If you are using one of these type air cleaner bases - stop, and throw it away

That's it Larry.... most drop of all bases with round profile/contour for decent flow.
I had to remove the metal tube for clearance of linkage or fuel log if I remember right.

 

So my question is in the 500-550 hp range what is better the drop base air cleaner with a 3" filter or a flat base with a 1" to 1-1/2" filter. Does one of thoes filter lids make a difference in either combo. I ask because my problem is hood clearance with my intake and adapter for the Q jet.

 

I doubled up the air cleaner gasket, no grinding or fitting needed on my HP Holley without choke.
This is an Original L88 base. Check out the serious drop....

 

Yeah, unfortunately thats the bad one

 

The filter lids have shown in other tests to lose hp. I would try to keep the 3" filter. Try to find a smooth radius drop base with a minimum drop that will allow you to run the 3"

 

What's the concenses using an old style 750 double pumper Holley with a choke??? Is it better??? This one I've had since about 75.
Courious minds would like to know.

Tom T.

 

The factory corvette lid has a flow to it also. The two humps in the base are where the float adjustments are on the Holley. That way it does not have as tall of a throat or entrance to the carb. A lot of the vette open air cleaner's were the sam except the vent pipe.

 

Those look like the OEM radius. The vertical at the carb air horn is fairly short so that's good too. With the bigger drop, be sure the filter is tall enough: the steep up-radius just inside the lowest part of the filter will block airflow slightly, but that is unavoidable. So make sure there is plenty of upper filter area to compensate

 

Wizard is that a spectra ram air base

 

Take a look at the 1971-72 Electra air cleaner. Has a good drop and takes a 3" tall x 14" dia filter!
Fits my low hood but kinda hides my proud Qjet though.
AC 212 cw filter. K & N filter crowdes the outer walls of the air cleaner. Use a stock factory filter.
Cut a sneaky hidden 3x8 inch opening in the back for plenty of air intake.

 

A 1.5" tall filter would need to be about 3 feet diameter!
Use the Electra filter noted in the post above.

 

Flat is bad!
David Vizard "How To Build Horsepower" Carburetors and Intake Manifolds
Page 97, figure # 9-6, shape #11 Eliptical flare air cleaner floor shape rated VERY EFFICIENT.
Maybe someone on here can show the simple contoured illustration from his book.
It is a low profile moundy roundy shape like our old BUICK air cleaners.

 

Gary, did you see my post 10 from this string?

 

Or that. That's a great idea. I tend to make things harder...Lol

 

Do you have a pic of the base?

 

Right, I missed post 10. Thanks.
That is the right chart!
The picture is there.