Air Filter

[Paul M]

Not usually stumped in trying to locate something fairly obvious on a car but where is the Chim air filter?

[Roy the Boy]

It's low down in front of the radiator.

[Pupp]

It'll be the sticky thing covered in grit, leaves and crisp bags inside the nose cone

[TVRich]

Just replaced mine with a K&N unit.
It has to be the easiest air filter to change!!

[SharkyTVR]

I didn't know K&N did one! I tried to get a new one for mine as it is indeed covered in grit and general goopy stuff, and was told K&N, Pipercross and the likes didn't do one. Is that my own fault for asking the kids who work in halfords?

[That Daddy]

Act performance or TVR shop

[TVRich]

SharkyTVR said:

I didn't know K&N did one! I tried to get a new one for mine as it is indeed covered in grit and general goopy stuff, and was told K&N, Pipercross and the likes didn't do one. Is that my own fault for asking the kids who work in halfords?

It isn't a standard K&N line so Halfords wouldn't sell it.
Got mine off ebay (ACT sell it on there) works out a little cheaper on ebay than buying direct.

[Pupp]

The oem TVR foam one is a Pipercross unit but they don't list as an aftermarket application. If still in good shape, can be carefully washed and re-oiled (sticky filter oil available from motorcycle dealers... as used on off-road bikes etc)

[Andy JB]

I have an aftermarket Pipercross spun alloy cone filter on mine - works fine. Easy to clean & change, problem is refitting the grill afterwards!!!

[bhpjon]

Andy JB said:

I have an aftermarket Pipercross spun alloy cone filter on mine - works fine. Easy to clean & change, problem is refitting the grill afterwards!!!

Ditto! be careful putting rubber back (holding in grill) 1st time i almost impaled a very understanding AA man on my screwdriver as he was trying to help me, the second time i did it very carefully and still slipped with the screwdriver and took a chunk out of front paintwork, good luck!!

[poorpeet]

I did away with the old fixing method. I fitted flexible edge trim around the mesh edge then used matt black screws & washer to fix it to the old numberplate mount. I was going to do away with the screws & use a spring mount as I thought the screws woul look naff but TBH they hardly show.
In any case I have moved the number plate back to it's original position so those screws now hold the grill as well.

[Paul M]

Thanks all. I'll go and have a look for it later.

[Cider Andy]

Being a 1997 car it most likely doesn't have a grille, just and opening with a bar across that the number plate fixes to. The air filter is still a foam rubber cone, but it will be mounted high up just in front of the radiator (to the right as you look from the front). Depending on how it's mounted, you may have to remove the number plate before removing the air filter and you may have to squash the filter slightly to get it through the opening.

It's an excellent filter, so unless it has holes in it or it's so caked up it can't be cleaned, I'd clean and re-oil it.

[Paul M]

Cider Andy said:

Being a 1997 car it most likely doesn't have a grille, just and opening with a bar across that the number plate fixes to. The air filter is still a foam rubber cone, but it will be mounted high up just in front of the radiator (to the right as you look from the front). Depending on how it's mounted, you may have to remove the number plate before removing the air filter and you may have to squash the filter slightly to get it through the opening.

It's an excellent filter, so unless it has holes in it or it's so caked up it can't be cleaned, I'd clean and re-oil it.

Very helpful, thanks Cider Andy.
Yes its the "facelift" 97 car without the grille.
Another little job for the weekend

[Paul M]

Located the air filter

From the state of it I think a replacement is due soon!