Simple way to increase intake in air filter?

**autohead** · 20th Jan 2011, 08:41

Hi Guys,

I know this is a very crude way. But I was just wondering if it is possible to increase the intake in the air filter by making more holes on the cover alongside the existing one? That way we could decrease the resistance and increase the surface area for easier flow. Could you please point me in the right direction, if this is feasible or not recommended?

**autohead** · 24th Jan 2011, 12:25

So I take it that it is a silly idea

**tadukuttan** · 24th Jan 2011, 12:45

autohead, might not be a silly idea.

But to understand what you are saying, could you please let us know what car you are planning to do this on? And some quick pictures of the cover on which you were proposing to make extra holes as well.

**autohead** · 24th Jan 2011, 13:01

Originally Posted by tadukuttan

autohead , might not be a silly idea.

But to understand what you are saying, could you please let us know what car you are planning to do this on? And some quick pictures of the cover on which you were proposing to make extra holes as well.

I have an m800 that I am willing to experiment on. I was talking about the black air filter enclosure that looks like a disc with 1 foot diameter and has a small opening near the edge and one large one on the center of the other side for connection to the intake manifold. I don't have a picture now, I will post it once I reach home.

What I feel is, for vehicles with this kind of round shaped filter, the intake hole is small and may offers much resistance. So making more holes along side the original might improve the intake.

**Dinesh Sachdev** · 24th Jan 2011, 13:06

yeah, might do , might not, but will reduce life of filter and will allow water if in case the vehicle if partially submerged which happens in case of chennai rains..but if you've got a vehicle to experiment..sure try it ,you might hit the goldspot..

**autohead** · 24th Jan 2011, 13:14

Originally Posted by Dinesh Sachdev

yeah, might do , might not, but will reduce life of filter and will allow water if in case the vehicle if partially submerged which happens in case of chennai rains..but if you've got a vehicle to experiment..sure try it ,you might hit the goldspot..

Yeah, let me try. Having k&n filters also have the same disadvantage wrt being exposed to water. and anyways I get the filter replaced at each 5k anyways even if it is good. so life of the filter should not matter much too.

**Dinesh Sachdev** · 24th Jan 2011, 13:00

Originally Posted by autohead

Hi Guys,

I know this is a very crude way. But I was just wondering if it is possible to increase the intake in the air filter by making more holes on the cover alongside the existing one? That way we could decrease the resistance and increase the surface area for easier flow. Could you please point me in the right direction, if this is feasible or not recommended?

not recommended as will allow dust through the filter and get inside burn chamber.. although a better way I think would be to use a 220V leaf blower couple it with an inverter thingy, and fix it to the air intake.. serious static pressure..but I don't know what profit we will gain with this method..I fail to understand the concept of pushing in air inside an engine..

**autohead** · 24th Jan 2011, 13:10

Originally Posted by Dinesh Sachdev

not recommended as will allow dust through the filter and get inside burn chamber.. although a better way I think would be to use a 220V leaf blower couple it with an inverter thingy, and fix it to the air intake.. serious static pressure..but I don't know what profit we will gain with this method..I fail to understand the concept of pushing in air inside an engine..

We are not modifying any other aspects of the fir filter right. Only increase surface area of the filter that is already being exposed to outside air. The filter will still be fixed snugly and continue to work as usual. Only thing we are eliminating is air struggling to get in from a narrow passage.

**ArrowheadFilters** · 29th Mar 2012, 21:44

Originally Posted by autohead

What I feel is, for vehicles with this kind of round shaped filter, the intake hole is small and may offers much resistance. So making more holes along side the original might improve the intake.

Originally Posted by autohead

Only thing we are eliminating is air struggling to get in from a narrow passage.

Here lies the flaw in your theory, the thing is that one hole is sufficient for the engine capacity i.e. 800CCs. Increasing the no of holes, surface area exposed to air will effect adversely.

When the engine is running its sucking in air at every stroke, which creates a vacuum, a pressure drop which makes the air out side the filter move inside thru the filter paper into that low pressure area, and hence be fed to the engine continuing the cycle. The "one" inlet hole helps to maintain that ratio of vacuum or pressure drop.

making more holes will work adversely as the pressure outside will become slightly lower than before, and the balance of the high pressure and low pressure comes in jeopardy. The vacuum created in the engine is the same but now the out side pressure is lower due to the increased surface area. hence less amount of air is sucked in.

About Turbos. These bolt on kits are quite expensive, last I heard some one putting one on a Civic, costed him around 1.5 to 2. lacs. But dont take my word for it since I have no experience with after market addon turbos. There maybe people out there making cost effective turbo kits.

EDIT: My apologies, replied without noticing Page 2.

**autohead** · 23rd Apr 2012, 22:15

Originally Posted by ArrowheadFilters

making more holes will work adversely as the pressure outside will become slightly lower than before, and the balance of the high pressure and low pressure comes in jeopardy. The vacuum created in the engine is the same but now the out side pressure is lower due to the increased surface area. hence less amount of air is sucked in.

Thanks for the explanation ArrowheadFilters. Here are some more guesses, do correct me if I am wrong - So basically the small hole is required to maintain the pressure difference since the filter prevents a easy flow of air. High performance filters on the other hand allows air to flow through more easily and hence they do not have to rely on pressure differences. Hence they are not covered so tight like the OEMs. Am I correct?

Also I have some questions:

1. Let us know what your experience tells about the gains of aftermarket vs the oem filter.
2. What difference would I find considering the relatively small engine if I am plonk in a after market one too?
3. I am planning to get rid of the blow-by gunk in the manifold but as the 800 PCV system does not have a baffle to separate the oil and gas what do you suggest?