Pod vs panel filter

[Jaxe]

Since pod filters are illegal unless enclosed, how would a good panel filter (such as K&N) compare with a pod? I can't see the panel filter allowing anywhere near as much airflow.

Also, should I just go ahead and put a pod filter in my '89 celica? It's not like I'm gonna get pulled over and inspected right?

[Jimbo2000]

Good panel filters, K&N, redline and the likes are very close to as good as a pod.

i persoanlly prefer a pod cause of the noise which some think is too ricey.

dont really know squat about celicas turbo or not buy if its not turbo it wont make a noise and wont attract the cops as much, i had a pod on my old NA car and it didnt make a noise so you should be sweet

[Jaxe]

Thanks for the advice Jimbo, I think I'll go the pod - it looks nicer under the bonnet.

[Jaxe]

Someone just told me that they dyno'd 2 civics - one with pod, one with panel and the panel came out tops. Bother cars were otherwise identical. Is this possible?

[2BNVS]

yer its possible coz if the pod didnt have a proper box fitted around it to keep out all the hot engine bay air it wouldnt be as effective.

cheers.......

www.freewebs.com/2BNVS_r33

[Jaxe]

Ahhh... so no cold air and it ain't as good. Of course!

I might just go the panel filter then...

[2BNVS]

yer cold air #1....

u can get proper boxed made for the pods unique autosports have them but obviously they would cost a bit but id say it would be better than a pannel, i got a cover round mine mainly just a temprary one i used out of heat proof aluminium jus to pass my defect, only cost me 15 bucks to do untill i get the money for a carbon air box

cheers....

www.freewebs.com/2BNVS_r33

[Jimbo2000]

so are the UAS ones legal?

i am thinking of getting one.

another workshop near there make a SERIOUS one for like 500

[2BNVS]

yer im pretty sure there legal, i think as long as u get the full box one which is somethin like 250 i think, but im sure the portion box is illegal still coz it has no top on it

cheers....

www.freewebs.com/2BNVS_r33

[WazR32GTSt]

seriously the pod is not gonna get you any more hp, so you may as well go for the panel seeing as its legal...

[Jaxe]

Thanks for the advice WazR43GTSt. I'm still keen for a pod (even if it is just for looks), but I'll check out the price of the panel.

Cheers.

[DaiOni]

honestly, how can you seriously measure a device like this on a dyno. Is a dyno fan providing anything like normal airflow. How many of you drive around with the bonnet up?

personally, I have to go for the pod because the stock box won't work with a fmic... otherwise, it would be a panel all the way - hopefully with an aftermarket induction setup (or a ghetto DIY setup at worst).

[JimX]

Originally posted by Jimbo2000

so are the UAS ones legal?

i am thinking of getting one.

another workshop near there make a SERIOUS one for like 500

I'm pretty sure they're legal, I've never seen an air box which has some sort of ADR approval stamp or sticker on it like brake lines for example.

The other workshop wouldn't be Hills Motorsports would it? Their box is made from aluminium and seals better than the UAS one. At the cost you mentioned though it's really only worthwhile if you have lots of money to burn. I got the cheaper fibreglass one from UAS for around $160 I think. It does the job well enough.

[Warpspeed]

This whole air-filter business is really quite amusing.

Normal atmospheric pressure is around 410 inches of water gauge pressure, so if your stock air filter has say 4 inches of water pressure drop at full power, you are seeing (406/410) or 99% atmospheric pressure after the air-filter.

So you fit some monstrous expensive aftermarket air filter box or pod, that is advertised as having guaranteed TWICE the airflow of the stock filter. So you fit it, and sure enough there is now only two inches of water pressure drop at full power. There is now 408/410) or 99.5% atmospheric pressure. So expect an 0.5% power gain.

A far more important consideration is air temperature. Air density works from absolute temperature (the Kelvin scale). To convert Celsius to Kelvin you add 273. So 27C equals 300K.

So for every three degrees of temperature rise, you loose one percent in air density, which equates to roughly one percent power.

So your new super air filter has about the same effect on power as lowering the intake air temperature about 1.5 degrees.

So use whatever type of air-filter you want, or is convenient, and concentrate on getting the coldest possible inlet air. There are far greater gains to be had that way.

But a lot of guys prefer a brightly coloured chrome pod right behind the radiator, because it looks nice when you open the bonnet.

On the other hand a stock air-box with partially concealed cold air pickup behind the front bumper, will probably work far better and keep the cops happy as well.

[2BNVS]

very good detailed explanation, most of it went straight over my head but yer it all makes sense, its not what u use really its how cold the air going in that counts...

cheers...

www.freewebs.com/2BNVS_r33

[Phantom]

yeh i work with aloy and cops hated me for having a pod im getting rid of it and getting two of the small k&n filters and i gona build a custom cold air imtake box for it hopefully all goes well.

[rev210]

Stick with the panel filter.

They are good enough for the 600HP Mine's factory GTR's.

I run one and it is no restriction to good times or power at all.

Don't mess about with the airfilter stuff too much the gains are tiny.

[S15200sxbroda]

ist only like 1-2kwaw difference i read

[Cubes]

I ran mine on the dyno when it was making 164rwkw with a pod and with the stock air box & stock new filter.

They both made exactly the same power.

Both were run with the bonnet open.

Since then I've modded my standard airbox. It now has a 100mm CAI using PVC piping with a 45degree bend that enters the air box where the standard small arsed cai was. I've grabbed my self some plastic and a bit of superglue & silicon to old it all to get her and make it look flush. Pop the bonnet and it looks stock. Everything is black and unless you really know something about skylines you wouldn't pick it.

It has made the bov and induction/turbo whistle heaps louder.

It should now be ok for the 450-500hp that I am chasing

[xzotik1]

I have had both,

But now I have the K&N panel filter

and I swear by it,

Panel filter filter all the way.