Air filter back to back dyno comparision

Well..... as i had an empty workshop and some time to play with my corrado and the dyno i thought i'd see if i could do some testing to put the old which induction kit debate to bed.
If i'm honest and you were using your car as a daily driver i would go for a paper element filter every time..... that said, if your fastidious about your maintainence and you want maximum performance..... well i'll let the figures do the talking.
All tests were performed in sucession, i did 2 or 3 runs per filter set up and the numbers posted are the best result for each filter. That said my car on our dyno is always super consistent and is usually within 1-2bhp on each setup. (Less than 1% variation which aint bad really!!!)

Standard Airbox, still with snorkle inlet and a new paper filter: 277.1bhp/7026rpm 244.0lbft/4502rpm
Standard airbox, snorkle removed and box cut away above cc: 287.4bhp/6954rpm 249.7lbft/4496rpm
SWG Twin inlet lid, cut away box bottom: 293.0bhp/7015rpm 251.1lbft/4477rpm
Jabbasport Single large cone filter and heat shield: 297.4bhp/7211rpm 250.0lbft/4704rpm
SWG Twin cone kit with heat shild: 303.2bhp/7153rpm 255.5lbft/4957rpm

I did actually log the boost level during the run and there is a 1.5psi differece between first and last kit, just goes to show the charger like to have a good supply of air to draw from.

So, there you have it. No doubting cone filters can provide the performance edge but you would really need to keep on top of things keeping it really clean and well oiled. I have never liked the fact they seem to let a bit more crap through into the charger, but like i said, if well maintained you should be ok!

Another thing to bear in mind it that this is tested on a pretty extreme case. I'm running a 65mm toothed belt on the charger so the demand for air will be that much higher than on a smaller pulley. That said, a 10% gain is a 10% gain!

jmc wrote:The runs were done with the bonnet up so heat soak wouldn't be an issue here though. It really is a huge difference though, although it is pushing it higher up the rev range slightly. Would love to have seen this on an 8V G60 too.

dirtytorque wrote:News just in from a scout who shall remain nameless. lol.
He has posted up his figures on vortex in the top 20 whp thread.

wheel figures are..

249whp 222.5lbft .
Good stuff.
I want to see a plot.

jmc wrote:It really is a huge difference though, although it is pushing it higher up the rev range slightly.

kevhaywire wrote:

jmc wrote:It really is a huge difference though, although it is pushing it higher up the rev range slightly.

Aye, the extra air flow affored by the aftermarket filters affects mainly the top end, especially as it's a 16V. I'm not sure the 8v G60 will yield such impressive results, but it would be worth a try none the less!