Breathing....

[Grimsqueaker]

not had much chance to see if there is a difference, have been using the wifes multipla all weekend cos its better for the kids (slightly higher up so they can see more and keep quiet )

I'm not expecting any 'whoaaa' moments, and any improvements may only be evident in the longer term, esp in terms of mpg...

[lemsworld]

Won't do anything to mine just yet then, will wait to see what's suggested, any thoughts on the route you may take yet?

[corkgsxr]

always wondered with ram air, during heavy rain what stops the filter becoming soaked and wet air or water getting into the injection system

[Chris]

always wondered with ram air, during heavy rain what stops the filter becoming soaked and wet air or water getting into the injection system

The answer is not very much; this is a painful example of what happens if your intake sucks up water

[Image: golf4.jpg]
(image form http://www.r32oc.com)

[fildigger]

This sucking up water issue, although very relevant and obviously could happen if you were crossing a ford or get caught out in a tsunami but to be frank, it is so unlikely to happen .

I brought up the subject of fitting a Ramair enclosed cold air induction filter, with a cold air intake feed routed lower down in the engine bay, so as not to drag in warm air.......I didn't mean have it at tarmac level and acting like a Vax machine!....Somewhere around the lower airdam or away from engine bay heat is fine and you could have it facing to the rear of the vehicle if it suits. We are not talking F1 style tuning with airscoops at ground effects level.

Interesting thread all the same

[andy-womble]

this is a painful example of what happens if your intake sucks up water

That is what you call well and truly Pist'n'Broke

[Coco]

I drilled out all the "honeycomb" holes where the air feed is in the grille - this made a noticable difference. My local garage cut out the cat for me and welded in a piece of pipe for £50 - another worthwhile mod. Disconnecting or removing entirely the EGR system also helps a lot and helps with economy too (though you may, like me, get issues with the MIL).

I would like a less convoluted intake feed but don't want a low level intake due to the amount of puddles on the roads I drive.

Next is to install an intercooler, then look at boost level from the turbo and increase fuelling to match.

Not an overnight job, but hopefully by the end of the summer all or some of these will be in place. Not looking for a roadburner, but if I can get to around 120BHP I will be happy enough.

[Grimsqueaker]

slight change of approach after Coco's post gave me a bit of a lightbulb moment...

In theory, as long as we can maintain +ve air pressure on the intake side of the air filter, the engine will not need to pull so hard to get air in...

so, taking Coco's idea of drilling holes in the grille, I removed grille from car and investigate the possibilities...

The grille itself is a two piece item, a body coloured main shell, with a black infill piece clipped to it... 5 minutes on the kitchen mat and I had removed the infill piece, leaving the body coloured grille with nothing obstructing airflow to the original intake area... (totally reversable should you want to sell the car later... )

I have also refixed the original intake pipe, the idea being to take gradual steps in terms of complexity

[lemsworld]

(totally reversable should you want to sell the car later... )

sell? Why would you do that? lol

2 questions...

1. How does it look, Any pics?
2. Any noticeable difference to the engine?

Saves drilling/mistakes

[Grimsqueaker]

1. dunno, its dark
2. dunno, not taken it out yet.....

not much help am I

No drilling is required, just unclip the filler from the grill, 5 minute job...