Is buying a K&N air filter for a Volvo worthwhile?
Discussion
Believe it or not, my 2.4 S80 (yes really) sounds quite nice, but I wouldn't mind if it sounded better, more of the time. I'm guessing a decent air filter may achieve this, or is it tantamount to pi
ing in the wind? It's a large automatic Volvo (and I already know this), please show mercy.
ing in the wind? It's a large automatic Volvo (and I already know this), please show mercy.Hmmmm, no. You don't really change an air filter in order to get a better sound.
Although they can make a small difference. Depends on what kind of filter you're talking about.
A replacement panel filter in the airbox will make naff-all difference.
A bolt on cone type filter might make a small sound difference. (ie, replacing the air box).
Although they can make a small difference. Depends on what kind of filter you're talking about.
A replacement panel filter in the airbox will make naff-all difference.
A bolt on cone type filter might make a small sound difference. (ie, replacing the air box).
Fartgalen said:
Hmmmm, no. You don't really change an air filter in order to get a better sound.
Although they can make a small difference. Depends on what kind of filter you're talking about.
A replacement panel filter in the airbox will make naff-all difference.
A bolt on cone type filter might make a small sound difference. (ie, replacing the air box).
Depends what kind of car it's on. Changing from an airbox to an open cone filter can make a big difference to induction noise. Most factory-fit airboxes are restrictive, preventing optimum airflow into the engine (for economy perhaps?), and minimising noise - induction roar is not something old Bob wants to hear in his Mercedes when he is driving his wife to the Carvery on a Sunday afternoon!Although they can make a small difference. Depends on what kind of filter you're talking about.
A replacement panel filter in the airbox will make naff-all difference.
A bolt on cone type filter might make a small sound difference. (ie, replacing the air box).
I've been looking at induction kits for my Civic Type R and there are a few options. Open cone filters are not recommended on the VTEC engine because they can harm throttle response, which is obviously not such an issue on turbo cars but could be quite detrimental to the VTEC style engine. A lot of the induction options for the Type R involve airboxes of various materials and shapes, some with integrated cold air feeds, to improve airflow into the engine without losing the intake pressure required for crisp throttle response. All the various kits, with their differences in shape and build, have different induction noises.
Cone filters, particularly on turbo engines, allow for a real sucking / whooshing noise when the turbo is spooling up, the overall effect is best described as the engine just sounding more free, as if it's breathing better, which of course, it is.
As for K&N, I wouldn't bother. Allegedly, they hold a lot of oil which can eventually coat your MAF and give it some trouble. Induction was is a hot topic for debate on my previous car, a Seat Leon Cupra R, with a lot of options for induction kits. The most popular option for Cupra R owners were Jetex filters of various descriptions, but there were some other popular choices, Green Cotton probably being the second most popular brand. My car had a Green Cotton fitted when I first got it, I changed to a smaller Jetex filter but the engine seemed ever better for it. Cheaper than a K&N, excellent service and the bloke I spoke to on the phone was very knowledgeable too. They definitely both had different sounds! Depending on the shape, size and material used in the filter's construction, the pitch and tone of the induction noise is altered.
I will agree though, that if you maintain the standard airbox your car comes with and change the panel filter, the change in induction noise will be minimal to non-existant.
EDIT: If you really want your Volvo to sound better, consider a sports exhaust. There may or may not be some off-the-shelf options available, I'm not that down with the Volvos. However, your best option is probably to visit a custom exhaust fabricator. They will be able to get the tone and volume you specify (within reason, they can't make your Volvo sound like an Impreza for example) and you can choose the style of tailpipe, so you get pretty much all your aesthetic boxes ticked. For the fabrication and fitting of the box, I'd reckon you'd be looking at about £200.
Edited by Mastodon2 on Thursday 15th September 00:50
Garlick said:
Russell
You work within the PistonHeads office, and as such I am saddened to see this post.
Of course it isn't worth it. You aren't 16, you don't drive a Nova and you should be ashamed of yourself. In fact, I think I'll pop to HR to see if this post is a disciplinary offence.......
You work within the PistonHeads office, and as such I am saddened to see this post.
Of course it isn't worth it. You aren't 16, you don't drive a Nova and you should be ashamed of yourself. In fact, I think I'll pop to HR to see if this post is a disciplinary offence.......
kambites said:
Putting a cone type filter on will make induction louder. It will almost certainly also reduce power, assuming the standard air box pulls its air from somewhere cool.
They can give you more torque, better throttle response, and a better noise though. Its never a huge loss of power.Garlick said:
Russell
You work within the PistonHeads office, and as such I am saddened to see this post.
Of course it isn't worth it. You aren't 16, you don't drive a Nova and you should be ashamed of yourself. In fact, I think I'll pop to HR to see if this post is a disciplinary offence.......
Being "down with the kids", I recognise this post as Russell being pwnedYou work within the PistonHeads office, and as such I am saddened to see this post.
Of course it isn't worth it. You aren't 16, you don't drive a Nova and you should be ashamed of yourself. In fact, I think I'll pop to HR to see if this post is a disciplinary offence.......
Mr Dave said:
Ignore these people, they are just trying to bring you down, it will sound brilliant, do it!
Do it and prove them wrong.
And put a video up on youtube.
Argh, alas, my main-man Judenn (from somewhere) has already obliged: Do it and prove them wrong.
And put a video up on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kmXnRXHrrg
Garlick said:
Russell
You work within the PistonHeads office, and as such I am saddened to see this post.
Of course it isn't worth it. You aren't 16, you don't drive a Nova and you should be ashamed of yourself. In fact, I think I'll pop to HR to see if this post is a disciplinary offence.......
You work within the PistonHeads office, and as such I am saddened to see this post.
Of course it isn't worth it. You aren't 16, you don't drive a Nova and you should be ashamed of yourself. In fact, I think I'll pop to HR to see if this post is a disciplinary offence.......
Mr Dave said:
They can give you more torque, better throttle response, and a better noise though. Its never a huge loss of power.
Unless you have a cone filter that is either heat-shielded off from the rest of the engine (usually with metal sheets as walls and floor of the shield box and the closed bonnet forming the roof) or you use a cone filter that has it's own integrated case around it, heatsoak will affect your power and throttle response. Standard airboxes are generally restrictive to airflow, allowing less air but at a higher pressure. Less overall charge going into the engine but the high pressure allows for the sharp throttle response.I had an open, unshielded cone on my last car and on hot, still days the drop in power was very noticeable, the turbo took much longer to spool and was not as strong once on boost. Compared to a cold evening drive, the difference was black and white. With a cone filter you can get bigger highs of power but if you don't have a heatshield you can expect bigger lows too!
As for the lol at the suggestion of a sports exhaust on a Volvo S80, I'd imagine with a freer flowing ehxaust you could probably get a decent tone from the 5 cylinder engine. I've been in S60s and their inline 5s sound great when building revs, but the exhausts are nearly silent. While some might think that trying to make an S80 louder is folly, because most of the buyers are probably the kind of people that would appreciate the near-silent, refined drive, that is not to say that a decent exhaust system couldn't make one sound nicer.
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