MKV intake modification (Modshack prototype)

[Greg Roles]

You got it mate.

The filter is nothing major, easily obtained.

The beautiful phenolic tube and insulation he uses isn't so easy. I've tried to play with phenolic plastic before...good luck finding sheets let alone tubes of that size! It's one of the best insulators available.

THOSE things are the major things for me Log-man.

[vanDub]

It is a K&N filter so I am of the opinion that it should be safe for the engine.

Don't get me wrong, this looks like a great improvement over standard but I recall reading on one of the sites a while back that K&N Filters are known as "MAF Killers" due to the oil from the filter medium getting into/onto the MAF as screwing it.

Any views on K&N's as I intended to use one until I read about the "MAF Killer" bit. (can't find the link now of course)

[Logzy]

Don't get me wrong, this looks like a great improvement over standard but I recall reading on one of the sites a while back that K&N Filters are known as "MAF Killers" due to the oil from the filter medium getting into/onto the MAF as screwing it.

Any views on K&N's as I intended to use one until I read about the "MAF Killer" bit. (can't find the link now of course)

This is also a concern of mine too which i was thinking about last night.
Its also been proven that the standard air filter does a better job of filtering than what the K&N filters do.
So therefore they are not protecting your engine as well as the standard.

[mikinoz]

If there is proof that the standard filter is better at protecting the engine, and you are not concerned about the power loss from the standard airbox restrictions stick with it I say.

I have had no problems with K&N in the past (with various Subaru / VW / Holden) and feel that they are adequate.

Not living in a sandy or rural area also leads me to be less concerned.

As we are not planning on holding on to the car for longer than 3 or so years, and the fact we have only done 16K in 12 months - I am not sure that there is a lot of difference that will be made to engine life in my ownership.

[vanDub]

This BMW link gives some views on K&N Filters

http://member.rivernet.com.au/btaylo...&NFilters.html

Seems K&N Filters, esp pod filters are worse than standard unless insulated from engine compartment hot air (which this mod seeems to do). At best they appear to be borderline for performance gain and allow more dust through. Better airflow new out of the box but loading up very quickly for WORSE airflow. Not good with K&N recommending cleaning only every 50K miles.

[orsegtsport]

I've run K&N filters on all my cars without issue. The guys at Tunit in the UK reckon that running a K&N panel filter on their remapped GT TDI has improved airflow by around 30%, and provided an appreciable performance improvement. I think the key to avoiding MAF sensor problems is simply not to over oil the filter.

[Greg Roles]

Ahh the old K&N debate....

I have a panel in my TDI, and whilst I ran the stock one on the dyno, when I swap it I don't really notice anything. I just like the fact that you CAN service it, and in that way pretty much keep it at optimum all the time. Again in both Modshacks and my humble opinion, the problem is the lid elbow, not the filter.

I too found a bit of info on the oil killing MAF's, but they were speaking around 50 to 80 thou MILES, and as a new MAF costs a whopping $60 US, it's no big deal really.

All the same it's WHY I have a nice Apexi dry pod on it's way, and it will go into a shielded pod setup like this. Mik's setup is great for heat shielding, certainly NOT an open pod style, and the only possible flaw I can see it that the front of the beautiful Modshack tube would ideally be sealed so that air can ONLY be drawn through the front entrance, and not around the front edges of the tube.

Mik's words sum it up...he FELT a difference. After all, isn't THAT the main goal?

[Dyldo]

howdy all. Figured i'd resurrect this thread with a few comments. I've recently taken my Modshack VTDA off my TDI after about 20K kms, and have also done about 2 full tanks of fuel after having it off.

I have clearly noticed a quieter engine (remember we like a little bit of intake nastiness, its why we go pod filters ) but the lag and delay is back. There is also a distinct lack of low and mid pulling power because of the lag.

Lastly, I've noticed i am getting 100kms LESS out of each tank now, with absolutely similar driving to my previous 20K kms (mostly 160Kms per day of highway at least) so the economy has gotten worse. obviously, its still awesome dieselness compared to petrol though, but still.

Conclusion - The VTDA on the TDI was a great mod and helped fill a torque hole and increased fuel econ markedly.

[benough]

Who sells them? I assume they come with a pod filter in them?

[mikinoz]

Ian at Rennenhaus - you need the model to suit MKV R32.