Alright so I have an HKS cast manifold and a T04S turbo, .96 a/r hotside, .70 a/r compressor that I'm putting on my T2. I would like to keep the stock clutch fan because I need all the cooling I can get with the FMIC.

I bought a bigass AEM 4 inch inlet cone (9" long) but making that thing fit will be really hard. What about putting a couple layers of mesh over the turbo inlet? How much filtering am I losing from that and how much restriction am I creating?

Are there alternative brands of intakes I can consider? Like I said, an electric fan and TID in front of that is going to cost time and money while hurting my overall cooling. I really would rather keep the clutch fan if possible. As it is, I think I will have to cut part of the fan shroud to make anything fit at all.

In these pics I have posted I have laid out my intercooler piping (which still has to be cut) and the cone filter. The clutch fan and fan shroud are close to the turbo. I would have to cut the shroud a little bit and then use a bend at least, but it may even be too tight for that.

 

you still running an AFM? There isn't one in those pictures, but there is a pressure sensor, so I wasn't sure. :P


if not, just build a TID, route it into the fenderwell or something, and mount a filter there. I think there's enough room behind the windshield washer tank. You could even feed it air from the brake cooling duct. Oooh.

 

I dunno... that would be really tight with intercooler piping there and the cone filter is really long.

And I will have a standalone. No AFM to worry about.

Any thoughts on using a screen though?

 

Stupid idea.


-Ted

 

Why dont you make a TID like said, but get a smaller filter! No need to such a long one!

 

you're going to choke your engine or injest a rock, one or the other.

 

Take measurements of your available space and order a universal K&N that will fit.
http://www.knfilters.com/universal/universal.htm

Mesh not only makes for a lousy filter, but it also flows less than a well-designed filter such as those from K&N or AEM.

 

Well, mesh is certainly out of the question then. .

I just clocked the turbo and checked clearance, and I might even be able to fit the one I have in there after all . If not I will find a universal one that is a little shorter. I think I will be able to buy a prebent 45 degree or 90 degree aluminum pipe and cut it to size to make it all work.

 

Filtering? Well, it'll keep big rocks out... that's about it. The stuff that chews on the innards of an engine is the dust/grime/etc that's small but hard.

Restriction? One layer of mesh? Not much. Enough layers that you might actually filter something with it? I think that many layers will prevent dirt from coming in by more or less preventing air from coming in.

As pointed out by other posters, you're way, way, WAY better off either making your current filter fit or getting a shorter one. There's a lot more surface area to filter with (read, less air flow per unit surface area), and much better filter materials involved.

-=Russ=-

 

Actually, it is a restriction when a fine mesh is installed straight across the face of the turbo inlet like you may have seen on some drag cars. Some of the higher-flow filters on the market (K&N & Apexi) have a wire mesh, but use a pleated design that allows for maximum filter surface area in a minimal space.

Example assuming the same size of mesh on a turbo with a 4" inlet:

Single layer of mesh = 12.56 sq in (starts restricting at about 168bhp*)
K&N RU-2520 (5.375-4.375"dia x 5") cone filter = 65.05 sq in (starts restricting at about 295bhp)
K&N RD-1400 (7"dia x 6") round filter = 115.4 sq in (starts restricting at about 524bhp)

* Ignores the bell mouth inlet design of the turbo, which will increase this number via aerodynamics. Unfortunately, I have no reliable method to calculate this. However, this number is fairly accurate if the turbo is fed via a 4" tube with a mesh filter over the inlet.

 

Just buy a K&N shorty. Its about 3"-4" long with a 4" inlet. Thats what I'm using.


TID's are for girls j/k

 

Pod filter style? I dont see what the big deal is. Just bite the bullet and get a new filter.