"Airbox Mod" for 3.2L - Page 2

BigKenSteele · 03-28-2005, 11:37 AM

I thought that I read on a previous thread someone suggest that the point of the horn was to increase air velocity or something like that. Is there a possibility that messing with the box could actually decrease performance?

NoLift911 · 03-28-2005, 12:21 PM

somethings are just waaaay over analyzed...

strupgolf · 03-28-2005, 01:18 PM

I dont know if it looks cool, because you cant even see it with the back lid up. FWIW, but I can hear a slight difference.

porschenut · 03-28-2005, 01:25 PM

This is a serious question. Can someone describe the character of the sound difference? Is it just louder or is there some type of wonderful noise that you can hear now that you couldn't hear before?

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

Rather than ennnnnnhhhhhh it becomes onnnnnnnnhhhh.

Deeper & nasally??

Ian

bigrubberjeep · 03-28-2005, 01:42 PM

It's a bit deeper sounds. (lower frequecy)

I did it, I don't think I would want to go back to stock.

MIK911 · 03-28-2005, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by porschenut
This is a serious question. Can someone describe the character of the sound difference? Is it just louder or is there some type of wonderful noise that you can hear now that you couldn't hear before?

I did it, but didn't like the sound. The "Induction" sound which it's reported to produce----like a whooshing sound on WOT never materialized for me (my ears).
The only thing i noticed was a lower frequency EXHAUST note. And a more pronounced "POP" or burbling upon lifting OFF throttle from higher rpm (over 4K). This is on my Flowmaster muffler set-up on stock 3.2 with catalytic. I don't care for the lower freq exhaust note, so sold the lid w/ holes to a fellow pelicanite.

btw, my buddy's BMW M3 e36 has a "Cold Air Intake" system from Dinan, and it really makes an impressive induction roar/whooshing sound on WOT.

Mike
'86 coupe

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

The best way to get an idea of what it sounds like is to just take your filter and the box cover off and then take it for a short ride down the street. You will hear the "induction sound" (thanks Mike, I've been trying to figure out how to explain it). It won't be quite as loud with the filter on there but cutting the cover (or putting holes in it) will give it a "throatier" sound. Performance change is zero, nil, nada, none.

89911 · 03-28-2005, 04:55 PM

You might as well remove the downtube also. It can be removed reversibly is you like.

Wil Ferch · 03-29-2005, 04:26 AM

At that point...might as well cut it back...right to the reinforcing ribs shown...and end up with a Cup lid with all its access advantages....

Wil

masraum · 03-29-2005, 04:39 AM

Exactly. If the lid is drilled with that many holes why would you want/need to put the horn back on, and what would it do for you but get in the way.

Best bet is to either leave it stock or cut it all off.

KatoKato · 04-02-2005, 05:45 PM

Thanks all for the advice and discussion regarding the airbox mod.

I realize that the only things to gain here are accessibility and sound but I'm still curious as to whether there are any negatives to this change. I figure that if there aren't any negatives to cutting the airbox open why didn't Porsche just design it that way?

Sorry to keep on going like this but I'm still wondering.

jpahemi · 04-03-2005, 08:52 AM

Here's mine with the cover removed, using the remainder as a holding frame.
J.P.

sushinav · sushinav's Garage

Mine too. I also get an intake whistle when I crack the throttle. If you don't think Porsche engine noisesd are melodic, don't do it.

rzepko6194 · rzepko6194's Garage

Speaking of airbox covers, I have a good, complete airbox (front and back pieces) with five 2" holes drilled in the cover, for sale. Drop me an email if interested.

JP

1987 Carrera Targa

Wil Ferch · 04-04-2005, 05:09 AM

Why did Porsche originally do it? ( answer to a question here)....

Most likely to mask intake noise/sound.....the cars needed to meet noise emission standards too during this era. I view cutting the box as a Porsche endorsement, as their own "cup" lids are made this way...

Wil

KatoKato · 04-04-2005, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
[B]Why did Porsche originally do it? ( answer to a question here)....Most likely to mask intake noise/sound../B]

Fair enough.

Thanks Wil,

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by jpahemi
Here's mine with the cover removed, using the remainder as a holding frame.
J.P.

Mine looks like that too.

Wil Ferch · 04-05-2005, 05:00 AM

JPahemi photo clearly shows the mounting latches in plain view....easy peasy....

Wil

911-32 · 911-32's Garage

Its a little louder as well as changing the pitch. I recently had another 3.2 owner in the passenger seat on a track day and he thought I had removed the engine sound pad and all sound deadening ie., its quite a lot louder. I also find it makes no difference in sound on part throttle and really only at WOT. Even then it is only really noticeable above 5,000 rpm. When you are at WOT but still coming up to the sweet spot at say 3500rpm, it is certainly a deeper tone than std. Higher in the rev range it becomes more of a howl.

Peculiarly, it creates a slight resonance at very high revs when I have my helmet on but not when its my natural unfiltered ears. My motorbike does this too incidentally.

Still the best test is a drive without the cover in place. You could duct tape the filter in if you are concerned with dirt ingress.

Richard