Easy Upgrades For My New A4???

[DaveMack]

I didn't mean to offend anyone with any of my statements, although it seems as though I may have. I appologise if I did.

My other link was a personal experience, which I believe (this doesn't mean everyone has to), isn't that what forums are about, sharing personal experience?

You're both right (Coby and MRL T5) ... I overstepped the mark and I unreservedly apologise. With my previous post, it was late, I was tired and I've been around long enough that I should not have 'gone off' on you like that, Coby. It's just ... everytime someone mentions K&N ... it's like an automatic reflex, up comes the 'It'll stuff your MAF' line and I've seen it so often without proof that my auto-reaction stepped in.

So ... I'll rephrase ... 'Statements have often been made that K&N oiled filters might stuff up your MAF, but this forum is unaware of any impirical evidence that this has happened.'

Dave

[vinderliker]

Will the K&N filter stuff up the MAF in my carbie? hehe
sorry had to lighten things up

[Dub_Star_V6]

DaveMack, I don't know what it is either about people blaming K&Ns for failing MAFs ($hits me to tears, too) but good on you for your clarification.

So to help vinderliker lighten the mood a bit more, can everyone please remember...





Let's get back on topic, gents.

[Bug_racer]

Firstly I'll stick to the original topic and answer a few questions :

A Giac chip is still $1100+gst

The engine ecu will try and react to extra boost in the system , it usually has a tolerance of up to about 12psi before it hits limp mode . It will run extremely run due to request vs expected boost being so far apart and not running close to the maps of where it should be , throwing in more fuel to cool down combustion chamber temperature . It can go into full limp mode as well , but that can vary .


Now , Im a strong disbeleiver in the K&N . Why :

When I worked for the factory race team we basically went out to Wakefield park and played around with air intake set-ups . Being N/A this is one area where we could gain power if its done correctly . We could have just dynoed the car , but we needed real world situations on the racetrack and not on a dyno . The K&N pod filter was a full second slower around the track consistantly than the stock set-up . The Panel filter wasnt much better . Basically it may give you a bit more power on the dyno and sound a bit better , but when it came down to consistantly giving airflow at upper rpms the fact that the standard air filter has a greater surface area it basically came out on top . We never did get to test the BMC , although I think that it probably would have came out on top , but the setup we had worked .

As for the oil on MAF issue , Ive changed more MAFs with K&N filters than ones without . I believe that the gain made with the filter could be better spent elsewhere .

[mikk@]

well iv got the BMC air intake kit in another car which i will be selling soon, so might be an optio to give that a try over the POD set up. I do think however, that space migh be an issue with the BMC. i will try take some pice of the current set up to illustrate..

[Jmac]

My personal opinion is that the K and N filter isnt worth the $$$$. Now all that said i have had them in most of the Audis and Vw i have owned, mostly been there when i bought them. Never had any significant gains felt . IMO the K and N reduces the need to service the airfilter and has less chance of blocking. Truth be told you will no doubt feel a difference when you change your original filter at service. There has been reports that the K and N had big gaps in the weave and actually lowered its filtration properties. I personally would spend my coin on something else and make sure i changed my original filter at the correct interval. Ok on the noise side of things thats a different story if thats what you want well on some applications it will give you that much loved throat, The 57I induction pod is a fine unit for producing this. Remember something to add to this the more noise you want the more fuel you burn. One last thing i have also 1st hand experienced a Vauxhall Cavalier GSI (Uk Spec Opel) have a lean out condition and do a piston and was blamed on the 57I kit causing lean out.
So there are pros and cons
My 2c
Cheers
JMac

[Dub_Star_V6]

I ran a full BMC induction kit and filter in my '95 Barina GSi and a 57i in my '02 Astra SRi, and apart from the amazing noise, SOP (Seat of the Pants) dyno said no real power gains from using a pod or oiled 'high flow' filter element.

And despite never having had issues with them, I stopped using K&N/pod-type filters quite a while ago and actually ran an A'Pexi dry element filter in my Subaru, even going to the extent of changing the whole induction set-up to an OEM Gen 2 airbox and inlet assembly, simply because it was a far more efficient design than the Gen 1 and bolted straight in.

Remember that oftentimes, the restriction is in the actual design and efficiency of the inlet and airbox, not at the filter. So dropping in a K&N means you're really just throwing your money away.

JMac (the voice of reason) is right: save your money, use genuine filters and you should never have any issues anyway.

[Jmac]

Exactly right and fully agree with the modification of induction and not just plonking a filter in, why do you think the Polo guys are jumping at Seat intake pipes - exactly that - less restriction and yes many may say this is why we fit Kand N but like i mentioned before that may be true but a standard clean filter does the same just needs to be replaced. Hold up a K and N filter to the light and it has holes. Now dirt doesnt have a built in guide to miss the holes. Never a truer statement it is generally the Airfilter housing or piping to it where the restriction lies and not the filter. Way too much money for what you dont get.
Anyway i think thats clear enough and sorry about the rant but feel its justified. Not knocking anyone fitting the filters by the way.
Cheers
JMac

[Dub_Star_V6]

A new filter doesn't have to mean an aftermarket pod.

[PeDiES]

next he will be saying he wants to put a bov on
Ive heard of oiled filters killing maf's altough not k&n specifically. if you put a pod filter in another problem you have is cooling the ingintion amplifier properly, otherwise id keep a spare in the boot.
a good diverter valve is a must as the bosch one is prone to leak, especially with a chip. and if you really want a big whoosh like a bov then get a forge splitter diverter.
You can chip it but if you willing to put in a few extra dollars you could probably throw a k04 on for around 5g's.