Carb questions

[walshydub]

Just wondering if it was possible to replace the nasty plastic air filter, like this one;


with a 'hat' type air filter, like this;



without having to buy a new carb?

What are the benefits of a 'hat' type filter?

[Jarred]

...without having to buy a new carb?

What are the benefits of a 'hat' type filter?

1. yes, most probably. the bottom of those style of filters are interchangeable between different style of carbs, so you just have to get the base that suits the carb that you have.

2. probably not much performance wise, although does make the engine bay cleaner, and might increase airflow a little.

[walshydub]

1. yes, most probably. the bottom of those style of filters are interchangeable between different style of carbs, so you just have to get the base that suits the carb that you have.

2. probably not much performance wise, although does make the engine bay cleaner, and might increase airflow a little.

It would mainly be for looks. A 1.6 carby isn't exactly a performance engine and the standard air filter assembly is just such an ugly bugger.

VW's use Solex carbs, don't they?

[Jarred]

should be a stamping on the side of the carb somewhere.

VW used solexs, but also pierburg on mk2' 1.6's. you'd have to check yourself to be sure.

[walshydub]

should be a stamping on the side of the carb somewhere.

VW used solexs, but also pierburg on mk2' 1.6's. you'd have to check yourself to be sure.

I think you're right pierburg rings a bell.

[gldgti]

one nice thing about hte stock setup is that you can easily rig it to get cold air from the front, whereas the aftermarket carb-top filters are so poorly positioned.

[walshydub]

one nice thing about hte stock setup is that you can easily rig it to get cold air from the front, whereas the aftermarket carb-top filters are so poorly positioned.

Excuse my ignorance, but, why is it an issue if a carb only sucks in hot air?
I know cold air is denser than hot, but i thought that was only an issue for forced induction engines. If the air has been filtered why does it matter if it is hot or not? Also carb-top setup has a larger surface area too.

[Jarred]

it doesn't matter weather its on forced induction vehicle or not, the principle is the same, cooler air = better bang. (basically)

it's just more noticable and more important for forced induction, because of al the extra air/pressure involved.

[walshydub]

That makes sense.

Does it have any negative affect on the engine, besides performance, in terms of cooling, reliability, etc?

[Jarred]

she might get a bit un happy sitting in traffic on a hot summers day, but that's bound to happen to some degree anyways.

if the engine is standard, a cold air intake wont make much difference in this case, and likewise going backwards, wont make much difference, but it'd be slightly noticable when the car is in traffic (no air flow under the bonnet which means it's surrounded by warm air, where as cold air intake is lower to the ground and has better chance of breathing fresh air.)