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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: whileoceanasleeps on 21 September 2012, 22:46

Title: My air filter DIY: £15 KN ebay cone & heatshield
Post by: whileoceanasleeps on 21 September 2012, 22:46
Hey,

Did the air box mod to my stock green MK3 8v with the oem filter and after accidentally buying a BMW M3 K&N panel for it (anyone want it!?) i managed to get a K&N cone for £15 on ebay. Read a lot on here that using a panel and the air box mod is best but thought I'd have a go with the cone (for sounds also). However upon arrival I found no way to attach the cone to where my air box used to be, so here's what I did...

previous air box mod
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2801_zps071afb8a.jpg)

was bring to work out how i was gonna make an 8" tube from bending some steel (pita) when i found an old lorry fuel filter that was the exact diameter of the cone! result
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2795_zps2ee2604f.jpg)

cut the ends off
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2797_zpsd276d106.jpg)

stripped the paint with an air sander and made a bracket cut from 2mm steel sheet
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2798_zps2257327f.jpg)

bracket drilled to mount onto MAF and hole cut around a mug (very shakily!) with plasma cutter
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2799_zps42edc512.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2800_zpseae17765.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2802_zps50319430.jpg)

The fuel filter was really tricky for me to weld at 0.5mm thick! I'm no expert welder, it kept blowing through. Helps to know a welder :) Not the neatest job but it stuck em together
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2803_zpsaadc77a9.jpg)

main bit done! plus new gasket thing stanley knifed from some rubber mat
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2808_zpsfd86d0f0.jpg)

with filter
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2805_zpsda19f478.jpg)

in the engine bay
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2810_zpsc3b582bb.jpg)


took it for a test drive after this, i was curious to see what the heat soak would be like.. after a 5 minute trip round the block i opened the bonnet to find there was a lot of hot air getting to the filter. so i started making a heat shield...

a rusty couple of bits of 2mm steel cut and bent to fit around the cone..
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2811_zps25f51f6b.jpg)

a bit of the air sander to clean up the rust..
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2812_zps98d03e9e.jpg)

much easier for me to weld! note little nick out of the bottom to fit over wires in engine bay
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2813_zps48b77e08.jpg)

finally in engine bay. the heat shield just drops in under the cone
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2814_zpsa324118c.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/aksion/IMG_2815_zps48ff7072.jpg)

have since sprayed with a quick lick of black fireproof stove paint! (helps to know a fireplace fitter!) a bit of running though, need to sand down and recoat.


all this cost me nothing over the price of the filter! admittedly i have access to a workshop :)

and there you go! not the cleanest one i've seen but it does the job for me and it was fun making :) the sound is way cooler than it was before, the car is stock except for a bigger exhaust the previous owner fitted. not too sure if it's any quicker, i think it might be but i may just be hoping!

checking the heat of the shield after a little driving i found it's heating a little, need to get some sort of insulation to cover it. went to wickes and a local hw store today but found nothing! if anyone knows a cheap way of insulating let me know!

thanks




Title: Re: My air filter DIY: £15 KN ebay cone & heatshield
Post by: CJA321 on 21 September 2012, 23:27
Thats good work bud, nice1. I hate those hitachi MAF's
Title: Re: My air filter DIY: £15 KN ebay cone & heatshield
Post by: whileoceanasleeps on 21 September 2012, 23:38
thank man.

no idea what the alternative to the hitachi would have been, couldn't find any info. i'm still learning :)
Title: Re: My air filter DIY: £15 KN ebay cone & heatshield
Post by: CJA321 on 22 September 2012, 00:00
Can get a k and n for them with a bracket like youv made. On ebay, quite expensive though
Title: Re: My air filter DIY: £15 KN ebay cone & heatshield
Post by: tweed on 22 September 2012, 00:02
They also sell a adaptor like you made but a lot shorter.
Title: Re: My air filter DIY: £15 KN ebay cone & heatshield
Post by: brett on 22 September 2012, 00:30
i had k & n filter with a mounting bracket etc .. in mine when i got it ,soon came out and replaced with standard airbox ,gave it to a bloke at work who reckons his cars loads better with it  :huh: