617: Replacing air filter assembly?
 

I was thinking yesterday while I was under my trunk that it wouldn't be that hard completely remove the air filter housing, chuck that U-shaped tube to the turbo, and make a downpipe to somewhere directly below the turbo, and stick one of the conical air filters seen below on it. For me, I think the under-hood environment would look a lot better. Some of the ricers even do this specifically to collect colder air, to hopefully pack cooler(more dense) air into the engine- like an intercooler. I'm not concerned at all about preserving the authentic design of the engine bay, and I think it'd be cool to get a direct look at the turbo instead of it being hidden beneath the filter housing.

Something would have to be done about the oil seperator.

Comments?

http://www.maj.com/gallery/Ned/benz/filter.jpg

That filter is too small.

the area you describe is behind the radiator. It will be warmer air.

Good points- how are air filters rated, in CFM? Are those ratings published? I don't recall having seen them.

I was actually thinking going way down, mostly below the radiator. The only thing I'd be worried about is water, but the filter ought to take care of that, right?

I modified a ricer intake off of a 97 Honda civic with a hack saw, because my junkyard engine did not come with an air filter assembly. I think it looks good, and it gives the turbo a whine any ricer would be proud of. Now I need to make up an oil separator so that my valve cover breather does not just vent to under the car.

Here is what it sounds like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mu58UUUaxQ

I think I like it. Where did you get the ricer intake?

Shucks Auto Supply. You could probably get it for allot less off of eBay, but I was in a rush.

Neat. I'd be concerned about the filter capacity though, as FI pointed out. Does the filter seem to get enough air to the engine?

It seems too. Before I did it I found a post where somebody calculated the surface area of a cone filter verses the stock filter. The cone filters had equal or greater area. Make sure you oil the filter well with that red spray on filter oil. They don't filter worth beans when they are dry.


Half what I paid: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-97-98-99-00-Honda-Civic-JDM-Intake-Air-Filter-System_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38634QQihZ014QQitemZ330023597458QQrdZ1

Negatory. "Cold air" filters are an extremely bad idea because of that hydrolock risk.

CFM is the best rating. But do a search on air filters here (especially K&N) and you will see that they give 0% difference in performance or economy on "old" mechanical diesels. In fact, they can hurt the engine because they don't filter ANYWHERE near as well as a paper filter. The only gain you will get is "noise".

Mine is behind the headlight so I am not too worried about water. I know that they do not filter as well, but it beats the filter I had. :D

You are right. I was talking about the "cold air" setups that have the filter infront of the wheel, down low, under the bumper, etc... Those are the places where water can be sucked in quickest.

Behind the headlight is no problem unless you are fording rivers. :D It just sucks in less than ideal air

If it's about looks, go for it. The factory setup is very good, both at sourcing cold air from in front of the radiator, and in filtering the air for a long engine life. It would be work to improve the factory setup, but obviously it can be done, just not at the price of an oil and gauze filter.

Here is the one I put in; it also deals with the oil separator and flows plenty of air. That turbo whine is almost as loud as my 99 F250 Powerstroke's.

thats what i want.. so everyone knows ive got a turbodiesel... i was thinking of doingsomething like that and a oil seperator from a 240D since last i checked that had an external seperator

Are you the person that sells those on ebay?

Only the later 240s (81 and up I think) have those seperators