small air cleaners

Has anyone ever dyno'd or tested the small chrome semi enclosed air cleaners compared to a more open style? Are there any restrictions at high RPM's with this style aire cleaner? Similar to the ones shown below.

 

Hot Rod Magazine did a dyno test of different air cleaners recently (within the last couple of years). The executive summary of the results was that despite what you might think, a small air cleaner made not much difference, and the big, tall ones with the special top that is a filter element didn't gain much. A little, but not much.

 

The quality of the filter itself can have a large impact on flow. Cheep filters dont have enough surface area to alow good air flow. Foam air filters just plain dont work. I had a volicity stack with a foam filter on my car and it would flat quit at 5000 rpm. the same car with a 14" k&n it would go to the 7000rpm rev limiter with ease.

 

I noticed a drastic difference in drivability when I went from a Hellings style dome to just a air cleaner lid on my 2 97's.

 

I use two of the 5" style shown on my 235 Chevy. At first the car ran poorly and very rich. I changed to from the cheap pleated paper to K & N filters and it fixed both problems. Car runs great ever since.

 

Thanks. I have four of these on my Corvair, 4 carbs. I have had some Corvair owners tell me these are too restrictive, I don't see how. I see many V-8 owners use them and have never heard a complaint. A V-8 is going to require a lot more air than my 164 ci 6 cyl. To me, they should be more than adequit, provided the filters are not clogged.


Thanks again.

 

Watch 'em for getting clogged up a lot sooner than full size filters.