Any good news for Air Grabber fans?

[Dibbons]

I see many air grabbers on posts here, both factory cars and clones. Where is everyone purchasing their air grabber parts/kits? Are aftermarket companies fabricating a quality product? Are originals affordable and restorable? If not, it seems it would take someone with more genius than myself to fabricate one. What is a fan of an air grabber hood like me (who has a pipe dream of installing one) to do? Thank you.

 

[superbird77]

I can tell you first had the 1969 air cleaner lid and base i got from PG Classic was crap. The lid was totally different than an original and the base had very poor quality and finish. I let them know my thoughts but they didn't seem to care. I have no experience with any of the re pop duct work FYI.

 

[nstyle73]

I have an original and a repop for a 71 and the repop is going to the body shop next week to have the insert in the bulge hood smoothed and painted. I should have some pictures in a couple weeks.

 

[Mr Gorsky]

Classic Industries have nearly all you'll need, pages 282-283 of their pdf catalog (278-279 paper catalog).

 

[HawkRod]

Mine is original, so I can't comment on the aftermarket stuff. I think some of the base plates are fiberglass, and I have heard they distort over time.

Adding an air grabber setup to a car without it is quite pricey, but I think they are cool as hell. If you get/have a car, my recommendation is FIRST get it running and driving like you want, and then start slowly buying air grabber parts for it. I would do the smaller parts first, and then buy the air cleaner and hood last.

Just my $0.02. Good Luck!

 

[Dibbons]

That's a good idea to slow down the air grabber installation because I still have the complete restoration ahead of me (and a lot to learn). I could just pick up the hood pieces a few at a time I suppose. Thanks!

 

[nstyle73]

I bought a whole car that the guy had put all the parts on for about the value of the parts and the six pack carbs he put on it. I don't know the source, but all the parts are/were new. I will take some pictures next to the OEM stuff sometime.

 

[toearley]

I have a transplanted original system set up on my 74 Charger, complete. It's not working, and I've got a lot more things to address before I get to it. I have done quite a bit of looking around for replacement parts anticipating I may need a few. There are places who will restore/rebuild but for a high price ... and from what I've seen OEM or aftermarket ALL are expensive. It is very hard to have it all there, but not working.

 

[nstyle73]

Here is an original and a reproduction. The one mounted to the hood and on the left in the other pictures is the reproduction. Very little difference. The door is held on with bolts and nuts rather than screws on the newer one. There is a slight visual difference in two corners of how the fiberglass was formed, but only very slight. Dimensionally measure out the same for width, screw holes etc. I do not however know what source the reproduction came from.

 

[Dibbons]

Those fotos are extremely helpful. There seems to be hope that a functioning Air Grabber can be fabricated with the parts now available. Now I only wish we knew what the source of the reproduction was!

 

[HawkRod]

Those fotos are extremely helpful. There seems to be hope that a functioning Air Grabber can be fabricated with the parts now available. Now I only wish we knew what the source of the reproduction was!

Just in case you don't know, there are more parts needed than shown in the pictures above: You need a dash switch & bezel (I assume you would modify your dash), air grabber solenoid for under the dash, vacuum hoses, vacuum can for the firewall, intake air grabber vacuum fitting, air grabber hood, air grabber hood scoop, the air box, air box gasket, full linkage, vacuum actuator, engine base plate & Lid, and assorted small parts.

 

[nstyle73]

The full setup looks like about $1700 from Classic, plus your labor to actually install it, not to mention the balls to cut up a bulge hood.