V40 T4 induction....

Ive been toying with the idea of fitting a k&n induction kit to my W reg 2000 V40,

& was wondering if anyone had any exsperiences, good or bad about the kit

http://www.kandn.com/instructions/57-0259.pdf

Or should i just stick with the standard replacement panel. Induction kit is only about 20 notes more than the panel.

Also are there any others i should be considering

cheers

[big h]

i think you will find that the "open cone" filters are not as good as, a performance filter that use's your exsisting airbox. I'm sure someone with a T4 will enlighten you furhter.

Others to consider, BMC, ITG

[pyaap]

There are two distinct camps of thought on this topic. I personally have used a cone filters in both my current T4 and preceding ones without detriment. On the current car, I've also done some tests to monitor intake air temps (IATs) while driving with a cone filter on the road and found them to be about the same, if not slightly lower, than the stock airbox.

In stop-go-traffic, there's no doubt, the cone filter will get hot, very hot. However, once moving, it cools back down quite quickly; as a matter of fact, I've tried 2 cone filters, one is the K&N you're considering and the second a Blitz stainless steel one. Both cooled down noticeably faster (both to touch and with measured IATs) than the stock airbox, which seems to aborb heat and retains it for a longer period.

As for power gains, I did get a small gain measured on a rolling road. K&N also staunchly stand by their product and if you're not happy for any reason, call their R&D department and speak to a gentleman by the name of Bill. When I last spoke to him sometime back, he offered to have the car tested on their in-house dyno (which is also used by some F1 teams for development work) to prove that the cone filter does work. One thing I also did notice with both cone filters is that fuel consumption improved a little.

However, when I had my car remapped, I replaced the stock airbox and paper filter to see how it went and the car still produced over 300bhp with it, so its more than adequate. I've been reliably informed that it will even sustain power of around 350bhp with no problem. The one thing which I think has been a sticking point with many is that some claim that aftermarket filters don't filter as well as the stock paper ones. Again there are lots of contradicting reports out there so its hard to make a definitive conclusion.

Sorry if this does not really answer your question in full but that is pretty much my experience of cone filters (which has been quite positive) and I'm sure that there are others who have tried them who can post their experiences as well.

thats kinda swung me towards a cone again, did you mackle up any heat sheilding for your set ups?

I notice there is none in the kit.

cheers all,& keep your opinions comming

[smartbomb]

Hi. I have a W reg S40 T4, and about 4 months ago, fitted an "uprated" panel filter. It made no difference whatsoever. I then fitted a K&N cone filter (without any heat shielding, as mentioned) and it made no difference whatsoever (with the questionable exception of slightly more induction noise). I have since forked out the extortionate sum of £250 for a Pipercross kit with carbon-fibre heat shield, and have gained 3bhp. Is any of it worth it? Not in my opinion.

Paul

I have read all the posts i could find with T4 & induction in them, & it seems generaly that the airbox on the v40 is pretty dam good as it is.

i'm now swaying towards just getting the panel & removing the foam lining.......

well, today anyhow.,

ta

[pyaap]

Alfonz,

If you can make it to this Sunday's performance section meet, I'll bring along my K&N cone which is sitting in the garage. We can fit it (takes about 10-15mins) and you can test it out during the course of the afternoon and that should help you make your mind up. The only thing you won't have if the cold air feed but it should give you a fairly clear idea of what the cone sounds like and how the car feels.

I'm with Smartbomb on this, if the cone is going to cost you and arm and a leg, don't bother, its just not worth it. As I've previously learned, the only thing I've gotten out of all my tests is that the OEM paper filter is just as capable of sustaining high power outputs as all the aftermarket stuff. The only exception is you need to renew it every once in a while (is it 2 years?). However, the same applies to cleaning aftermarket filters (depending on driving conditions of course) and in a lot of cases, owners just fork out for a new one. However, I do think that the filtration properties of the paper filters are superior to others like the K&N, foam filters etc.

thanks pyaap,

jeez' i just cant decide, its only 20 quid more than there panel, but you say that there filtration properties are worse than paper?

I though K&n prided themselves on it being better wilst increasing airflow?

(thinking out loud......I wonder if the filter size is the same as my 480, ive got a kn panel in there)

& i'm kinda being (scuse the pun) sucked in by the superficial noise aspect }(

Ill see if i can make it on sunday, ..... i wish were single ;-)

[Rooster]

Replied in 40 section carn't be arsed writing it again

ta