3.2 Carrera custom air filter ideas

[jsoderbe]

Hi,

I just wanted to ask for opinions on custom air filters? I think the stock air filter housing looks awful and I found, from searching here, that it restricts air flow with a performance chip.

I am not necessarily into K&N or similar, just wanted to ask for ideas on how to clean up the engine bay. Since I am transplanting the engine into an older car, I can get rid of a lot of the other things cluttering the engine, like the heater fan.

Please let me know if you have any ideas!


Regards,

Johan

[Onefastman]

From what I've read a filter will hurt performance. Don't over oil it either.

I believe it's because of the intake temp of the air

[Fly911]

The restriction in the Carrera intake is not so much the filter, but the "barn door" AFM sensor. The flap is restricting the flow, so is the small square opening, not bigger than 1"x2".

I was planning to install a complete 993 air intake manifold and air filter (also used on the 993 Turbo, so it should be big enough). The 993 intake will require some mods on the cylinder head fitment, it has three bolts rather than the two bolts on the 3.2L. I was planning to use a Canems ECU that plugs right into the old Motronic plug, and comes programmed for the 3.2L from the manufacturer. Plug and play. They use a MAP (Manifold Air Pressure) sensor in stead of the AFM on the 3.2L or the MAF on the 993 in addition to a wide band Lambda sensor, so no restrictions in the inlet path. The 993 intake is also much better than the 3.2L aluminum manifold.

The HP gains with a good exhaust can be significant, maybe up to 250 to 260 HP on the flywheel on an otherwise healthy engine. But the real gains come in combination with a motor rebuild with bigger cylinders and pistons and more agressive cams. Doing everything right, 350 FWHP should be within reach, but of course at a hefty price. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as cheap horsepower for a Porsche...

[jsoderbe]

Thanks guys, just to clarify, its mostly because I want it to look nice, a HP gain is nice but not necessary.

I would prefer a ordinary paper filter solution, the K&N are kind of messy....


Johan

[larrym]

Patrick MS and Getty Design both sell MAF adaptors along with various filters

[jsoderbe]

Have anyone tried this one, from our host?

Pelican Parts - Product Information: PEL-INTK911


Regards,

Johan

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by jsoderbe

Have anyone tried this one, from our host?

Pelican Parts - Product Information: PEL-INTK911


Regards,

Johan

No change in performance, sound great (if you got a cab) and look better.

Had to fab a bracket to avoid chaffing on the air manifold.

[Quicksilver]

From a discussion with a person with an engine dyno who is very well known for racing engines and has built and dynoed hundreds of them:
- "There is no power to be found in the intake on an internally stock 3.2. Porsche didn't make mistakes there. Now there is about 20 HP to be found in the exhaust system though."
and
- "We tested the Autothority hot wire MAF and found that it netted a 5 HP loss from the stock AFM."

Now this conversation was about 10 years ago but I haven't heard anything to change it. If the engine internals are changed then all bets are off. Of course displacement, cams, head work, and mods to increase the RPM limits will change the requirements of all the other systems in the engine.

----
The one place where I would expect a major improvement from switching to a hot wire MAF is at altitude. I'd really like to see some data from driving through major altitude changes. (Someone in Colorado with a MAF want to drive up Pikes Peak and collect some data?)

[strikee]

Cut the standard air box trumbone off. Opens up the area and costs nothing. There are a few threads with pictures.

Cheers
Ed.

[kidrock]

I've pondered cleaning up that particular area of my engine too, but there are dozens of threads which have excellent evidence that the Mahle paper filter is best for these engines, as opposed to the many aftermarket alternatives.

OTOH, there are several well-respected members (JJ911SC and others) who report no discernable damage or other negative affect. It really cleans up the appearance of the motor and allows more work space, which I believe are 2 big plusses.

So, pick your poison.

BTW JJ, your motor looks badass.

[darcher]

I cut the face off the stock air box and use the stock paper filter.
I think it looks good, cleans well, and makes the back clips accessable.

[Dreamer52]

Pictures please...

Thanks

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by kidrock

I've pondered cleaning up that particular area of my engine too, but there are dozens of threads which have excellent evidence that the Mahle paper filter is best for these engines, as opposed to the many aftermarket alternatives.

OTOH, there are several well-respected members (JJ911SC and others) who report no discernable damage or other negative affect. It really cleans up the appearance of the motor and allows more work space, which I believe are 2 big plusses.

So, pick your poison.

BTW JJ, your motor looks badass.

Thanks

Yes, the cone versions really clean-up the look of the bay for about $200-$300.

OTOH (took me a few seconds to figure this one out), the cleanup via Back Heat is a bit more expensive, +/- $2500 (SSI's, 2In/xOut muffler & hardware) but the look is priceless.

BTW, I had the car out yesterday morning with the top down and at 32 Fahrenheit and there was plenty of heat to keep me toasty

[clutch-monkey]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

From a discussion with a person with an engine dyno who is very well known for racing engines and has built and dynoed hundreds of them:
- "There is no power to be found in the intake on an internally stock 3.2. Porsche didn't make mistakes there. Now there is about 20 HP to be found in the exhaust system though."
and
- "We tested the Autothority hot wire MAF and found that it netted a 5 HP loss from the stock AFM."

Now this conversation was about 10 years ago but I haven't heard anything to change it. If the engine internals are changed then all bets are off. Of course displacement, cams, head work, and mods to increase the RPM limits will change the requirements of all the other systems in the engine.

----
The one place where I would expect a major improvement from switching to a hot wire MAF is at altitude. I'd really like to see some data from driving through major altitude changes. (Someone in Colorado with a MAF want to drive up Pikes Peak and collect some data?)

is it essentially the same deal with the 3.6?

[gtc]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

The one place where I would expect a major improvement from switching to a hot wire MAF is at altitude. I'd really like to see some data from driving through major altitude changes. (Someone in Colorado with a MAF want to drive up Pikes Peak and collect some data?)

This is actually the weak point of most Motronic AFM->MAF conversions, from what I've read.

[darcher]

OK... here's what I did:

[darcher]

It retains the stock paper filter which I think is better, and opens up the airflow some. The guys are right, I don't think the restriction is in the airflo side unless you've got big cams, it's in the exhaust side which is why i don't run much on my wife's car. Little dog w/ a big bark...

[cliyde]

I disagree, there are plenty examples that gains are possible with a hotwire MAF, extrude hone intake manifold, etc. Before going forced induction, my car dyno'd 248 CHP with a gekkatec MAF, stock headers, RarlyL8 1out muffler and off the shelf 91 oct SW chip. As you can see below, my AFR's weren't even optimal then, hovering right round 12 which suggest there were some ponies still left on the table.

Another example of before and after dyno test with the Gekkatec MAF - 911&Porsche World, November '09, p94-p98.

Before:229.5hp
After: 241.4hp

I do believe anything regarding airbox mods would yield minimal HP increase.

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

From a discussion with a person with an engine dyno who is very well known for racing engines and has built and dynoed hundreds of them:
- "There is no power to be found in the intake on an internally stock 3.2. Porsche didn't make mistakes there. Now there is about 20 HP to be found in the exhaust system though."
and
- "We tested the Autothority hot wire MAF and found that it netted a 5 HP loss from the stock AFM."

Now this conversation was about 10 years ago but I haven't heard anything to change it. If the engine internals are changed then all bets are off. Of course displacement, cams, head work, and mods to increase the RPM limits will change the requirements of all the other systems in the engine.

----
The one place where I would expect a major improvement from switching to a hot wire MAF is at altitude. I'd really like to see some data from driving through major altitude changes. (Someone in Colorado with a MAF want to drive up Pikes Peak and collect some data?)

[aigel]

That cone filter looks terrible. Like the inside of my shop vac!

I don't get the obsession with changing the looks of the engine compartment over stock if it doesn't serve a performance purpose. Who are you trying to impress?

A few holes with the hole saw into the lid of the air cleaner box will give you an improvement in engine sound, look stock and cost nothing!

If you want an ugly air filter box, get a CIS car.

G

[victatwin]

Changed from old to new in 25 minutes,cost $29.00 Au, not looking for HP improvements ,just a clean and practical to work on engine bay.

Before



After



The new filter is a chinese version of the KN version,local mechanic said just as good,don`t over oil it,find them on the evil bay . Easy to change spark plugs etc...
Had the car dyno after fitting this filter and recon ECU motronic on my 3.2 ,running at 12.8 fuel air right across the rev range.Very Happy .