Apexi filter fitted!

[Carzzzer]

Fitted the Apexi filter yesterday... the sound is incredible :shock:
Just tap the throttle and it goes woooooosh pssscchhhh. You can definitely hear the blow-off valve - trust me, there is no need for fitting one that dumps in free air! :lol:

Funny thing though, at the first road test I felt it didn't overboost as much as it used to with the stock airfilter box (enourmous filter inside, btw).
This morning the boost readings seemed normal... peaking at 1.3 - 1.4 bar, but will test thoroughly the next couple of days, maybe even try swapping filters back.

As goes for fitting, it was pretty easy.
1) Disconnect mass air sensor from the stock airfilter box
2a) Open and remove the top part of the stock airfilter box
2b) Leave the bottom part of the stock airfilter box in place (this is where the unfiltered air is drawn in, so don't worry about leaving it open)
3) Connect the new Apexi air filter to the mass air sensor

Step 3 was a bit of a puzzle, since the Apexi filter has a 76 mm flange and the mass air sensor is approx 70 mm. I had to use 2 overlapping silicone tubes...

EDIT: Here is a picture.
I have discovered that the cold air tube running from the grille seems to give an unfortunate resonate sound (difficult to explain, but during low turbo RPM, the spool sounds like the filter is lying in the glove compartment!).
I will try to move the filter more upwards so that it doesn't lay right on top of the stock filter box and the cold air tube...

http://fjelkstrup.dk/dp/files/apexi_installed.jpg

[barney]

nice one

I fitted a cheapo foam induction filter in mine straight away. You can now hear the recirc too. Still might upgrade it to a Bailey Recirc (not dump valve) to make it a bit better still.

Has a nice grunt to it now too. Enhances the sound of the exhaust imho too.

Get pics up mate :lol:

[static]

Sorry to say but it might be that you're losing power with the filter. If you're getting lower boost readings try fitting back to std. and measure again. I fitted one on my previous turbo car and the car got slower, turbo sounded louder though :) On cold days you can clearly hear the std. diverter valve with std. filter no need for performance filter IMO. :)

[Carzzzer]

Sorry to say but it might be that you're losing power with the filter. If you're getting lower boost readings try fitting back to std. and measure again. I fitted one on my previous turbo car and the car got slower, turbo sounded louder though :) On cold days you can clearly hear the std. diverter valve with std. filter no need for performance filter IMO. :)

Sorry, I submitted the post before I was done writing :)
Please read again.

[static]

Sorry to say but it might be that you're losing power with the filter. If you're getting lower boost readings try fitting back to std. and measure again. I fitted one on my previous turbo car and the car got slower, turbo sounded louder though :) On cold days you can clearly hear the std. diverter valve with std. filter no need for performance filter IMO. :)

Sorry, I submitted the post before I was done writing :)
Please read again.

As long as you're not going slower it should be OK :) Might be it takes some time for the ECU to adjust..

[Carzzzer]

As long as you're not going slower it should be OK :) Might be it takes some time for the ECU to adjust..

What car did you experience the problem on? Could it be that the air filter was too small?

[barney]

I have only had one problem like this. That was due to not getting a good cold air feed and it was sucking in warm air from engine area.

Definately not slower, probably about the same but with more grunt on the Meriva. Not sure how it is affecting fuel consumption yet. Might put the standard one back in when I have used this tank up and compare.

[static]

The previous car had stock airbox from higher performance model with performance panel filter. It got more air alright but the car just couldn't use it because of the stock ECU was too emission sensitive. Finally it was the EGR that made performance worse as removing EGR restored performance but at this point I just rather put the intake back to stock and be happy with the performance as there wasn't really much of a difference even with the EGR removed.

Actually haven't really bothered messing with the meriva as the intake seems pretty good in stock form. I've noticed that biggest performance gain comes from good quality 98 RON fuel. 200+bhp 300+nm from bog std. car!

[Carzzzer]

@static: Do you have dyno graphs that shows this?

[static]

Check the other thread with the dyno results. I haven't got a dyno for 98 RON yet, it's on my to do list though.

[david5429]

the induction kit looks cool fitted one to mine love the sound it makes also wraped a heat sheild round it :)

[barney]

I fitted my standard airbox back in to see if increase in MPG....... no difference. So with that in mind, new forced air induction to follow :lol:

[MadJon]

I had one similar to this and found that the car actuaklly lost power.

too much air and fuel was going in and wasn;t combusting right. i put the standard box back in and its so much quicker now.

i would recommend a good panel filter. i'm going to get one from courtenay.

[static]

Modern intakes are quite complex by design, if you throw all the work away engineer have put into it you may well lose power. Take a closer look at the intake, sometimes the things inexperienced tuning enthusiast see as restrictions are usually there for a reason, to remove pulses etc..

[Carzzzer]

@MadJon: On a NA or turbo engine?

Intake air temparature is less significant on a turbo engine compared to a NA engine. The air is heated (anyway) when sucked in and compressed by the turbo, thus giving the charge air intercooler greater importance.

[MadJon]

It was on my astra vxr. sounded ace fro a few says then after a week i started to notice it.

[Kyriakos Twintop]

Anything new so far?Did you have any malfunctions(like "check-engine")?

[Carzzzer]

None what so ever... just a nice "groaaaaaar pssssssssttt" and smile on my face :)

[Kyriakos Twintop]

Have you noticed any diferences with and without the heat shield?
I have bought a Simota mushroom type filter with 70mm neck,and i'm gonna put it on tommorow maybe...

[MadJon]

i had a simota one huge thing it was. lost power not sure if it was from the heat or too muh air getting in but i put the std one back on and the car performed better.

one thing i did like was the fact that you could really heat the turbo wind up and was rather loud.

[Kyriakos Twintop]

i had a simota one huge thing it was. lost power not sure if it was from the heat or too muh air getting in but i put the std one back on and the car performed better.

one thing i did like was the fact that you could really heat the turbo wind up and was rather loud.You had it in a n/a or in a supercharged car?

[MadJon]

Astra VXR

[Kyriakos Twintop]

None what so ever... just a nice "groaaaaaar pssssssssttt" and smile on my face :)Ι'm very sorry to inform you that there's something you don't know...
I also fitted myself a filter like yours,the sound is just like you described BUT...
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/ACCENTWIZARD/183.jpg
The result is that the ECU enters in safe mode,and the boost pressure is hardly reaching 1 bar...
In case you don't have a boost gauge,i would advise you to check it out....
I'm about to re-install the stock filter box....

[MadJon]

I knew something was not right :-)

Do we now if this happens with the K&N apollo or pipercross Viper kits?

[Kyriakos Twintop]

I will wait for a few days,just in case that the ECU will "get used" to the mushroom,and will be adapted to it....

[Carzzzer]

I have no problems with mine and it never entered safe mode.

I had boost gauge installed when swapping the filters and still have... normal boost 0.9 bar and overboost 1.3 bar.

I remember that when I installed the Apexi, it acted a bit funny on the first trip, but soon after there was no difference compared to stock air box... I even have a feeling that it revs a bit harder now.

Maybe you should keep it on for a couple of days... and wait and see what happens?

[Kyriakos Twintop]

That is what i'm going to do...
We'll keep in touch...

[barney]

No problems with mine either (Raid HP forced induction) and tbh it peaked at 19psi boost and made it more responsive. I have just taken it off and put standard back on............. BORING!

You CAN tell the DIFFERENCE. It doesnt pick up as quick imho. :shock:

[Kyriakos Twintop]

In case that the car has allready a reprogrammed ECU(before the installation of the air filter),will the filter cause any troubles???

[Carzzzer]

In case that the car has allready a reprogrammed ECU(before the installation of the air filter),will the filter cause any troubles???

In theory it is always most optimal go get it chipped with the actual running configuration... but in practice I don't think the air filter alone can cause any problems.

Some chiptuners have discounts on a re-mapping - is that an option for you?

[Kyriakos Twintop]

Νo it's not,i'm not thinking of remaping the ECU(whatever the cost),I just have a friend with a re-programmed(apr.230 bhp,2.5 inch exhaust etc.) Αstra Twintop who asked me so...