Does removing the air filter really help?
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9 Second Club NA
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From: Houston, TX
Does removing the air filter really help? I know of a few friends that do this when they go to the track, just wondering if it really does help and if so how? Also, what kind of gains? Thanks.
I use a stock paper fram and my car picks up a solid tenth when removed.I ran the car last weekend after the new kooks and after a 13.04@108.53 with a good 1.90 60' I remembered the damn filter was still in and removed it for a 12 second run.I slightly bogged the car and got a 13.03@108.93 with a 1.96 60',you do the math.
Originally Posted by unit213
Just do some mods and save your motor the dirt intake. The tenth you save (if that) isn't worth it.
, if dirt gets in there you're REALLY going to wish you hadn't done that Trending Topics
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I messed around with this on the dyno while tunning this current setup. I tuned the car to my set air/fuel ratio, and then took the filter out. The car actually lost 5hp and the air-fuel was off by half a point. I then made a quick adjustment back to the normal air-fuel/still without the filter, and the car actually picked up 5 hp over the power with the filter. Now that was on the dyno -- so a loss unless it was re-tuned.
At the track I tried removing the filter (but no tuning change) and didn't see any gain. I actually ended up destroying my MAF on my way back to the pits on the last run
So my vote is definetly for leaving the filter in.
At the track I tried removing the filter (but no tuning change) and didn't see any gain. I actually ended up destroying my MAF on my way back to the pits on the last run
So my vote is definetly for leaving the filter in. 
Originally Posted by Classic
I messed around with this on the dyno while tunning this current setup. I tuned the car to my set air/fuel ratio, and then took the filter out. The car actually lost 5hp and the air-fuel was off by half a point. I then made a quick adjustment back to the normal air-fuel/still without the filter, and the car actually picked up 5 hp over the power with the filter. Now that was on the dyno -- so a loss unless it was re-tuned.
At the track I tried removing the filter (but no tuning change) and didn't see any gain. I actually ended up destroying my MAF on my way back to the pits on the last run So my vote is definetly for leaving the filter in.
At the track I tried removing the filter (but no tuning change) and didn't see any gain. I actually ended up destroying my MAF on my way back to the pits on the last run
So my vote is definetly for leaving the filter in. Thread Starter
9 Second Club NA
iTrader: (180)
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Houston, TX
Wow, this is a tough one! Ive got half replies saying it works and the other half saying it doesnt. Would this kind of "mod" vary on different applications and if so, why/how? Sorry if this seems like a dumb thread, but Im just trying to find ways to squeeze every bit out of the car. Thanks.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
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From: Troy, AL
I saw a very slight loss on the dyno. So small it's hard to prove. At the track I see a DEFINITE gain (I've tested this back to back to back on numerous occasions with the same result) of about a 1/4-1 MPH (depending on which car I'm in. The big engine benefited more) but it may be helped that I have a FTRA kit. I think it works very well in conjunction with removing the filter.
I pulled the filter part off of a stock airfilter leaving only the metal screen. I use this when I pull the filter just to keep the birds out.
I pulled the filter part off of a stock airfilter leaving only the metal screen. I use this when I pull the filter just to keep the birds out.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 45,841
Likes: 5
From: Earth
Originally Posted by Colonel
At the track I see a DEFINITE gain (I've tested this back to back to back on numerous occasions with the same result) of about a 1/4-1 MPH...