Any updates to open air filter intakes?

I did a search and it looks like there are a few people that have put an open air filter on their cars. I'm wondering if anyone that has done this has an update for those of us that are looking for information. What do you like/not like about it. Would you do it again? What would you change? What filter(s) have you used? Were there any roblems you ran into?

I want to make one myself for my wifes car. I made one for my truck and love it. I've been runnig it for 2 years and have not had any negative side effects.

So let's here it.

Thanks,
cmichalik

Anyone?

[vwbuge]

Had mine on for only a few thousand. So far, so good.

[Pete Burton]

I can't really offer any advice unless I know what you wish to accomplish by changing the air filter. For me, I have no desire to change it at all. I have way too much in parts and time in my engine to filter it with anything other than a high quality filter, well sealed in the stock setup. I would say that you should steer clear of K&N filters and other setups that increase initial airflow at the expense of allowing fine abrasives through the element and into the combustion chambers. Someone here posted some really interesting data concerning various filter setups - worth a search, IMHO

What I am looking for is improved air flow, better mileage, and a better running vehicle. I really think some improvements can be made to the factory system IMPO.

I am not looking for reasons on why I should or should not replace the factory air cleaner w/ a better sealed, better flowing open filter system.

Personally, I don't like oiled filters like K&N except for maybe on a gasoline engine. Overall, I think they are ovr rated.

I have a marine grade Baldwin filter (PA2818) on my PSD and have experianced nothing but possitive results. My wifes car will only benefit from a change. I am looking to use a good quality paper filter similar to the Baldwin.

vwbuge, What did you do? Do you have any picures to share, pittfalls, or bugs you had to work around?

Please share,
cmichalik

[TonyFromWestOz]

Originally Posted by cmichalik

I did a search and it looks like there are a few people that have put an open air filter on their cars. I'm wondering if anyone that has done this has an update for those of us that are looking for information. What do you like/not like about it. Would you do it again? What would you change? What filter(s) have you used? Were there any roblems you ran into?

I want to make one myself for my wifes car. I made one for my truck and love it. I've been runnig it for 2 years and have not had any negative side effects.

So let's here it.

Thanks,
cmichalik

What are you trying to achieve with this modification?
Please describe the modification and explain why it is so good.

[P.E.Haiges]

chichalik,

I did some performance testson air cleaner elements on my '80 300SD. I found no significant difference between a used filter, new filter and no filter.

So I think you are wasting your time fooling around with the air cleaner on a MB Diesel.

P E H

what did your performance test consist of? How were they done and what were you using to gauge your results?

[Pete Burton]

Diesels are throttled with fuel rather than air flow. While a gasoline engine requires a nearly stochiometric mixture for ideal performance and efficiency, but this is not the case with a diesel. Increasing an already sufficient air supply will not improve performance.

[P.E.Haiges]

chichalik,

Timed and MPH runs on a hill about 60 MPH.

P E H

[dkveuro]

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

chichalik,

Timed and MPH runs on a hill about 60 MPH.

P E H

Actually.......a manometer would be sensitive enough to note small changes in air pressure inside the air filter housing...of course, you would need to run a manometer along with air temperature, rpm monitoring and data management to be definitive. Speed, air pressure, wind direction ,altitude and other material factors for correction would most like need the conserted help of the NASA telemetary department and of course a grant from the US government......still.....if they can fund things like viscosity of Ketchup...why not ?

______________________________________________________________
sans spell ck.

Pete,
No disrespect, but I'm going to have to dissagree w/ you. Diesel might be throttled w/ fuel and not air, but all turbo charged diesel's I have delt w/ respond well to opening up the intake and letting it breath a little. If diesels in general didn't respond well to more air then why is there a market for turbo's for diesel engines? If my understanding of a turbo is corect, it works by increasing air flow both going in and out.

P.E.,
No disrespect to you either, but that's not a very scientific method of testing. And I would never expect instant results. I'm not suprized to hear that you didn't find any differance in running new, old, and no filter. What I would expect to see is that over about 1000 miles, you had differant EGT's, varieing MPG consumtion, and a turbo that spools differantly due to the differant filters (or lack of).

I am not wanting to start a war and so far none of the replies are what I'm looking for. I'm not here asking if I should do this or not. I AM here asking what are the best methods TO do this. Refer to my original post if you have forgotten the intention of this thread. We seam to have wandered a little.

I know I want to do this modification. Case in point... I have a 95 Ford Powerstroke. I have a Baldwin filter (refered to above) on it that replaces the entire factory air box. This particular air box is similar in design to an MB air box. When I replaced my filter I experianced a 2-3 MPG jump on my first fill-up. It also cooled the EGT's by about 100 degrees and I added 2-4 Lbs more boost from the turbo. I did this almost 2 years ago and I'm still enjoying everything. It has been consistantly getting 22 MPG, sometimes 23 MPG. Before my new filter it was getting roughly 17-19 MPG and NEVER above 19.5. I find it really hard to believe that this has nothing to do w/ a better flowing filter that ='s more air into the engine.

So please, no more posting telling me I'm wasting my time. I only want posts from drivers that have installed and are still running an open air filter system. If you like it, don't like it or what ever. I think most of us are so stuck w/ the thought that MB designers are Gods and that their car is perfect that we're missing the big picture. We can make improvement on a good design.

Flame suit on.

C

[vwbuge]

I can't say it is only because of the intake but my car hammers off the line. I am sure the boost controller has something to do with it. Anyway, boost controller + open air intake + no muffler = impressive diesel acceleration.

[vwbuge]

OK What gives here. Why do I have to shrink my pics down so freakin' small while everyone else posts big ass pics???????????

Thanks VWB! That's what I'm talking about. What kind f filter is that and waht's the part number?