Back in my formative years where it was a choice between a $20 air cleaner or 2 full tanks of gas, I modified my stock air cleaner by drilling a series of 3/8" holes in staggered rows across the back of the stock air cleaner base, effectively perforating the back half. I put masking tape on and laid the spacing out perfectly, center punched each location and drilled them out. I cleaned them up with a grinding cone and gave it a shot of paint (Ford Blue in those days). The modification allowed better air flow and still looked stock as viewed from the front and sides of the car.
I run a Z-28 dual snorkel of my 455 (the drop base accepts Holley carbs) that looks similar to the Pontiac but without the air doors. It is still very restrictive. Every now and then I put a plain chrome 14" lid on it which fits fine over the stock air filter element and is much less restrictive but I don't like the look and always go back to the stock chrome lid.
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Triple Black 1971 GTO
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