So in keeping to my operational theory of "do something everyday not matter how small", I decided to install my new air cleaner base and filter from Year One. While I would love to have a steel one, at $125 v $800 I can definitely live with a fiberglass one for a very long time. Of course since it is fiberglass it doesnt have the centering bars but given that the base has a flange that sits into the TB adapters, I dont see it going anywhere, however if I get ambitious I could easily fabricate some and bolt them or rivet them in.
First impressions; decently made although not overly finished as the underside doesnt have a gel coat and it rough (but it is the underside). It doesnt have the rear holes but they could be cut out if needed (I dont see a reason to do that at least now). The rubber sealing ring will fit it but I can see where that will be a bit of a pain as they give you tube of RTV and given the very loose fitment on the lip of the base I can totally see this as an exercise in frustration (complete with lots of cursing and a potential for something getting body slammed in the process...
). I have another idea that I will try and if it works I will post it here. Having said that, I am not 100% that I want to run the rubber, pretty sure I do but on a recent visit to Cuda Cody's, he made mention that on his TAs he removes the rubber because he dosen't like anything pressing up on the hood. I am "pretty sure" that the ring wouldn't affect the hood but then again...
Here are some pics