Butchering my airbox...

[phil.b]

Hi guys and girls!
I just bought a mk3 gti 16v to upgrade from my mk2 1.6, and im very happy so far!
Only thing is the low down pull seems to lack a bit on the 16v's, so I wanna buy an aftermarket panel filter and smooth the airbox instead of buying an induction kit to hopefully improve this a tad. (not holding out too much hope) and if i get a bit more induction noise than all the better!

I was just wondering if anyones got advice, or a link to a guide on how to do this?
Or is it easier/better just to buy an induction kit?

Cheers in advance for replies

[tweed]

Check out the maintenance + info at the top of the page. It's fall of useful guides

[phil.b]

Ahh yeah, cheers

[thai-wronghorse]

Ive just redone mine as it goes as the last one was cracked quite badly.

I removed the hot air flap from inside and riveted a plated on the inside of the air air intake opening. Then i took a Dremel to all the fins on the inside and removed the narrow funnel intake then cut a larger main intake hole so that i could Araldite a cheap intake trumpet into the hole for the cold air pipe to attach to. The current opening is a nice big 3'' throughout running to the original position in the offside wing minus all the plastic gubbins that were stuck in there from the factory.
This coupled with a K&N panel filter has definitely improved the engines response and when the throttle is opened up it gives a lovely subtle induction note.

[phil.b]

"Then i took a Dremel to all the fins on the inside "

Does that mean the inside bottom half of your airbox is completely smoothed? And have you got any pics by any chance? Seeing as though ive only owned the new car a day, i dont wanna f*ck anything up too early!

[thai-wronghorse]

Yes mate, on the 16v air boxes there doesn't seem to be as much to grind out anyway unlike the 8v which doesn't have the hot air flap. Those buggers have fins galore and take quite a while to smooth out fully. I only did the lower section of the box and removed the restrictive snorkel from the upper part.

[thai-wronghorse]

Oh and i almost forgot to mention...since I did this newest modified air box my MPG has risen by 4-6 on decent runs. Sweet. 

[phil.b]

ARGH!

Just tried to do this, but my new "direct replacement" pipercross foam panel filter is too big!!! Ive tried using a dremel to sand down the edges of both the foam and the outside bit where it rests on the housing but it just wont work, and i dont wanna go too mad in case i make it too small and create gaps! Anyone else had this experience with these filters? And dya reckon i could still get a refund... Its not really noticable that ive tried to make it smaller so they cant really say ive voided it or anything?

Help appreciated!

[dom]

ARGH!

Just tried to do this, but my new "direct replacement" pipercross foam panel filter is too big!!! Ive tried using a dremel to sand down the edges of both the foam and the outside bit where it rests on the housing but it just wont work, and i dont wanna go too mad in case i make it too small and create gaps! Anyone else had this experience with these filters? And dya reckon i could still get a refund... Its not really noticable that ive tried to make it smaller so they cant really say ive voided it or anything?

Help appreciated!

Pics are needed! My pipercross filter is a very snug fit

[Gash]

just buy mine off me already done what thai has said.. wel needs to be smoothed a bit better but still good