Just saw this thread, as I haven't been able to log on for a few days...
You can get more info on the air cleaner, Ken, by calling Nelson Rudisill at (828) 874-2335 before 9pm EST.
I think his cowl plenum air cleaner is an excellent reproduction that I am proud to have on my '69 Chevelle. Does the added performance justify the pricetag? For many people it may not, but for me not only is it the added performance, but also the unique appearance, the second looks from folks, and the inquiries I get about it that help make the air cleaner a worthwhile addition. And when you stick your leg in it and open up the secondaries on the Holley... well, you just have to hear it to appreciate it.
Mark, I have to take exception to your comment about the air cleaner starting off "as a unit from a junk yard then are reworked." The only part of the air cleaner that starts off as a previously installed piece is the air cleaner lid. The rest of the assembly begins life as a stock, GM, 14-inch, open element air cleaner base, just like they did from the original manufacturer. Then, special tooling is used to form the sides, and they are added to the base along with the unique rear-facing "snorkel." The article in Chevelle World magazine even points out that the snorkel utilizes precisely formed and located supports inside of it that duplicate the originals perfectly.
The used lid is the only piece that deviates from the original, and even then only very slightly in the profile. I compared it to the NOS setup that I have, and that is the only metal part of the air cleaner that differs. I've asked several very knowledgeable Chevelle guys to look at the air cleaner and they all came up with the same opinion: Excellent!
In fact, until I laid the two lids next to each other, none of them could spot the difference, and even after pointing it out to them, some were hard pressed to find the dissimilarity.
Regarding the piece that attaches to the firewall, yes, it is constructed from carbon fiber rather than the original fiberglass. So I guess Nelson took a little high-tech detour with that part. He also tooled it up to make it fit better (a lot better, since I dummied up both the original and the repop) to the firewall, but kept the original appearance by painting it a nice satin or semi-gloss black - just like the original.
Red 64SS ragtop makes a good point in comparing the price of an NOS piece to that of the reproduction. It's about half the price of what you might be able to find one for at a swap meet or on ebay - and for the difference, I don't have to tell you which one I decided to use. I think I'll sell my NOS one now, and pocket the difference. Still, I understand the pricetag seems a tad stiff. But let me say once again, it is NOT a reworked junkyard piece, and I was not afraid... not even a little bit.
It is a very well-executed reproduction that took dedicated tooling to manufacture, and it'll work on '64-7 Chevelles as well as the '68-'72 versions. Shoot, he's even got 'em to fit First Gen Camaros and '68-74 Novas, as well as full-sized Chevys.
If you're truly interested in a unique induction setup with a "factory racing" heritage, you may want to call Nelson. I used a lot of NOS parts in the restoration of my '69 convert, including running down a set of the "early" rolled exhaust tips, so the last thing I would want to do is compromise the construction and appearance. Now... anybody here want to step up and buy my NOS cowl plenum setup?
Chuck
