Blowtus

Just wondering if anyones ever tried this... cutting holes in the airbox is common enough with bikes, I figure this'd be a nice and easy way to get some more air flow, even if it is warmed... don't really want to get rid of the paper element for a filter of unknown filtering ability, nor do I want to spend the money

dr0x

Ive seen it done a few times. No dyno proven results tho.

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

I dont think that the holes in the cover will allow any more air then a paper filter can flow.

Jarrett

Icemark

The problem with just cutting open the top is the same problem as cone filters have when they are installed with out a cold air box... heat from the engine degrads any performance gain.

The option that works pretty good (and what we used to do in the old days 15 years ago) was to drill the box for better flow:



You'll notice drilling the box like this that the air flow is radically improved, and the air distribution across/through the filter is much more even.

Icemark

The other thing to remember is that the stock filter is just under 90 sq inches.

Going to a cone/ round filter, you would have to use a filter of at least 6 inchs in diameter, and 5 inchs tall just to get the same filtering size. Any smaller than that and you are getting less clean air through than the stock box.

And the even worse a foam mushroom filter you would need to have a filter 15 inches round and 2 inches tall just to get in the same flow ball park as the stock filter area.

Blowtus

looks like just what I'm after Mark, cheers... will give that a go.

ra ra rotory

i cut one on my n/a before i got a cone and box and it actually helped alot... like noticably. but i would recomend a headlight cover or something that flows cold air and maybe a drop in k&n

sonic7

iTrader: (1)

ebay sells Mass airflow senser filter adapters for really cheap... I have one and love it. the filtration seems fine.... and it makes the intake sound better with increased throttle response.

Justin

2ndgenAUS

can you guys please post pics of cold air box"s cause my filter is pretty usless at the moment cause all the heat is getting to it, thanks just need ideas

Icemark

His problem was that he is in AUS and I am sure not readily available to ebay sellers (I know I generally don't ship there because of the cost).

And that again unless you are using a big enough cone filter you are actually restricting the air flow more than the stock box (90 sq inches min.). Sure it sounds better, but any improvement in HP is purely in your head because of that additional intake sucking sound.

Terrh

iTrader: (7)

I think doing some work to the stock airbox would help too.. sanding off all them little squares, and drilling holes opposite the intake (just like icemark showed there) might give a bit of flow gain... I might go at mine here in a week or two, if I'm bored.

Does the K&N really help out, or what? Because they're pretty damn expensive! $12 for a stock filter vs. 120 for a K&N... they better last the life of the car for 10x the price!

neofreak

uh, the k&n drop in replacement is like $50, not $120.

Terrh

iTrader: (7)

$120 CDN at canadian tire...

Icemark

well if you are keeping the stock air box, yes sanding down the bottom part insides (below the air filter) would also help. I don't think it would do much on the top however. Ideally you would want a bunch of turbulance in the section above the filter, so that air would be drawn from all surfaces of the filter. That is the biggest problem with the stock layout of the airbox, it tends to force the air only to go towards the right side of the filter. With drilling the tube, you still get the flow, but now the distribution is much more even. the holes on the side, simply help get more air in from behing the head light and fender gap, instead of around the engine.

And as far as panel filters I prefer the RamAir brand over the K&N. The RamAir filters are a oiled combo of both foam and fiber re-enforment and only about $15-$20 for the panel. The fiber re-enforcement helps solve the problem that the HKS mushroom foam filters have of falling apart/disolving when dirty (from the suction).

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

What about sanding off all those little ribs on the intake would that do any good?

attomica

I know what you mean. Check out this thread.

Awesome Air Box!

ra ra rotory

"What about sanding off all those little ribs on the intake would that do any good?"

nothing worth the trouble... its actually kinda hard wierd plasic.

I just cut out the big mazda logo.... that big rectangle thing and it worked fine.. but i like the idea of the holes alot... its looks alot less crappy

T210thAnniv

well i vut the whole thing off

http://12.243.159.121/photos/!My%20Pictures!/friends%20cars/Sandor/10th%20AE/05-22-02%20open%20intake%20mod/DSC00018.JPG

If i link dosent work then copy and paste it or go to my website and youll find it under "do it yourself mods"

http://www.geocities.com/t210thanniv...?1035962794267

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

I just did this mod partialy at least. the picture is to show what I did and what I am wondering. The four X's represent what I cut open and I did notice that the car was a bit more responsive. Now my question is if I were to remove the little tunnel shown in the square would that maximize the air flow? or would it be bad for the flow of it. i mean that I would like to remove the whole thing not make holes in it.

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

anyone???

Icemark

I suppose it would work that way as well, but my concern would be that it might not flow across the whole filter then. See the intake into the AFM is right below that section, so retaining some still forces the air to be faily distributed across the filter element.

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

I don't konw why I am trying this stuff since I am switching to a cold air box cone intake soon. I guess I just wanted to use my dremmel

Blowtus

well I've done the mod pretty much same as the picture... seem to have picked up a bit of throttle response, but haven't noticed anything major up top. Maybe a little, maybe not... my seat of the pants dyno isn't calibrated that well anyway, all gets kinda loud and fast with the foot to the floor
sounds a little different, though any major change is muffled by my exhaust leak...