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Air Filter question
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 2:24 pm
by 21mrk
Hey,
Just wondering, I went to buy a pod air filter today and found that you cant get a filter with a 4 inch outlet off the shelf...have to order it.
Now, I was told that I could simply step down some pipe to use a 3 inch filter..just wondering what people have done...and what filter they have used.
I was looking at ordering a K&N 4 inch...just didnt want to wait for it.
also, the 3 inch was $89 and the 4 inch was $179
The way I see it is there would be a lot of restriction stepping down to a 3 inch...
Thanks
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 2:38 pm
by TheSentry
A solution to fitting a 3 inch pod on the intake pipe is to get an adapter. 4 inch or so at one end for the intake pipe and 3 inch at the other to fit the pod on.
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 3:15 pm
by Boris
I think it's up to you, Yes the cost is quite diffrent, but bigger is better, and it's hard to say by how much, and to justify it. If you want the best for your car get 4"+ with a box
There are many options, and it's very customizable.
Here is how mine looks, the flange is I think 4" to 6", you should hear it!
<img border="0" src="
http://www.boryadesign.net/fto/my/air_filter.JPG">
I really need a box & a better induction pipe... working on it...
Just my 2 cents!
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 4:03 pm
by TheSentry
I don't think you can justify it unless your using a different intake pipe. No matter what size pod your going to get, it's going to be restricted by the stock intake pipe. You're only likely to make worthwhile gains if you change the piping to say the UAS one. The gains that the pipe/pod/enclosure make were clearly shown during the recent dyno day.
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 4:05 pm
by ruchi
The most important issue, aside from air temp / density, is the volume of air. Using a 4" to 3" convertor won't change the volume of air, it will just mean that the pressure through that section will be higher. No big deal.
Personally, I'd be more concerned about the volume of air that your air filter can let through as this is a bigger issue. In simple terms, the larger the air filter, the greater the surface area, the easier it can breath and the easier it is for a high volume of air to come through. The other thing about a larger surface area is that the suction force will be lower, allowing the filter to better trap dirt and dust, rather than sucking it through the filtering material.
A good size K&N filter for the FTO is the same one they use on the Calais. It's quite a bit bigger than the small pods that you normally see (probably around twice the length of Boris'). It still fits in, but not with much room

and works beautifully. It will cost a little more, and you will need the adapter, but it breathes better and lets in less dust than the smaller pods.
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 5:19 pm
by Supplanter
Can you tell ruchi has one

Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 9:31 pm
by swork
i just installed steves and UAS's kit and from the first moment it hit mivec i could feel the difference already. ive gotten back my missing "kick" when mivec hits!
The unifilter pod made the "air sucking" noise quieter than my old k&n but mivec roars a lot louder now.
You really do need to change the stock intake pipe as everyone says because just by looking at it you can see the restriction in that thin "crumpled" part near the battery.
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 10:47 pm
by TimmyD
awww but the air sucking noise sounds great...
silly people who dont know what there talking about think you have a stock turbo with that sound
LOL!
Tim
Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 9:51 am
by 21mrk

yeah! I miss the sound of all stainless pipes and a turbo from my old silvia..so yeah...me thinks I want it LOUD!!!
so with that in mind, I will probably go the 4" K&N or similar
cheers for all the info too

Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 2:27 pm
by smorison
changing the Air filter isn't really worth it, if your keeping the stock piping you might as well just throw in a K&N panel filter.
if you want performance increases you should go with the redesigned intaking piping.
Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 3:13 pm
by 21mrk
yeah I was thinking about this today..and cant work out what path to take.
Should I get a pipe made that goes from the 3" to the 4" or just keep it simple and have it 3" all the way to a 3" pod?
Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 3:48 pm
by Leigh
I got a 3" pipe made upto sit just behind the foglight and use a 3" K&N pod, I'll get some pics, when I find a camera. It made a noticable differance over the stock one and another cheaper flexi-pipe + smaller K&N pod set up I had before. Now winter is approching, I've found the car is responding even better on these recent cold nights, with a big pull hitting mivec, rather then a constant increase with the revs as it does during the day.
side note:
I had a smug new *ptshh ptshh* XR6Turbo ute give me a run, and It was close but I crept infront just before I had to turn off for the freeway. muahaha!
Posted: Sun May 09, 2004 2:31 pm
by payaya
nice so your car runs low 14's? is it turbo?
Posted: Sun May 09, 2004 2:34 pm
by payaya
seriously if a cold air intake its basically strait it wouldnt work properly imo.
I reckon a pod filter will make you lose power if it isnt sealed as when at low speeds, the pod would be sucking in hot air from the engine, as no cold air is present, and the cold air intake wouldnt be working becuase of the low speeds.
And when are able to get some cold air into their finally only a tad of the cold air would be coming from the air intake, most just throught the grill etc.
whats the point of a 4 inch adapter? its not like our cars run 7.0 V8 supercharged motors. Unless your one of those types who love bragging rights. I know the GR doesnt even have 4 inches i dont think at the AFM. So considering the GR and GPX would such similar amounts of air, 4 inches is overkill.
Unless you definition of 4 inches is a lot less than the way i see it?

Posted: Sun May 09, 2004 2:40 pm
by Boris
And what other mods?
Is there a thread on FTO WA that has your mods already?
Congrats, on such good times, i'm jelous!

Posted: Sun May 09, 2004 6:53 pm
by TheSentry
payaya wrote:nice so your car runs low 14's? is it turbo?
I was thinking the same thing. To perform that well against an XR6 T it's gotta be doing low 14s and hitting 0-100 in high 5s.
Posted: Sun May 09, 2004 7:00 pm
by payaya
prob the driver was a crap driver

Posted: Sun May 09, 2004 8:17 pm
by Boris
Posted: Sun May 09, 2004 8:22 pm
by payaya
ah so pretty level par then, my mistake! The utes weigh a crapload as well!
Any chance the drag strip in WA goes downhill?

Posted: Mon May 10, 2004 3:39 am
by Leigh
The guy was turning onto the street I was on, looking at me as I went past. He caught up to me and started to taunt with this really loud blow-off valve.
I looked at him to give him a 'gday' thumbs up and a grin, but he was looking straight forward.
So I down geared and went... so did he!
He could be a cruddy driver, or just in a bad gear, but, whatever! He provoked and lost!
The new XR8/6T are the only falcons I like. Good looking car I reckon. nice blue and purple colours they have too.
I havn't been back to the drag strip since. but haven't made any changes anyhoo. I'm kinda interested in the extractors though. I'll see if I can save my pennies.
oh, and yep! its 100% natural flavours, colourings and induction!