Talk to me about air filters
Discussion
I'm planning on doing a bit of work to my Caterham over the next few months. One thing that looks a bit tired of late is the air filter. I know nothing about what makes a good air filter.
It's a 1.8 Rover VVC unit with roughly 175BHP. It's still got the stock and probably original, although I can't be 100% certain filter on it. I believe it's a pipercross unit make from foam.
I have looked on Pipercross's and K&N's websites in regards to getting a new one, but I'm not really sure what's what. I could buy the same again off Caterham, but I thought that there must be better going than standard?
Current setup:
As you can see, the filter is at the back of the engine. There are many many vents in a caterham bonnet, but I'm assuming that it must get a fair bit of hot engine air fed/ sucked into it?
The car lives outside and due to the air filter being under a bonnet full of vents, I'm assuming the filter gets wet often. I don't know if this would make any difference on filter material?
Just wondering if I can make a improvement to go with some engine work and a new exhaust fitted last year.
It's a 1.8 Rover VVC unit with roughly 175BHP. It's still got the stock and probably original, although I can't be 100% certain filter on it. I believe it's a pipercross unit make from foam.
I have looked on Pipercross's and K&N's websites in regards to getting a new one, but I'm not really sure what's what. I could buy the same again off Caterham, but I thought that there must be better going than standard?
Current setup:
As you can see, the filter is at the back of the engine. There are many many vents in a caterham bonnet, but I'm assuming that it must get a fair bit of hot engine air fed/ sucked into it?
The car lives outside and due to the air filter being under a bonnet full of vents, I'm assuming the filter gets wet often. I don't know if this would make any difference on filter material?
Just wondering if I can make a improvement to go with some engine work and a new exhaust fitted last year.
Justin S said:
Looks like a standard 52mm K series throttle body. Just get a filter with that size neck and jubilee clip it on. Looks like a Pipercross original. Looks well enough to wash it out and re oil and use again.
You're spot on. I've also washed previously. Just wondering if better can be had. The filter looks in good nick to me. I was using one that was much tattier than that.
Personally I can't see an easy way to improve it. If it was facing the other way like the early 1400 Supersports then you could look at a cold air feed but I dont think you have room.
You and I both know of course that you need DTH throttle bodies
Personally I can't see an easy way to improve it. If it was facing the other way like the early 1400 Supersports then you could look at a cold air feed but I dont think you have room.
You and I both know of course that you need DTH throttle bodies
VHPD said:
The filter looks in good nick to me. I was using one that was much tattier than that.
Personally I can't see an easy way to improve it. If it was facing the other way like the early 1400 Supersports then you could look at a cold air feed but I dont think you have room.
You and I both know of course that you need DTH throttle bodies
The pictures old and it has got a bit tattier. Just looking for room for improvement really!Personally I can't see an easy way to improve it. If it was facing the other way like the early 1400 Supersports then you could look at a cold air feed but I dont think you have room.
You and I both know of course that you need DTH throttle bodies
I could have had the throttle bodies, but by the time I got the Dave Andrews bill, I'm glad I didn't go for the more expensive upgrade package.
Another potentially stupid question has come into my head. so here it comes....
Can I remove my air plenum and fit throttle bodies to my car instead? My cars got the VVC engine as mentioned. Would the standard ECU take the new improved air intake into account, or would I have to get in line to buy a programmable ECU such as the ever popular Emerald with Caterhams.
David
Can I remove my air plenum and fit throttle bodies to my car instead? My cars got the VVC engine as mentioned. Would the standard ECU take the new improved air intake into account, or would I have to get in line to buy a programmable ECU such as the ever popular Emerald with Caterhams.
David
Gingerbread Man said:
Another potentially stupid question has come into my head. so here it comes....
Can I remove my air plenum and fit throttle bodies to my car instead? My cars got the VVC engine as mentioned. Would the standard ECU take the new improved air intake into account, or would I have to get in line to buy a programmable ECU such as the ever popular Emerald with Caterhams.
David
It would need a total re-map, dont know how flexible your standard ECU is, but the tune will be quite a bit different.Can I remove my air plenum and fit throttle bodies to my car instead? My cars got the VVC engine as mentioned. Would the standard ECU take the new improved air intake into account, or would I have to get in line to buy a programmable ECU such as the ever popular Emerald with Caterhams.
David
I switched from a single plane to an ITB setup on my LS, but i have Emerald anyway, but the map is totally altered.
VHPD said:
Gingerbread Man said:
Can I remove my air plenum and fit throttle bodies to my car instead?
David
David
VHPD said:
You and I both know of course that you need DTH throttle bodies
You would need an Emerald ECU and a mapping session in addition to the TBS/Airbox. That wouldnt leave much change out of 2K even if you did the installation yourself.
I've yet to see a successful VVC engine with TBs, the improvement over the plenum installation doesn't justify the price tag. If you go for solid cams (BP285H or similar) then the engine will be much improved but you will be well over the limit for stock pistons. I cant remember whether we fitted upgraded pistons to yours..
Dave
I've yet to see a successful VVC engine with TBs, the improvement over the plenum installation doesn't justify the price tag. If you go for solid cams (BP285H or similar) then the engine will be much improved but you will be well over the limit for stock pistons. I cant remember whether we fitted upgraded pistons to yours..
Dave
You'd need a new ECU, throttle cable, cooling system parts (water rail?), fuel pressure regulator, obviously the throttle body themselves, new injectors, air filters etc... not a job to be underestimated.
A no-expense-spared Jenvey/MBE throttle body conversion on my Dad's Megagrad yielded a 22BHP increase from 138BHP to 160BHP, and significantly more torque. The car was fitted with the above listed parts plus a new exhaust system and Lambda sensor. The cost ran into a few grand.
The standard filter flows pretty well, losing the Plenum is beneficial in shortening the inlet tract but I can't see that there will be any measurable gain to finding a 'better' air filter. All you'll succeed in doing is wedging a gread big cone filter between the pedal box and the bonnet!
A no-expense-spared Jenvey/MBE throttle body conversion on my Dad's Megagrad yielded a 22BHP increase from 138BHP to 160BHP, and significantly more torque. The car was fitted with the above listed parts plus a new exhaust system and Lambda sensor. The cost ran into a few grand.
The standard filter flows pretty well, losing the Plenum is beneficial in shortening the inlet tract but I can't see that there will be any measurable gain to finding a 'better' air filter. All you'll succeed in doing is wedging a gread big cone filter between the pedal box and the bonnet!
Classic Grad 98 said:
You'd need a new ECU, throttle cable, cooling system parts (water rail?), fuel pressure regulator, obviously the throttle body themselves, new injectors, air filters etc... not a job to be underestimated.
A no-expense-spared Jenvey/MBE throttle body conversion on my Dad's Megagrad yielded a 22BHP increase from 138BHP to 160BHP, and significantly more torque. The car was fitted with the above listed parts plus a new exhaust system and Lambda sensor. The cost ran into a few grand.
The standard filter flows pretty well, losing the Plenum is beneficial in shortening the inlet tract but I can't see that there will be any measurable gain to finding a 'better' air filter. All you'll succeed in doing is wedging a gread big cone filter between the pedal box and the bonnet!
With due respect..A no-expense-spared Jenvey/MBE throttle body conversion on my Dad's Megagrad yielded a 22BHP increase from 138BHP to 160BHP, and significantly more torque. The car was fitted with the above listed parts plus a new exhaust system and Lambda sensor. The cost ran into a few grand.
The standard filter flows pretty well, losing the Plenum is beneficial in shortening the inlet tract but I can't see that there will be any measurable gain to finding a 'better' air filter. All you'll succeed in doing is wedging a gread big cone filter between the pedal box and the bonnet!
You wont need a new throttle cable, nor a fuel pressure regulator, nor new fuel injectors all of these can be happily adapted to the Jenvey TBs.
But if you are going to TBs, trade up to solid cams..
Dave
DVandrews said:
Classic Grad 98 said:
You'd need a new ECU, throttle cable, cooling system parts (water rail?), fuel pressure regulator, obviously the throttle body themselves, new injectors, air filters etc... not a job to be underestimated.
A no-expense-spared Jenvey/MBE throttle body conversion on my Dad's Megagrad yielded a 22BHP increase from 138BHP to 160BHP, and significantly more torque. The car was fitted with the above listed parts plus a new exhaust system and Lambda sensor. The cost ran into a few grand.
The standard filter flows pretty well, losing the Plenum is beneficial in shortening the inlet tract but I can't see that there will be any measurable gain to finding a 'better' air filter. All you'll succeed in doing is wedging a gread big cone filter between the pedal box and the bonnet!
With due respect..A no-expense-spared Jenvey/MBE throttle body conversion on my Dad's Megagrad yielded a 22BHP increase from 138BHP to 160BHP, and significantly more torque. The car was fitted with the above listed parts plus a new exhaust system and Lambda sensor. The cost ran into a few grand.
The standard filter flows pretty well, losing the Plenum is beneficial in shortening the inlet tract but I can't see that there will be any measurable gain to finding a 'better' air filter. All you'll succeed in doing is wedging a gread big cone filter between the pedal box and the bonnet!
You wont need a new throttle cable, nor a fuel pressure regulator, nor new fuel injectors all of these can be happily adapted to the Jenvey TBs.
But if you are going to TBs, trade up to solid cams..
Dave
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