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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Golf mk3 how to guides + info => Topic started by: bored_Welsh_lad on 13 September 2009, 09:59

Title: TUNING Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: bored_Welsh_lad on 13 September 2009, 09:59
So you have bought a MK3 16v in stdish form and you are eager to experience "the fury". Before going out on that loud pedal you start to read the threads on ClubGTi. Then the question comes...What filter is the best?
Well yours truly decided to find out and to do that, it was essential to team up with the good guys at Streamline Garage, in London, to use their newly installed 2400BHP AWD Dyno Dynamics rollers (http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/100920092437.jpg)
to validate the typical air induction combination you would find on a MK3 today.

These methods can be applied to most airboxes found on other engine types.

First of all I would like to thank eatonMK2, VWsingh and cs98sss4 for the use of the specimen/victims in this study and of course Theo@Streamline for letting me loose on his dyno to perform the 25 tests back to back

Now let the testing begin!
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/100920092444.jpg)

The vehicle used in in this test is a 95 plate MK3 16v called N7NDO. It has a STD ABF engine with 113K miles. The only small mods are, ported throttle and matched inlet system.
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/100920092433.jpg)

The filter configurations that where tested were;
Open throttle-body ( thanks to the factory speed density digi 3.x system)
Std VW airbox w/OE filter
Std VW airbox w/K&N panel
Piper pod filter
Modified VW airbox top half, STD bottom half
Modified VW airbox complete.
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/100920092435.jpg)
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/100920092436.jpg)
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/100920092441.jpg)
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/100920092442.jpg)

Each configuration was tested at least 2 times.
The ambient air temp was 19 deg C.
25 tests were run.

After safely strapping down the vehicle on the rolls, the air ducting and and filter box were removed and the first power run was conducted.
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/100920092438.jpg)

The throttle duct and the STD top half of the air box were installed and placed in line of the dyno fan.
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/100920092439.jpg)

With the STD top half already in place, the standard panel filter was then compared to a K&N filter in the STD bottom half. A genuine VAG filter was used.

This was later removed and a Piper cross pod filter was installed and then tested.
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/100920092440.jpg)

Lastly a modified airbox, which had the OE tapered velocity stack modified and in its place a larger diameter and more bell mouthed unit, was tested with the standard bottom half and then a modified bottom half.
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/100920092441.jpg)

Not one to focus on just peak power points we shall study what happened to the torque as ultimately this would affect peak bhp points if one follows the mathematical formula BHP=TQ*RPM/5252. I will state the peak power developed in concluding.

Looking at the plots for 4 conditions,
Open throttle - FlyBHP/TQ, AFR 1
STD airbox - FlyBHP/TQ, AFR 6
Pipercross Pod - FlyBHP/TQ, AFR 12
Complete modified airbox - FlyBHP/TQ, AFR 25

(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/MK3ABFAirinductionstudy.jpg)

We can see that;


Test 1, open throttle body, resulted in the in the worse torque curve and had peak bhp measurement of 142bhp@6200rpm

Test 6, STD airbox, had improved torque range and resulted in 145bhp@6100rpm

Test 12, Pipercross Pod filter, improved the torque range further and resulted in a peak of 148.5bhp@6500rpm

My choice, Test 25, Modified air box and OE filter, improved torque even further than any of the other combinations and resulted in a peak power measurement of 151.2BHP@6200rpm
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/toyotec/N7NDO%20MK3%2016v/100920092443.jpg)

I have always been a believer of this type of modification and this is evident of what you will find on The WOLF R, the 3A 8v MK2 on MS and my 98 VR6. Goes to show that you do not have to spend loads of money on a shiny new induction kit if you apply some thought and modify the existing factory unit. The above modification only about 10 pounds was spent, vs 60-70 pounds on an induction kit. It makes a similar but refined sound as an open pod filter.
Hope this 10 pound modification inspires some to think next time you are about to shell out that hard earned.

Next steps,

Keep watching this space.[;)][/QUOTE]


For a more updated version check out this thread..

Clicky (http://www.clubgti.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1780746#post1780746)
Title: Re: Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: hyland770 on 13 September 2009, 10:27
you bastard, why couldnt you have done this 48hours ago before i did my induction kit!!!!  :grin: class write up though fella!
Title: Re: Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: bored_Welsh_lad on 13 September 2009, 10:48
you fatherless son, why couldnt you have done this 48hours ago before i did my induction kit!!!!  :grin: class write up though fella!

I cannot take the benefits for the results here..they were produced by Toyotec.. i also told you a panel filter is better than an "induction cone" before you bought 1 lol..
Title: Re: Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: Khare on 13 September 2009, 11:26
So modified box and paper filter better? Something went wrong.

I still reckon foam filters are better than paper filters, bear in mind foam filters need 500 miles to be "run in" for them to be fully effective as they have a heavy layer of oil to start off with.

V. good write up though dude :afro:
Title: Re: Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: bored_Welsh_lad on 13 September 2009, 12:21
So modified box and paper filter better? Something went wrong.

I still reckon foam filters are better than paper filters, bear in mind foam filters need 500 miles to be "run in" for them to be fully effective as they have a heavy layer of oil to start off with.

V. good write up though dude :afro:

I didnt do the write up, i have copied it because i know people would rather see it here than click the link..

He says in the thread that the standard filter was brand new and thats where theres issues as it flows so well when brand new.. whereas after 10k the filter is shagged...

Title: Re: Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: VW BUSH on 13 September 2009, 12:29
Fcuking excellent, Shove an 8v on there and soon will be able to close this debate forever :grin:
Title: Re: Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: justalex81 on 13 September 2009, 13:32
so if i have this right if i modify the air box in the same way done in the tests, and then add a K & N filter will i get even more bhp and torque than any of the test set-up's ?

and would that improve further if i run a cold air intake into the original box?
Title: Re: Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: bored_Welsh_lad on 13 September 2009, 13:38
I would expect a cold air feed to be of benefit.. long term a K&N is better than  a paper filter, although the results dont show this well as the paper filter was brand new..

If you want advice on this i would go to the link at the bottom of the initial post i made..
Title: Re: Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: Shady Pioneer on 13 September 2009, 17:23
Great write up chap, it can stay stickied for some time and when I get a chance I'll add it to a Bible somewhere in the maintenance section :)
Title: Re: Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: Ess_Three on 16 September 2009, 07:19
So modified box and paper filter better? Something went wrong.

I still reckon foam filters are better than paper filters, bear in mind foam filters need 500 miles to be "run in" for them to be fully effective as they have a heavy layer of oil to start off with.

V. good write up though dude :afro:

Foam filter where?
In the airbox or as a cone?

Funny that toyotecs results line up with what I've found over the years.

Sadly, the amount people have their wallet lightened by in buying their noisy, bling induction kit is proportional to the placebo effect of the benefit they think it gives.
Sadly, the Dyno, and physics, suggests otherwise.

The only other test I'd have liked to see would have been a foam/K&N panel filter tested in the best airbox set-up, back to back with a cone filter.
Title: Re: Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: br3n on 07 October 2009, 01:47
This is all aimed at the gti engine but what about the vr6 - would you suggest the same mods to the airbox or something extra, was thinking bmc cda with cai but not sure now.. hah!
Title: Re: Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: shepgti on 07 October 2009, 15:14
This is all aimed at the gti engine but what about the vr6 - would you suggest the same mods to the airbox or something extra, was thinking bmc cda with cai but not sure now.. hah!

who would have thought it! info on Golf GTI.co.uk aimed at gti golfs  :rolleyes: the bmc cda is probly the best choice for the vr6 imo
Title: Re: INFO Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: David10113 on 24 February 2010, 19:10
is there a thread on here anywhere that explains what to do to the air box to make the mod shown??
Title: Re: INFO Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: jedimasterlewis666 on 14 April 2010, 16:54
is there a thread on here anywhere that explains what to do to the air box to make the mod shown??

yeah i'm after info on that also
Title: Re: INFO Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: jahilton2002 on 15 April 2010, 08:53
i've had a search for the mod page can't find it also  :embarassed:
Title: Re: INFO Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: VR6_Wherry on 15 April 2010, 09:11
Here ya go http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3063843  :smiley:
Title: Re: INFO Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: jahilton2002 on 15 April 2010, 09:11
your a star thx
Title: Re: INFO Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: mellow yellow on 21 May 2010, 15:57
Here ya go http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3063843  :smiley:

link doesnt work for me  :cry: 

a little help please?  :laugh:
Title: Re: INFO Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: thebassman on 13 July 2010, 13:49
All i get is a guy swiss cheesing his air box  :shocked:

Where did the aluminium, mushroom shaped intake come from.
Title: Re: INFO Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: iyrix on 23 June 2011, 16:01
I would like to mod my airbox, standard 16v.

At the moment i have a feed from the exhaust.  Is that just blocked off and us that inlet for a cold feed?

Title: Re: INFO Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: Len on 23 June 2011, 16:38
Yea mate take that off and all the crap bits of plastic in the bottom section and blank off the holes.
Duct tape is good for that! :wink:
You can use the cold air feed on the front, again take out the pipe that goes into the wing.
Title: Re: INFO Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 24 June 2011, 02:04
I riveted a tin plate on the inside of my hot air intake and fitted a 3' flexible hose onto the main cold air intake.
Title: Re: INFO Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: iyrix on 24 June 2011, 08:23
Anyone got any pics of there mods?

Cheers
Graham
Title: Re: INFO Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 24 June 2011, 09:05
If I get the chance and I'm bored il try to get one over the weekend.
Title: Re: TUNING Airfilters/Airboxes/Panel Filters.. The Defining Thread...
Post by: search on 18 March 2012, 20:38
Probs wrong... (none GTI)  just testing.

(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k34/xsjado-man/424091_10150732298240491_753170490_11811071_1459263783_n.jpg)

(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k34/xsjado-man/429645_10150732299315491_753170490_11811073_625187546_n.jpg)