77TSI Custom air filter: How To

[gavs]

I remember researching on a Toyota Soarer site some years back now and someone had posted a finding from doing airflow and filtration testing on air filters, K&N weren't that great, in fact, bar the drop-in replacement filter made by AC Delco (who make many OE filters) the factory filter was the bast of them all.

So when I read on the K&N, BMC sites etc, I have a sly giggel when they say

"K&N’s replacement air filters are designed to increase horsepower and acceleration while providing excellent filtration."

Does this mean that if the factory filter is flawless in it's filtration, you are getting a substandrd filtration from K&N?

[pologti18t]

I remember researching on a Toyota Soarer site some years back now and someone had posted a finding from doing airflow and filtration testing on air filters, K&N weren't that great, in fact, bar the drop-in replacement filter made by AC Delco (who make many OE filters) the factory filter was the bast of them all.

So when I read on the K&N, BMC sites etc, I have a sly giggel when they say Does this mean that if the factory filter is flawless in it's filtration, you are getting a substandrd filtration from K&N?

It's true, K&N etc are a waste of $$$$

[broxigar1983]

It's true, K&N etc are a waste of $$$$

Might not get the extra 1000000 horsepower, but the engine does sound better

[gavs]

Yeah, but what good is sound if you are sucking in more crap and losing power due to poor filter design. i have said it before, these companies literally spend millions upon millions of dollars creating engines that work better/stronger/faster/more fuel efficient than their competitiors and their own previous engine designs, the 1.4 twincharged engine is a good example of this. While K&N is a renowned filter builder around the world, I would bet that especially in the GTI motor, VAG have spent considerable dollars in developing that specific filter to operate at it’s peak for the required service period. Even if it’s only 1 engineer and it takes him 12 months, on an average mechanical/automotive engineer’s salary, that could be $70k - $80k worth of man hours in development alone, I’m sure K&N don’t spend that.

Unlike chassis tunes are different in that there is a compromise to meet the comfort etc of the mass market and different road surfaces. Engines are meant to all run the same for every customer (except when VAG put stupid hot weather tunes on some cars and not others...).

[kam]

bump for this thread: is there an easy way to remove this hose clamp ?!



done some searching, and they appear to be very difficult to get off

unfortunatly the pliers i have are too small to grab both ends and squeeze, any recommendations ?

[nomadx38]

I just used adjustable pliers. Adjustable pliers, or Mulitgrips will do the job just fine.

[PoloDave]

you dont need to take the hose off if you are just going to replace the filter, it will flex enough. Other than that: bigger pliers

[kam]

not sure if its because my car has less than 200km's on it, but i didnt notice any difference ? Have read that people notice louder spooling & more pull, but, felt exactly the same to me to be honest...

[nomadx38]

Your performance gains will be mostly down low as the flow through filter will prevent a vacuum on the pipe causing lag but up high it may not offer much of a gain. This is because at the end of the day it is a 1.2L engine so the amount of air you are acually sucking is quite small in comparison to a 5.7v8. This also is why there is little gain in noise, so It's not quite noticeable.

The filter did give be better throttle response so I'm happy about that. A have to admit I LOVE it when the trafic lights goes yellow, put my foot down all the way, will go from 7th @1,200rpm to 4th @ 4,000rpm in the blink of the eye and take off like a bullet

[brad]

bump for this thread: is there an easy way to remove this hose clamp ?!

unfortunatly the pliers i have are too small to grab both ends and squeeze, any recommendations ?

multi grips or a small g-clamp

[PoloDave]

Your performance gains will be mostly down low

There are no gains. At low revs the airflow is so low the stock filter does not restrict in any way. At high revs the turbo pressure is regulated regardless of sucktion pressure so there is absolutely no increase in air to the engine at any time.

[nomadx38]

Turbo pressure is irrelevant in this situation it's about getting air into the engine so it can start to create boost. Having the old filter which is very restricting is bad for air flow and thus increses the lag on your turbo to spool (which goes hand in hand with throttle response)

It's the difference between trying to run an engine with your hand over the intake system or without. It will still run and rev but one has to rely on the vacuum of the intake stroke to suck the air in through the gaps instead of it been forced in by itself (and this is more in relation to naturally aspirated than forced induction)

[brad]

Turbo pressure is irrelevant in this situation it's about getting air into the engine so it can start to create boost. Having the old filter which is very restricting is bad for air flow and thus increses the lag on your turbo to spool

How do you know the OEM filter is restricting? Have you done a differential pressure test? Or are you assuming that because it's OEM it should be changed?

[nomadx38]

Well having both a k&n and obviously the stock I can instantly see the difference in thickness. The OEM has a 5mm white porous cotton cover that goes over the filter itself. You then have the filter paper filter that has gaps so small between the slots that the overall thickness would be more then 20mm. For a total of 25mm of air blocking material.

Yes I admit I'm no scientist but I would highly assume my k&n filter with a thickness of 5mm (which is oiled micro cotton) is letting in more air than a 25mm thick plain paper filter. And then you have the performance gains which I have but that could be subjective to some people.

Yes you could argue and say the extra air flow is coming from less filtration and is worse for your engine. Yeah do doubt it is, but if you are concerned about the life of your car, you wouldn't bother doing any form of performance upgrade would you including pushing the engine past 4k rpm for the life of the vehicle.

[kam]

Having the old filter which is very restricting is bad for air flow and thus increses the lag on your turbo to spool (which goes hand in hand with throttle response)

i wouldnt go so far as to say the stock filter is 'very restricting'

vw know what their doing with the stock filter, a perfect compromise between performance and filtration

stock ftw