Air Filter Housing Restriction

[Jaxonalden]

I recently bought a stock air filter assembly with a K&N filter off of EBay to to see what I could do to modify it. I immediately noticed that just prior to the MAS, the housing has a built in, very fine, screen. I can just imagine the restriction this imposes, just as bad if not worst than the snorkel. I'm going to see what the best way to remove this is, then remove the one on my car and give it a "seat of the pants" check. Any suggestions?

[Quickurt]

IS it sandwiched in between two sections that can be taken apart and reassembled without the screen?
If not, it looks like a very careful die grinder job. Don't try a hole saw, as it will grab the screen and probably tear up the whole thing.
You will have to cut through one wire at a time, far enough away from the throttle body to not damage it, then carefully grind each wire to flush with the inner bore.
Looks like a PITA, but I'd say your right about the restriction, it's hideous!
One question: is it doing something to the airflow so that the MAS works properly?

[Jaxonalden]

While watchin' the season premier of "The Office" I started messing around and found a couple of locking tabs. With a screwdriver I was able to pop the locks, squeeze my hand into the air filter hole and pull the "snorkel like" end with the screen attached!! This can be done with the filter housing on the car.

Yes Virginia, there is another free upgrade you can do to you car.







With this piece removed, the screen can be removed more easily and the velocity stack can be reinstalled.



I also took a picture of the snorkel that's removed through the left intake vent, just in case anyone was wondering what it looks like.

[Topless]

Just remember Porsche didn't put that screen in there just to piss you off. It is there to prevent your motor from injesting large chunks that often fall into the bottom of the air box when changing the filter. Toolpants has some great pictures of nasty STUFF in the air box. Big bugs, ciggy butts, chunks-o-rubber etc.

[Jaxonalden]

As long as you clean around the filter box before you pull the filter tray out, you should be fine. If "Big bugs, ciggy butts, chunks-o-rubber etc." are getting past the air filter, what the hell is the air filter even there for? Sorry, but if ******************** like that is on the filtered side someone must be running with NO filter.

I know of no other company that has a screen to catch the big chunks. I'm cutting out this screen and replacing the one in my car.

[Boxtaboy]

Wow, there sure are a lot of restrictions in the airbox. Thanks for sharing.

I'll probably keep mine in because with my luck, when I remove my air filter to replace it, some crap will fall into that area before I even get a chance to stick my vacuum down the airbox.

[Padawan]

Originally Posted by Jaxonalden

I know of no other company that has a screen to catch the big chunks. I'm cutting out this screen and replacing the one in my car.

Most of them do. In fact, every car I've worked on that had a MAF (as opposed to a MAP) had a screen like the one here.

Not only does it serve to keep out "large chunks", but it more importantly influences airflow over the sensor.

You can read more here: http://www.gmtips.com/3rd-degree/dox/tips/maf/maf-screen.htm

[ekam]

Originally Posted by Topless

Just remember Porsche didn't put that screen in there just to piss you off. It is there to prevent your motor from injesting large chunks that often fall into the bottom of the air box when changing the filter. Toolpants has some great pictures of nasty STUFF in the air box. Big bugs, ciggy butts, chunks-o-rubber etc.

Hey now. It's just this week's episode on "How I out smart Porsche engineers".

[Jaxonalden]

Boxtaboy,

I understand your concerns, but don't stop with the P car. As I said in my post, I don't know of any other car that has a screen aft of the air filter. So if you own other cars you should be just as careful not to leave any screws, paperclips or club sandwiches in your air box.

Ekam,

I'm not trying to outsmart the Porsche engineers, I'm just trying to free up the car from the federal mandates that are imposed on imports. You know the ones that limit performance in the name of the environment and keeping the neighbors happy.