Powerflow Intake- pos?

[jay71]

I bought a Powerflow Intake from performance recently and I've noticed that the diameter of the opening of the airbox is too small so it's not getting a good seal on the air flow meter. (see photo) It's going to take some sanding or work with the dremel to enlarge the opening on the powerflow box to make it fit correctly. Before I tear into this p.o.s. and make it unreturnable I was wondering if anyone out there that has one can tell me if it really does make a difference (20 claimed HP) in the performance of the car? If not I'm going to make one of those lawnmower-looking air filters like Rarlyl8's and get my $400 back!

[RarlyL8]

Why do you think I made that air cleaner?
ImagineAuto is forever pissed at me for publicly ditzing that $400 piece of sh.., I mean plastic. K&N lays claim to the biggest automotive marketing hoax of all time in my book.

[voitureltd]

I hope this does not stir up a hornets nest, however when on a dyno with a Powerflow on my 930, the race shop ( C.S.Motorsports ) suggested putting the stock one back on which had a K&N filter. In the next dyno run he was able to tune for a few more HP. This car has SC cams,was ported to 36 mm intake,38MM exhaust w enlarged billett injector blocks,euro fuel delivery components, K29 Turbo, Andial fuel enrichment, B&B headers and Straght thru Muffler exiting on passenger side, Tial waste gate, Garretson intercooler. boost at 8.5 bar with electromotive HP 30 management maxium advance at 29degrees. Maybe it was just his tuning process but he did say with using the stock 930 air intake system on a street car it was hard to get a better result.

[rsrmike]

Flip your stock airbox over and look at the little cone made into the inside. I'm not sure what it does but I bet it's there for a reason. It may do more than we think.

It's easy to compare the two airboxes in question and convince yourself the powerflow would have to be better.

Unfortunately I'd have to agree with my old boss who once said the only performance advantage you gain from this part is the weight reduction in your wallet.

Of course you can always hear your bypass valve queef better with the powerflow...

I'd recommend you try to send it back, personally Good luck

[RarlyL8]

Of course you can always hear your bypass valve queef better with the powerflow...

HAAAA! I haven't heard that term in years, thanks for the laugh.

On a serious note, the Powerflow is a nice looking unit that helps clean up the engine bay. I just wish they wouldn't try to sell it as a performance part. A fancy air filter is about the last place I'd go looking for power on a turbocharged engine.

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by RarlyL8

HAAAA! I haven't heard that term in years, thanks for the laugh.

No doubt...that golden oldy had me rolling! I need to add that one to my list of words that must be used when dealing with the executive level management at work.

I'll try to post pictures of what intake I'm running on my car these days...let's just say I've gone back to stock with a simple twist.

[equality72521]

I've always wondered why a company like Porsche who is obsessed with light weight would put such a beast of an intake on these cars unless they served a definite purpose. There HAS to be a reason for the design.

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by sand_man

No doubt...that golden oldy had me rolling! I need to add that one to my list of words that must be used when dealing with the executive level management at work.

I'll try to post pictures of what intake I'm running on my car these days...let's just say I've gone back to stock with a simple twist.

Pics as promised. Removing parts is one thing, but I hate cutting up OEM factory parts, so instead of drilling holes or busting out the cutting wheel, I noticed that the filter cover is actually hinged. So I just tapped out the hinge pin and removed it. I then used the cover clasp to hold one end of the filter and a large binder clip to hold the other side...it stays very tight. I removed the small air cleaner (ala RarlyL8 style) that I was running, because it made the engine compartment look a little too unfinished. In addition, many folks asked me what sized Holley 4-barrel I was running whenever they saw my exposed engine! LOL! Granted my access isn't as good, but that's okay, I like this.

[les_garten]

Originally Posted by sand_man

Pics as promised. Removing parts is one thing, but I hate cutting up OEM factory parts, so instead of drilling holes or busting out the cutting wheel, I noticed that the filter cover is actually hinged. So I just tapped out the hinge pin and removed it. I then used the cover clasp to hold one end of the filter and a large binder clip to hold the other side...it stays very tight. I removed the small air cleaner (ala RarlyL8 style) that I was running, because it made the engine compartment look a little too unfinished. In addition, many folks asked me what sized Holley 4-barrel I was running whenever they saw my exposed engine! LOL! Granted my access isn't as good, but that's okay, I like this.

And the Bartender said, BRILLIANT!

[RarlyL8]

This is a picture of my engine just after the rebuild, before it was installed. The funky filter cover was cut out leaving just the frame to hold the filter in place. It helped a little with access to other things.

[mb911]

I encourage all of my customers to shy away from K&N filters if possible. they simply do not filter properly.. Be very careful.. I have seen many engine fail because of dirt coming through airfilters and allot in light avaition all using K&N

[NathanUK]

Ben, do you think there is any possibility that my stock AFM could be damaged by using a K&N element in my 3.2 carrera?

TIA

[mb911]

Originally Posted by NathanUK

Ben, do you think there is any possibility that my stock AFM could be damaged by using a K&N element in my 3.2 carrera?

TIA

I am sure. I have no choice on my set up for filters but for stock 930 guys there is no way I would use anything but a paper element if I could

[jay71]

Thanks for the responses guys- guess I'll be sending the powerflow back to Performance.

[RarlyL8]

It takes one drop of oil to fry a hot wire detector. I would not use any oil soaked filters on an EFI engine.
As Ben stated the ability of those filters to restrict fine particles is in question as well. Extra flow does not come free, with more air flow per square inch comes more dirt.

[Craig 930 RS]

20 HP?

I've got your 20hp right here:

[mb911]

Originally Posted by Craig 930 RS

20 HP?

I've got your 20hp right here:

That is awesome LOL! just like adding a chip and a muffler and a K&N will net you 50-60 HP on a NA car good luck with that.

[A930Rocket]

The Venturi effect in addition to the turbo? OMG that's incredible idea!

Originally Posted by Craig 930 RS

20 HP?

I've got your 20hp right here:

[DonE]

I've been running a KN filter on mine for the last seven years. I've had the engine apart three times and have not seen any damage due to dirt being sucked in past the filter (including the turbo compressor blades). On the other hand, I maintain my filter at each oil change. I also have an EFI motor with a wire air intake sensor and don't think twice about oil getting on it - it would have to travel through the turbo and intercooler first which is highly unlikely.

I have also seen "performance shops" fab EFI intakes that place a KN filter in the rear fender well (behind the tire!), subject to road dirt and rain water. Although I have not had a problem with a KN filter, I would never subject it to that kind of treatment.

The high HP general aviation aircraft I work on don't use filters, however they are still approved for grass strips. If we think we will be at a lot of grass strips (air show work), we will install a KN type filter - and this is on a two-stage supercharged $125,000 motor.

PS : I think the powerflow is crap too. Take the saved money and put it in your suspension.

[RarlyL8]

Good point about the turbo burning up the oil Don. I was thinking in general N/A terms of the 996/7 cars here in town that have had to replace their $400 MAF units due to oiled aftermarket filters. Porsche will not warrant their use and knows of the problem.
Actually for no more miles than many 930s put on and for the frequency of rebuilds some folks see, they might just as well run no filter at all! Ha!