Performance Air Filter for Turbo - which one?

robin_xr4i · Post by **robin_xr4i** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:52 am

I want to uprate my induction system on my turbo.

what does everyone have, what do you recommend and more importantly does not work?

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 9:40 am

Open cone filter (i.e. K+N 57i)

But...... Only if ducted to the outside cold world and not sucking up HOT air inside the engine bay!

Otherwise standard airbox/filter with ducting to the outside world

rich was 100mm wide ducting on his 480. I have 50mm duction with K&N

crispy-d · Post by **crispy-d** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 4:47 pm

This is what I had for a while, just for the sound. But having tried several different methods, and being told that it looked damn stupid having a spaceship on the end of my intake, I took it off, to find that it was actually faster with the standard box.

I think with the 480 it might be easier to access the front grille, so you could stick the filter right behind the grille, then connect that via a pipe to the MAF meter. That was Rich's recommendations, if you want that extra sound.

Williewammes · Post by **Williewammes** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:58 am

Question is, when you stick the filter right behind the bumper, does it still bring more power?

Looks to me that the air has to go quite a long road before entering the turbo.

What are your findings?

robin_xr4i · Post by **robin_xr4i** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 12:31 pm

Williewammes wrote:Question is, when you stick the filter right behind the bumper, does it still bring more power?

Looks to me that the air has to go quite a long road before entering the turbo.

What are your findings?

The distance is not the issue, its about scooping as much undisturbed cool air as possible. Theoretically cooler air = more power

Clio Steve · Post by **Clio Steve** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:38 am

surely on a turbo it won't matter if its an open cone type, as the charged air goes through that huge volvo intercooler anyway.

I can understand it on N/A applications, where temps can really make a difference, but can't see it making a huge difference on a turbo.

crispy-d · Post by **crispy-d** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:54 pm

Makes a massive difference on the turbo. Even driving the car on a colder day makes a difference to its performance. Because the turbo heats up the intake air by a certain factor, (a lot if you're running more than standard boost) then the increase in charged-air temperature will be more when the intake temperature is itself warmer, if that makes any sense.

Basically, despite the intercooler, the engine runs far better with cooler air. Apparently the best bet is to lead a pipe from the intake to the front, and whack a large cone filter on the end. It had marginal increases over the standard box, but is only really worth all the effort for the noise! The setup I had worked to a certain extent, but was still worse than standard, and looked crap too! If you can do it properly, so that it cannot suck up warm air, then you're onto a winner!

Murf · Post by **Murf** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:10 pm

and being told that it looked damn stupid having a spaceship on the end of my intake

looks like you got it for xmas but were in such a rush to fit it you forgot to unwrap it!

here was my effort before i learned about proper heat shielding and power losses by sucking in hot air

Dan the 480 Man · Post by **Dan the 480 Man** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 7:31 pm

I tried on my 440. I had an open cone set up but took out all the Volvo airbox and ran some ducting to the filter. It made a little difference but not great.

This time i'm keeping the Volvo 'box, putting in a nice Pipercross panel filter. I've already modified the feed to run into the bottom of the front bumper. In all honesty, i can't say i've noticed that much difference-maybe 'cos i'm still running a paper filter?

This is it with the nosecone off:

And this is what it looks like just poking out on the right side of the grill...

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:02 pm

I think as long as your paper filter is in good order you're fine. I tried removing my filter altogether and went for a short run. Apart from a stupid asthmatic noise i couldn't tell any difference in performance whatsoever.

I'd be *shocked* if it was even a quantifayable difference.

Like was said above, if the gnoerrrrrrrrrrrrrr noise is your thing, thats probably the only reason to go to all his trouble. Especially when using that space tube stuff...i daren't think what the reynolds number is on that.

robin_xr4i · Post by **robin_xr4i** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:27 am

crispy-d wrote:Even driving the car on a colder day makes a difference to its performance.

Hell yes! cool damp days the car feel 10-20 bhp stronger, hot dry days and the car feel like a bag of shit. Me thinks water injection would be a god idea?

crispy-d · Post by **crispy-d** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 5:21 pm

Hell yes! cool damp days the car feel 10-20 bhp stronger, hot dry days and the car feel like a bag of shit. Me thinks water injection would be a god idea?

Haha! Yes, well, I have found that too. Don't know anything about water injection, may be it would be a good idea. Sounds a little crazy though, spraying water into the intake, if that is actually what it is?!

Especially when using that space tube stuff...i daren't think what the reynolds number is on that.

No, well it's obviously not going to be great, but I didn't think that would make much of a difference. I thought it was good to have some kind of disturbance (to a certain extent) for more efficient combustion, but may be it does hinder performance a little. What about getting an extension of the standard Volvo piping, if anyone knows where to get it. The only thing is, that's black rubber, and I would have thought that it would in fact conduct a little heat if anything. Surely using metallic, or at least shiny (again, to a certain extent!!) pipes would be better? Or would it not make much difference?

@ Dan the 480 Man, that pipe you have looks a perfect fit for the job. That's not the stuff that costs absolutely loads is it? I think I've seen stuff like it on ebay.

Williewammes · Post by **Williewammes** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 3:10 pm

Hi,

Next week I will be trying to create a new top cover for my airbox with an integrated direct air filter. This way the only air entering the filter will be the air from beneath the bumper, assuming this air is cold.

A soon as I'm finished I will let you know what difference it makes.

If not making any difference, at least the sound should be better

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 4:34 pm

No, well it's obviously not going to be great, but I didn't think that would make much of a difference. I thought it was good to have some kind of disturbance (to a certain extent) for more efficient combustion, but may be it does hinder performance a little. What about getting an extension of the standard Volvo piping, if anyone knows where to get it. The only thing is, that's black rubber, and I would have thought that it would in fact conduct a little heat if anything. Surely using metallic, or at least shiny (again, to a certain extent!!) pipes would be better? Or would it not make much difference?

Lol, but the turbulence made by the turbocharger should be ample for this don't you think?

I just don't see the reason really to change the standard system, apart from a better element perhaps...unless for the sound.

robkendall · Post by **robkendall** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 11:25 pm

wouldnt the best thing to do actually be to have some kind of scoop affair on the end of these inlet pipes?
that way, when youre going faster, the air is forced in faster....sort of like ram scoop......
so whack a fecking big funnel on the end of those pipes.....

rob

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:38 am

robkendall wrote:wouldnt the best thing to do actually be to have some kind of scoop affair on the end of these inlet pipes?
that way, when youre going faster, the air is forced in faster....sort of like ram scoop......
so whack a fecking big funnel on the end of those pipes.....

rob

My (sometimes fleeting) understanding of aerodynamics suggests this should be of very little use. Far from pushing air in, i think its more likely air would be pulled outwards...depending on placement.

Ever noticed its hard to breath when the wind is blowing in your face?

Certainly i've known someone cut a pipe into their bumper and notice a loss of top end.

Philip_480_Turbo · Post by **Philip_480_Turbo** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:23 am

[quote="

This time i'm keeping the Volvo 'box, putting in a nice Pipercross panel filter. I've already modified the feed to run into the bottom of the front bumper. In all honesty, i can't say i've noticed that much difference-maybe 'cos i'm still running a paper filter?

[/quote]

It definetly matters! When you have a cold air intake and a paper filter, stay out of the rain! As soon as the filter gets wet, it will allow much less air trough the filter. Cotton filters like the k&n ones however, can get wet without letting less air trough, and they will last longer.

Philip

reynolds_p1 · Post by **reynolds_p1** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 1:42 pm

JohnTurbo wrote:Especially when using that space tube stuff...i daren't think what the reynolds number is on that.

WOW! whats a Reynolds number? i have a feeling this is something i should know!! haha!

robkendall · Post by **robkendall** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:20 pm

JohnTurbo wrote:
robkendall wrote:wouldnt the best thing to do actually be to have some kind of scoop affair on the end of these inlet pipes?
that way, when youre going faster, the air is forced in faster....sort of like ram scoop......
so whack a fecking big funnel on the end of those pipes.....

rob
My (sometimes fleeting) understanding of aerodynamics suggests this should be of very little use. Far from pushing air in, i think its more likely air would be pulled outwards...depending on placement.

Ever noticed its hard to breath when the wind is blowing in your face?

Certainly i've known someone cut a pipe into their bumper and notice a loss of top end.

partially tounge in cheek dude

rgrds
rob

Volvo 480 Club Europe

Performance Air Filter for Turbo - which one?

What filter do I run?

Performance Air Filter for Turbo - which one?