[Guest]

I like to look through a lot of the forums here. Mostly the SFA Chevys, 96 era Fords, Toyota truck and SUV, and the mid size Jeeps. Anyways, there's quite a few threads going about snorkles in those forums and I dont want to hijack any of them. So figured I'd ask a question here.

I understand how they (snorkles) are a BIG plus when it comes to fording water. I also understand how the introduction of "fresh" and cooler air makes the engine happier. I also understand how they can sort of act as a type of ram air system. There's a lot of advantages to a snorkle.
But here's what I dont understand. In day to day driving is it such a good idea to run a snorkle? It just seems to me that makeing the engine breath through a long straw would do more harm than good for extended periods of use. I guess kind of like running a lap around the track and only being able to breath through a McDonnalds straw (although McD's straws are a little bigger than most other fast food joints

)

Anyway, the pro's are obviouse and numerous for off roading and I'd like to build one for my new play toy, but it will also be a daily driver. Is the "straw effect" even enough to cause any problems at all for a healthy V8?

 

[953]

i wouldnt sweat it, but why not make a easy removable snorkle, and only run it when you need it......
snorkels onroad are gay anyways!

 

[2479]

Re: Question about snorkels

BillyK,
Snorkels should be sized accordingly to the rest of your intake, So if you have say an original 2.75" intake the diameter of your snorkel should match it or be greater than it.
The advantages of getting your air up there is normally it's less dusty than in your wheel well and the cooler air is more dense then warm air there for you get better combustion.As for the ram air effect I don't know how much if any advantage it is.
Remember if using your snorkel for water crossing and you like to run hard into it to turn the hood toward the rear otherwise you force feed water down it, not good !!
also seal it up good, theres a small hole in most airboxs to let water out if you intend on going deep seal it off too believe me it only takes a few seconds under water and you've got big problems.
Shane

 

[4588]

As was mentioned, the "straw effect" is not significant if the snorkel has been sized properly. If you are looking at one like a Safari, they are designed to exceed the intake requirements for the vehicle they are to be installed on. If you are making your own, just make sure it is plenty large. You might have trouble breathing through even a McDonald's straw, but if that straw were 3" in diameter, you wouldn't even notice it was there.

For me, the advantages you listed and others, made the snorkel decision an easy one. In particular, my supercharger never liked the warm air being pulled through the radiator, across the headers and into the stock intake. I saw an immediate improvement by getting that intake up and out of the wheel well. It also did wonders for keeping my filter clean, since it draws in a lot cleaner air now, with no where near as much dust.

 

[muddybronco]

Use large diameter PVC pipe and thread it right where it comes through the hood or fender so that you can put a low profile scoop on for street use and a taller stack for water use. Stick a rubber o-ring in there and you're set. For an idea of this, think about the hummers with the deep fording kit and those without it... you could have either depending on where you are

...but keep in mind that tons of other problems will show up by the time water is hood-deep, so a snorkel is just the beginning