Air box installation clips

[Don LaVance]

Hi all.
I just bought a 1988 911 and was preparing to service the air cleaner element and noticed that the rear two clips attaching the air-box cover were not clipped in place properly and the back of the box had a 1/2 inch opening.
After cleaning the K&N Filter and trying to re-assemble the cover I found that I could not reach the rear clips because of my big hands. (perhaps this is why I found them loose)
Question, How do you reach and Close the two rear clamps to hold the lid tight?
Also the lid had several 1 inch holes drilled in it apparently to increase air inlet. wouldn't this also allow more hot air into the inlet?
Should I repair or replace the cover lid for the air box or just let it alone?
Don

[Autoban]

Don, I have an '86 3.2L Carrera and you are correct, the two clips on the back of the air filter are very hard to close. I reach around the throttle body with my left arm to reach the clip on the top. For the bottom clip it works the best for me to use my left arm by standing kind of facing away from the car and squeeze my left arm in between the air filter box and the (I guess) oil tank. Pushing and shoving and ignoring the scratches on my skin I can manage to close the lower clip in the back with my finger tips.
I have seen air filter boxes with the holes drilled in. It suppose to provide easier airflow through the filter, but I don't know if it does. Mine does not have the extra holes. However, the filter housing does have to clamp the filter tight or you will get unfiltered air into the engine. I would be more concerned about driving in the rain with all the holes in the air filter box and the filter element getting wet.

Good luck getting those clips on tight.

Juergen

[88911coupe]

It's a MAJOR PITA!!! I have found that if I move the ac hoses I can just barely manage to get them closed but it's at an odd angle so it requires a LOT of finger strength to actually get it snapped shut. Sorry, no easy tricks to do this that I'm aware of...maybe someone has a better solution.

[Smoove1010]

Same here - I used my right arm, expect scratches, grunting, cursing. Skinny arms work best if you have access to one... I had to loosen the AC compressor adjustment bolts to move the compressor toward the driver's side to gain a little clearance. In addition, some repair to the ridge on the fixed portion of the airbox was needed to give the clamp something to clamp on to These old-fibrous-plastic pieces are getting old and brittle...

[JAR0023]

Run a zip tie through the latch and leave it open in a two inch loop. Gives you some extra reach and leverage. Not my idea, but one gleaned from Pelican.

Alternate is to slice off the lid leaving only the square ring that is reinforced and holds the filter in. Much easier to reach the clips.

I cut mine along the tape line in the photo. Flip the lid 180* and it's hard to tell it's been opened up without a close look.

[GH85Carrera]

My big tip. Get everything wiggled into place and the front clips clipped down. The get your arm wet with soapy water. I can cram my arm in far enough that way to pull the clip down. The top clip on the backside is easy. The bottom clip is a pain. Soapy water works for me.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Don LaVance

Hi all.
I just bought a 1988 911....
After cleaning the K&N Filter ....
Should I repair or replace the cover lid for the air box or just let it alone?
Don

Congrats on your new purchase!
You're better off with a stock Porsche filter...the K&N doesn't buy you squat and actually allows more minute particles through.
The holes are there only for "the sound effect", many do this, or do like I have and cut the whole thing off like the pic below shows.

Originally Posted by Autoban

. I would be more concerned about driving in the rain with all the holes in the air filter box and the filter element getting wet.
....

Never been an issue...Porsche actually did the same mod on later cars (Cup cars as I recall).

Originally Posted by JAR0023

^^^ this...except I'd rather see an orange (Porsche) filter

[roper0621]

I found the best way to fasten the back clips is to change the air filter when I change the oil filter, with the oil filter removed, I manage to get my right arm around past the AC compressor, its tight but it works.

[john walker's workshop]

the bottom clip is easier if you can reach up from underneath.

[CCM911]

Get rid of that airbox and buy a cone filter. It may do nothing for performance, but it sure opens up the engine compartment for easier access.

[Don LaVance]

Thanks for all the excellent tips. However once I took a really good look at the back of the box I found that the attaching raised spots that the rear hooks grab onto have broken off, Bummer. That is one reason that I could not get them to catch. So, for the time being I used a adjustable Velcro strap from front to back, at least until I can get CCM911 to tell me where to get that cone filter he mentioned in his reply.
I will eventually get this car sorted out.
Thanks again to all.
Don

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by KC911

...except I'd rather see an orange (Porsche) filter

K&N supplied by the PO. It's orange now.

J

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by Don LaVance

Thanks for all the excellent tips. However once I took a really good look at the back of the box I found that the attaching raised spots that the rear hooks grab onto have broken off, Bummer. That is one reason that I could not get them to catch. So, for the time being I used a adjustable Velcro strap from front to back, at least until I can get CCM911 to tell me where to get that cone filter he mentioned in his reply.
I will eventually get this car sorted out.
Thanks again to all.
Don

You can place a wtb ad in the classifieds here. Airboxes pop up fairly regular.

J

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

[theclaw]

Originally Posted by CCM911

Get rid of that airbox and buy a cone filter. It may do nothing for performance, but it sure opens up the engine compartment for easier access.

Should we rekindle the debate about cone filters and engine longevity (if we don't consider air flow for now). I have a higher quality cone...







..... but since reading that it allows some dust in over the filter have debated going back to the air box but cutting it open similiar to what Jar did.

[CCM911]

Come on Jeff, So much room can be had. And by the way, kudos on the clean engine.

I don't know enough to argue one way or the other.

Disclaimer - I run a cone so I can have easy access to engine components. I am not saying it makes the car faster. I am not saying it is more silent.

Here is one choice:

Pelican Parts - Product Information: PEL-INTK911

Fabspeed Airbox cover:

Pelican Parts - Product Information: FAB-911-CUP32

Oh, I checked the competitor's price for a cone setup - $229

Wayne wins this one hands down.

[CCM911]

Here is mine. I know you guys like pictures.

[theclaw]

Originally Posted by CCM911

Come on Jeff, So much room can be had. And by the way, kudos on the clean engine.

I don't know enough to argue one way or the other.

Disclaimer - I run a cone so I can have easy access to engine components. I am not saying it makes the car faster. I am not saying it is more silent.

Here is one choice:

Pelican Parts - Product Information: PEL-INTK911

Fabspeed Airbox cover:

Pelican Parts - Product Information: FAB-911-CUP32

Oh, I checked the competitor's price for a cone setup - $229

Wayne wins this one hands down.

I like Jar's idea vs all that $$ for the Fabspeed. And thanks on the cudo's. did my fan and housing over the winter.

Besides, how could I argue with a guy and a 900SS/SP. Here's mine. Not an SP but lots of hotrod built into it.

[Don LaVance]

Once again thank you all for the input.
I am going with the cone for now and will put an wanted add in the classifieds.
Don

[KFC911]

I personally wouldn't risk my motor with a filter that doesn't work as well as a Porsche filter, but that's just me....and this mod doesn't cost a cent .

Before the airbox mod:

[Don LaVance]

For KC911,
Very nice eng. area. Is the modification the top photo,assuming the bottom photo is the stock unit prior to mods, it looks like mine in the bottom photo, If so How did you make the piece that is holding in the filter itsself it appears to have a screen of some kind over the inlet side. My air box would not look like this even if I cut off the air horn side. Looks good.
Don