Initial tubing into airbox

1975 Views 16 Replies 7 Participants Last post by trench, Sep 23, 2002

Masoud K.

Discussion Starter · Sep 4, 2002

A couple days ago, I was cleaning out my air box and dusting the filter when I noticed that the inital tube that connect from the outside into the air box can be disconnected via a small metal lever. Can both sides be disconnected? IF so, I may be able to devise a custom intake pipe to connect into the airbox and at least get a pretty decent increase in airflow to the box. The current pipe is very restrictive, as you have probably seen.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Matt230K

· #2 · Sep 4, 2002

C230K Intake

I've been thinking about trying to put a new intake tube with a K&N cone filter on the end. I figured this might fit right in the space where the current airbox is. Is there anyone who has tried this? I know you would probably have to have it custom made, but it would probably work well and add some power.

Anyone have any advice on this?

Lynn

· #3 · Sep 5, 2002

Intakes

A poster on other forums spent several hundred dollars trying to do this. First he built a custom carbon fiber air box. It produced no gains or losses on a dyno. Then he tried a modified Pipercross intake. Measured gain was 2 hp. But, wait. A dyno can't measure that accurately. There are too many variables to have any confidence in a number that small. The standard error of the measurement may be larger than the measurement itself.

Unless you have a good grasp of fluid dynamics and the proper research facilities, you are wasting your time and money. Besides, many people believe the stock intake delivers more air than the stock engine can use. Your time and money would be better spent trying to get someone to build you a set of headers. That seems to be a bigger restriction in the engine than the intake.

Matt230K

· #4 · Sep 6, 2002

Intake

Actually I'm not so much concerned about increasing the performance. I already have the Kleemann pulley on it. But I like the sound of the supercharger whine and would like to make it louder. I know the airbox and all the piping is silencing the intake sound of the engine. So even if it doesn't add performance, I wonder what is the best intake to use to increase the sound?

Lynn

· #5 · Sep 7, 2002

Intake

In that case, I think I would modify a Pipercross.

Buellwinkle

· #6 · Sep 7, 2002

Re: Intakes

Besides, many people believe the stock intake delivers more air than the stock engine can use.

Those people are fools that never dynoed there cars. I've consistenly have gotten about a 6hp gain with no air filter at all. The ITG is a start and although I didn't directly dyno the two filters I extrapolate that I got about 2HP. What would likely work is a K&N cone mounted with a 3" plastic pipe about 10" long that drops down 3" so it sits right in front of the existing opening with a heat shield. I found this on K&N's site.

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Matt230K

· #7 · Sep 9, 2002

K&N intake

Buell, I noticed on K&N's website that the C230 is one of the cars they are looking for someone to donate for several days so they can design an intake for it. I noticed you are from Southern California, which is where they are I think. I don't know if you or anyone else ever considered doing this. It said they need your car for several days and then you get a free intake when they develop it.

It would be great if someone were willing to do this. If anyone does it, please post and tell us, but otherwise I may just try to make something myself.

I think I am going to take a look at it this weekend and see how much of the current intake piping I can take off. I'm not sure exactly where it goes after the airbox, there are some other plastic covers on the left side of the engine. I may just measure the current pipe that the airbox connects to and get a cone filter to stick on the end of it. I know it would be ideal to put a pipe on it and extend it to meet the inlet from the front of the car, but I think it will be able to find enough air wherever it is at. It will probably suck in as much as it can get.

If anyone else has tried this or any other intake and has any feedback, please let me know.

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Buellwinkle

· #8 · Sep 10, 2002

I sent them an e-mail and got no response. Oh well.

I found this other filter from Acc...

I sent them an e-mail and got no response. Oh well.

I found this other filter from Accel that looks interesting. Looks like you can remove the airbox, mount the right end onto the intake where the current airbox attaches and route the other end down to the opening in the grill that the current airbox uses. I think their website is www.koolblue.com.

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eason_c

· #9 · Sep 12, 2002

That is what I did, same concept as the picture above. However, the result is not that goo...

That is what I did, same concept as the picture above. However, the result is not that good. First I think the cone filter is too small(I exchanged for a larger K&N filter Part# RU-1480 today), second, it is sucking all the HOT air in the engine bay. Even with the air hose attached, I don't think it helped that much. I will try again with the larger cone filte and 4" foil air hose (the 3" white air hose can't withstand the heat) attach to the cone filter. I hope it would help a bit.

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eMLi

· #10 · Sep 12, 2002

you do realize those ripples in the hose are creating turbulence...

you do realize those ripples in the hose are creating turbulence and probably reducing the airflow to your intake....

eason_c

· #11 · Sep 12, 2002

The purpose of the hose it to direct cooler and freah out from outside, those air will go ...

The purpose of the hose it to direct cooler and freah out from outside, those air will go thru the air filter then to the supercharge; therefore, I don't think turbulence is that much of a problem in force induction engine. Anyway, here is my new set-up with K&N cone filter #RU-1480. With a larger cone filter and larger 4" foil hose, the driving feel is much better then before. After a few test drive, I touch the cone filter with my hand and it feels cool compare to the stock air box. I did a several G-Tech run and here are the result.
Stock air box:
0-60mph: 7.5s, 7.58s, 7.54s
Horsepower test according to the G-Tech: appox 195hp

K&N filter with air hose:
0-60mph: 7.13, 7.28s, 7.22s
1/4mile: 15.7sec @91.8mph
Horsepower test according to the G-Tech: appox 198.9hp

The test were done on the same road and each test was about 5 min apart.

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eason_c

· #12 · Sep 12, 2002

Here is another look at the new setup....

Here is another look at the new setup.

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Buellwinkle

· #13 · Sep 13, 2002

Sounds like great progress. Here's my thoughts. Put an extension, maybe 8-10" long between...

Sounds like great progress. Here's my thoughts. Put an extension, maybe 8-10" long between the cone filter and inlet so that it's directly in front of the grill opening. This way you don't need the dryer hose and it will have a cleaner look. That would be a first step. Then a shield on the back of the filter to direct cool air coming from the front to all around the filter. What do you think? I'm guessing you can use 3" plastic pipe from a the hardware store. The shield can be a larger plastic pipe that's been split and spread open. Beauty of plastic is that you can cut and shape it easy and glue together quickly. Great for prototyping.

You efforts are well appreciated...

BTW: I sent various emails to K&N because they were looking for a donor vehicle to make a FIPK kit and they never called me or wrote back.

eason_c

· #14 · Sep 13, 2002

I did think of a pipe extension, but after a water test(spray water with garden hose), I...

I did think of a pipe extension, but after a water test(spray water with garden hose), I switch back to the air hose. As the car is moving in a great speed, the rain is coming directly to the grill at the same speed. Water can go thru the air inlet and land on the cone filter directly, also, we the cold air go thru the air inlet, it will go into every direction in the engine bay; as a result, the cone filter can't benefit from it. With the hose setup, I can direct the cold air to the cone filter, plus I can decrease the chance of having water into the filter. I know it looks not clean, but it's just a first step prototype. Please give me more feedback to improve the system.

Buellwinkle

· #15 · Sep 13, 2002

OK then, how about keeping the filter where you have it but use a filter with a open end c...

OK then, how about keeping the filter where you have it but use a filter with a open end cap like these K&N's and run the pipe from the opening to it.

http://www.knfilter.com/universal/X-stream.htm

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eason_c

· #16 · Sep 13, 2002

The opening for the air intake is 2 3/4" ovel; therefore, with a flange that is 2 3/4" wil...

The opening for the air intake is 2 3/4" ovel; therefore, with a flange that is 2 3/4" will fit find without any modify. However, if you look the the K&N website, there aren't a lot of filter have have are 2 3/4" flange in diameter. With the K&N X-stream filter you mentioned, I did look into it before I pick the one I use now. There is only one that has a 2 3/4" flange in the X-stream line up and the cone filter length is only 108mm (10.8cm), and that's a very small filter. With the one I am using now, the filter length is 178mm(17.8cm). Also, the space in there is very narrow, the base diameter of the filter can't be wider than 4.5", otherwise, it won't fit. As you can see in the pictures, the air filter is almost touching the engine, and the base diameter of that filter is only 4". I am lucky to know someone that works in a local performance shop; therefore, I can try all different kinds of filter before I buy. If you think up of some good idea, please share and we might be able to decide a home made cold air intake.[

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trench

· #17 · Sep 23, 2002

Re: Intakes

Your time and money would be better spent trying to get someone to build you a set of headers. That seems to be a bigger restriction in the engine than the intake.

Hey Lynn

Supersprint already makes headers for the C-coupe. Check out their webpage:

http://www.supersprint.com

It's part number 843901.

Cheers, BT

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