4" Cowl, enough clearance for a single plane with a Big Block?

[natzx7]

Does anyone have experience with this? I'll be swapping motors in a few months, and my 427 BB with a dual plane just fits under a steel 2" cowl hood. My next motor is going to be a Big bore BBC standard deck, but with a single plane Edelbrock (I think a Super Victor) and a 4500 series carb. I'd like to run a conventional air cleaner like a standard Moroso. I really don't want a 6" cowl if I can help it, but may need another inch or so for a nitrous plate. Hoping someone who has dealt with this might have some advice. Thanks !

 

[NTSTLKR]

I think you'll be OK if you use a drop base air cleaner. You'll be able to just close the hood.
I have a Victor under a 4" Cowl.
But I also have a Nitrous Plate under my Dominator- and couldn't use the Moroso drop base lid- so I designed & 3D Printed a custom one to fit.

 

[natzx7]

I think you'll be OK if you use a drop base air cleaner. You'll be able to just close the hood.
I have a Victor under a 4" Cowl.
But I also have a Nitrous Plate under my Dominator- and couldn't use the Moroso drop base lid- so I designed & 3D Printed a custom one to fit.

Wow thanks, that's really helpful. Judging by the foil it's pretty close with the plate and the custom lid!

 

[1980RS]

I have an 80 Camaro with a 4" cowl hood and it clears my BBC with the old Weiand Team G intake that's pretty tall. The truck is to use a good drop base air cleaner on the street with the hood.

 

[76z28]

Mine cleared with a victor jr and a nitrous plate on it. I used a mighty demon 850 with a 16 inch air cleaner on it.

 

[natzx7]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'd hate to drive a 6" cowl on the street, I don't really think it's doable. These pics are of my buddies Chevelle, this a Moroso drop base air cleaner, but I don't think they make a drop base like that for a Dominator.

 

[Chevyforever]

There is a company that makes drop bases like that for a Dominator. It is a Cdn based company.

 

[NTSTLKR]

I had a much taller Harwood Aero on mine previously- and it was tough to see around to the RF.
The 4" cowl is way better for visibility- and it's legal (here in NH)
Mine is a Moroso drop base for a Dominator: https://www.moroso.com/16-low-profile-air-cleaner-with-dropped-bottom65920/
Problem is at the very front where the cowl starts to drop down- that's where there's not a lot of room.
Also need to watch the passenger side- because the BBC is not centered in the engine bay.
I believe I also had to use a 3" element- and as such there was not much clearance between the lower and upper parts of the assembly.
The Filter Lid I made used a different curvature to maximize the clearance in that area.
You could also use one of those flat K&N lids with the filter built into it- in a pinch.

 

[natzx7]

Thanks, I"ll order that Moroso 65920. Looks like they're out of stock but I won't need it until the fall or so. Super helpful info and pics! I forget about restrictions like hood scoop size up in the north east. I grew up in RI and the cops would literally be waiting for me to back out of my driveway with glasspacks on my '70 so they could give me a ticket and send me back to inspection. Down here in Florida, it's pretty much anything goes, slicks, 36" lift kits, open headers LOL ( but I still don't want to try to navigate a parking lot with a 6" cowl) Thanks again. - Nat