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WOW! Fitting a HKS Super Power Flow Air Filter

Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 9:01 pm
by akumi
I have just bought and fitted a brand new HKS Super Power Flow for A$120. Man it makes so much difference. Did anyone notice that when the mivec kicks in, the engine roars like a monster??? and also makes a lot of sucking sound. Well it makes a lot of difference in the MEAN department but performance wise i can hardly feel it. And i just read an article at Autospeed saying that putting aftermarket airfilters doesn't increase horsepower, is this claim true!!!???http://www.autospeed.com.au/cms/A_2232/article.html

Let's discuss this.

Regards,
Akumi

Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 10:23 pm
by ruchi
Upgrading to a better air filter will increase the capacity of air available to the engine, but if the engine does not require more air than what the standard air filter is allowing through, then there would be no benefit.

Upgrading to a pod filter, such as what you have done, can actually lead to a decrease in performance as unless you have a CAI and some sort of enclosure, the engine will be breathing in warmer air which has a lower density. Less density = less air available to the engine. This is especially so once you've been driving for a while and a fair bit of heat has built up inside the engine bay. It may sound great, but you may be losing power.

Aside from getting a CAI and enclosure here's some other things you should consider:
1) Reset your ECU to allow it to recognise and adjust to the new airflow
2) If you're getting a strong sucking sound it would probably pay to go for a larger filter
3) Turbulence caused by a smaller air filter and restrictive piping can decrease the usability of the air
4) An air filter which has a better air flow may offer worse filtration, allowing more dirt through and causing more damage to the engine

Just remember a car is a "system" and all the various components that make up this system need to work together in a complimentary manner. They also need to be tuned to give you the performance you desire. Upgrading one component will have little effect if you have not upgraded other complimentary components and tuned all these to work together to give you the result you want. :wink:

I'll stop there to allow others to contribute too :D

Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 11:10 pm
by akumi
Nicely put Ruchi, so how do i reset the ecu? i suppose i'll search the post for the answers huh? thanks for the tip anyway :)

Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 11:34 pm
by Jono
just disconnect your batter for about 20 30 mins..

and then reconnect it... should run pretty "rich" for the first few mins, but will program itself as you drive..

also remember to take note of kilometerage "milelage" before disconnecting, as it will reset the kilometerage....


jono

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 12:52 am
by ruchi
also make sure you've got your radio code and alarm code (if it has one) handy too :wink:

To clarify Jono's post, it will reset the kms on your trip meter not your odometer.

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 12:58 am
by fto617
hey guys i've been wondering abt this for a while
WILL THE UAS CAI be able to use the HKS superflow instead of the unifilter?

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 11:47 am
by smorison
fto617 wrote:hey guys i've been wondering abt this for a while
WILL THE UAS CAI be able to use the HKS superflow instead of the unifilter?
yeah assuming you have a bracket that already goes into the stock piping it should be fine

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 1:14 pm
by rxboy
ruchi wrote:1) Reset your ECU to allow it to recognise and adjust to the new airflow
Wouldn't the ECU adjust slowly anyways after a hundred km or so?

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 2:11 pm
by ruchi
In theory yes, but in the mean time it may cause some confusion to the ECU which can cause various problems (idle, fuel economy, responsiveness etc.). Likewise if the change is subtle the ECU may not make any alterations and may continue as if the old equipment is in place.

By resetting the ECU you clear the FTO of all it's memory and it retunes itself based on the current setup. You also don't have to wait 100kms for it to happen.

If resetting the ECU, I'd disconnect the battery for at least 30min, I'm not sure if it will reset within 20min, it may still hold a static charge (it might, but I don't know).

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 9:29 pm
by RT
Is there a place in Sydney where you can buy this Air Filter?

Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:01 pm
by Cohn
Hey Akumi... 2 things.

1. I also have a HKS Pod and i also couldn't believe how awesome the engine sounded!!!!!!!!!! I cannot imagine a better sound(and i don't have an exhaust system on mine)

2. That yellow FTO? i used to see that exact one parked next to me every day in Sydney Uni... But i see you are in Melb??? Did you buy the car from someone in Sydney, or did you move there or what?

Cohn

Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:13 pm
by bozhu001
so akumi

do you have a heat shield around that pod filter??
and where can i buy a HKS pod filter?
do you need any adaptors or is the the filter fit over the induction tube easily

Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:43 pm
by ruchi
As an FYI, most airfilter heatshields are useless as they only help to deflect heat radiated from hot items such as the engine, which really isn't that much of an issue. The real issue is the ambient heat that builds up under the bonnet. A heat shield will not effect this and the car will still be sucking in warm air. My personal opinion is that they are a waste of money.

You're much better off buying or creating some sort of enclosure around the air intake and then feeding cold air in from outside, this will make a MUCH bigger difference.

If the cold air intake is sucking air in, then the enclosure needs to be sealed, but if cold air is being forced in then the enclosure should be slightly open or vented so that the pressure inside doesn't get to great.

Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:31 am
by akumi
Hi Cohn, great to hear that u have the same result as me, yeah i think the owner is in sydney now, could be the same car, does it use to have a dragon sticker on the passenger door?

As for Bozhuu, i dn't have a heat shield, might make one myself next time, and the HKS filter i bought was supposed to be for a gtr but apparent it fits perfectly to the existing piping, i'm not sure where to get new ones but for seconds, try the forum here or www.skylinesaustralia.com forum.

Cheers

Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:53 pm
by Cohn
haha yeah that's the one...

Does the car still have the flares on the rear bumper?

I remember seeing that and thinking it was f*cking rare...

Anyway, sexy car man!

Enjoy

Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 4:39 pm
by akumi
Hi Cohn,
You mean the flares as in the 2 pieces of plastic on both sides of the rear bumper right? yes i noticed it's very rare so far i ahven't seen any fto in australia having that. I wonder where they got it, definitely better than the veilside rear bumper that comes in one whole piece.

Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 4:47 pm
by akumi
Here's a pic of the back, is this what u're talking about Cohn?
Image

Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:04 pm
by Slither
those r top mix rear aprons, u can get them from funky's, one of the cars that went on the malacoota cruise had these, it was silver though

Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 1:36 am
by akumi
hahahaha it's called APRON? car accesories had soo many different names hahaha, sorry first time i've heard apron for cars hahaha. well yeah it does look like one.

Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 1:38 pm
by Stas
do you have any other pics of your car ?