My lower airbox removal project

DZFord · 13-04-2009, 11:06 PM

Today I removed the lower airbox / intake resonator. I used RJO89's instructions from HERE (Post #20 - Thanks mate!)

Here are my experiences:

First you have to jack up the car, then remove the plastic lining of the wheel arch, passenger side headlight & fog light (if fitted):

After taking out the 3 screws holding it in place, you can rip the whole thing right out (for what it actually does it's huge!)

My mate and I then routed a 3-inch flexipipe from under the wheel arch, right up to the pod filter:

The smaller pipe here is the one that you get in the K&N Kit. It comes from in front of the radiator:

Finished:

The result:
- Better fuel efficiency! It's dropped from 12.0L/100km to about 8.5L/100km (90% of my driving is done in peak hour)
- Very slight increase in power, especially lower down and at the very top end of the range.

My overall impressions:

After several months of running the K&N setup, I think it has two major downfalls - no heat-shielding & lack of proper cold air flow (especially with the single flexi-tube provided in the kit). It's only now, after running this second tube that I am happier with the performance.

I think you'd be better off following this approach HERE

DZFord · 14-04-2009, 03:31 PM

Update: In traffic this morning, the engine levelled off at 10.5L/100km, which is still a little better I guess!

More revs · 14-04-2009, 07:01 PM

I doubt this mod will affect fuel economy but if it gives a stronger top end say from 4500 up I'd do it myself. I'd be happy with 15l/100Km so long as it pulled like a 16 year old.

Mullett · 17-04-2009, 01:29 AM

Likewise, i wouldn't expect a significant change in fuel consumption from a *stock* car. Driving in peak traffic, your underbonnet temps would be through the roof, and with the K+N intake, your intake air would have been at least 50+ degrees sitting in traffic. The ECU will retard the timing, and probably richen the mixtures to prevent detonation, so there's a good chance that doing the airbox mod to replace the K+N kit HAS improved fuel economy on your car.

-RM.