Do I need the wheelwell installed for fenderwell filter??

[jdstang87]

Read thru air filter threads and found nothing about this unique question...I bought an 87 LX with CAI in the fenderwell and noticed that the wheelwell is not there. A buddy mentioned that it might cause erratic airflow causing the car to run rough, etc. Is this true or would I be ok without the wheelwell? Would water spray affect that to? Thanks.

 

[jrichker]

Unless you want to suck up all the dust, dirt and water off the road and wheel, the inner fender liner is a must for any installation that pulls air from the fenderwell. The air filter will quickly overload with dirt and water if the inner fender liner isn't present and correctly installed.

 

[jdstang87]

yeah that's what I figured. Guess I'll have to find one in a junkyard or make one maybe...thanks

 

[curtisboytejr]

also you do not want to get stuck with a ton of rust down the road with water and dirt shooting up inside your fender area.

 

[jdstang87]

that's for sure! Pretty certain the previous owner probably took them out for room reasons when he lowered the car so we'll see what I can figure out

 

[Beasty306GT]

Yup u def need one

 

[jdstang87]

Yup u def need one

any additional reasons? Or for the same reasons stated above?>

 

[4G-KDMP]

any additional reasons? Or for the same reasons stated above?>

Other than a rock getting picked up in the tread of the tire and getting thrown at the underside of the fender and leaving a big raised up area on the fender, I don't think there are any other major reasons.

 

[jdstang87]

alright thanks

 

[MFE92]

I've been running without fenderliners for a couple years now, which includes 15k+ of street driving plus over 1000 miles of road course duty, including some with sticky R-comp tires, and I've never dented the fender from underneath. People do sometimes complain about that with SN95's and New Edge models, so maybe their fenders are thinner, but I don't hear about it on foxbodies. Granted, I don't drive it much in the rain, but I did make a shield out of some scrap aluminum so nothing splashed up into the hole for the air intake. You could do a similar thing for a fenderwell setup.

This is looking forward in the passenger side wheelwell.

 

[jdstang87]

that was another thought that I had, some kind of shield...glad to hear that it works and you haven't had any problems. Thanks for the insight of a different perspective!

 

[strattoc]

Like the daisy chained zip ties holding that duct up.

Is that turnbuckle there to hold the fender in place or to push it out?

 

[MFE92]

It's to push the fender out. I have an MM K-member that locates the wheels 1 inch forward and I had to make clearance so they wouldn't rub when turned.

 

[darthcual]

I didnt have a fender liner on my old 93 coupe and never had a problem with it. It didnt get any more dirty and because it still sits up high, the only way I can see getting hydro lock is if you drove into a lake. Just speaking from personal experience. I ran that way for four years before I sold her and didnt have a single issue.

 

[jdstang87]

I didnt have a fender liner on my old 93 coupe and never had a problem with it. It didnt get any more dirty and because it still sits up high, the only way I can see getting hydro lock is if you drove into a lake. Just speaking from personal experience. I ran that way for four years before I sold her and didnt have a single issue.

Oh ok, cool! I may just make a half shield for the filter, just to be safe...Thanks!

 

[NIKwoaC]

If you're not going to run with liners, I would just avoid driving it in the rain. Lots of places for water to pool up in there, which could easily lead to rust issues or even electrical problems.

 

[jdstang87]

10-4!