. I took off the air box cover and discovered that the piece of plastic on the box that the cover clips to, has broken off, thus I cannot clip the bottom rear latch. There is a gap between the air filter and the box as near as I can tell by feel of about a quarter inch or so on the back side.

How much of an issue is this as air is being sucked into the air flow meter and into the motor without being filtered? Is this condition dangerous to the motor? Is it affecting performance?

If I replace the box, should I stay with a stock box or go to a cone? My thoughts are replace the box, use the old cover and drill holes in it as Steve Weiner suggests and keeping the new cover as a spare if I should ever sell the car (which I doubt).

Thanks for your help gents!

 

I don't beleive it to be an issue. Basically the gap is allowing more air to pass through the intake. You would get the same result from drilling out your air box. Just doesn't look as nice.

However, if it's bugging you, get a new one, or get a cone filter.

 

Not to hijack your thread, but I'm looking for an airbox cover (to drill), if you decided to 'let one go', I'm interested.

Thanks...Keith

 

Keith--
I've got an airbox lid already drilled for sale.
You've got PM

Mike
'86 coupe

 

I could use an airbox clip, I am missing one, hard to find. Let me know Thanks! Just sawed the cover up on mine, no holes just lots of exposure with a K&N of course. John

 

Do modifications to the cover really work? Anyone have any experience of data on this? How 'bout send in your pix of your modified airbox and how you feel about it!

Sorry Jim didn't mean to hijack your thread but maybe more info is a good thing

 

Mike, I'm sending you a PM.

 

Apart from extra noise (good enough reason I guess!) can't see any benefit in drilling box or fitting a cone filter - I haven't seen any proof of improved performance although there have been many threads on the site giving opinions. The 993 guys go on about this ad-nausium.

PJC

 

Unfiltered air is indeed a bad thing. You should NOT run the car until this has been fixed.

I noticed the same problem last weekend on my car (both rear clips are broken). When the clips break there is a gap on the engine side of the filter box as you said. I tried wrapping the box with a couple of long tie wraps to hold it closed, but it did not help close the gaps where the clips broke.

If I put my hand over the intake tube there is no difference. If it was sealed correctly the engine should stall. I'll be pulling the box this weekend to see if it can be salvaged. I'll let you know how it comes out.

New one is about $230 complete with box, filter, and cover. Lots of covers (drilled or not) available around the forum and eBay, but not to many of the complete boxes. Maybe that's because if they are not being used they are BROKEN! I wonder if there are alot of folks with this problem that don't even know it.

Andrew

 

Andrew,
Thank you for your input and please post the outcome.

That was my feeling as well about the unfiltered air. I found one at performance products for about $195. Too bad I didn't notice the problem a month ago when they had 20% off.

 

Finally got around to pulling the air box.

I found this mirror holder hook at Home Depot that does the trick. It's not a "Concours" quality repair, but it works and only costs about $2.

 

Hey Andrew,
Thanks for taking the time to follow-up. Looks like a good fix. Mine is at the identical place.

 

If anyone is looking for a complete assembly, I have one in very good condition from an '85 3.2 carrera. $120 plus shipping

Mark