Air Intake

[MMT]

My 1999 996 C4 has this aftermarket air intake. Looking through all the paperwork and service history it would seem it's been on a long time.
Is it a recognised make, what's the filter likely to be and does it need changing or cleaning?

Thanks

[Tony1963]

With no hesitation, I'd consider throwing that in the bin. It looks like it only gets air from the hot engine bay to me. If I'm wrong, sorry, but I suspect you'd see more power and better filtration with the oem or decent filter and intake.

[LordHaveMurci]

Have to agree, no way I'd keep that on my 996.

Must be used 996 or even 997 airboxes out there.

[MMT]

Thanks, I suspected this might be the replies.
I have had a look on eBay and there are a few airbox's on there. However, apparently there are differences, are they major or will any fit?

[LordHaveMurci]

Tip & manual are different I believe, seen people fit 997 boxes to 996's so must all be very similar?

[MMT]

According to this there are three different part numbers for the air box.



Mines a 99 T reg manual.
This is off an X reg manual, is this going to fit?
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/282115613999

[Pope]

The cold air ram pipe is in the spoiler; when the car is moving air gets into the bay so not a major issue. More of a problem is that the filter is likely an oiled element which have a tendency to foul the air mass sensor (MAF); as a quick test for that, get the engine nice and warm then accelerate hard in 2nd-3rd gears up to the redline - generally a dodgy MAF will give a stuttering, hesitating power delivery.

Budget for one of those as well as an airbox.

ETA:
Worth doing just to compare with the replacement airbox once you fit it IMO; noting that more noise doesn't necessarily equate to going faster.....

[MMT]

Thanks for that.
I haven't noticed anything untoward driving it, and it does make a nice sound when you reach 4K and up.
I think I'll just get the one off eBay and see how it goes.

[MMT]

Thanks for the advice guys, I've ordered the one I linked off eBay.
Next question: Filter?
Is there that much difference between these, should I go to Porsche or any other recommendations?

[lordlee]

Yes the BMC is a performance panel filer and will let more air through. The BMC works well in my 987 - grat filter.

[Pugley]

Does a "performance" air filter element really have any performance gain over a clean stock air filter when fitted in a stock airbox?

[MMT]

I think that's my thoughts really. You have a few changes of the standard ones before you reach the cost of the performance ones. And I saw a post on another thread where they recommend taking the air box top off every 12 months and hoovering out anyway - the guys in the thread was full of leaves and all sorts of crap.

[LordHaveMurci]

Anybody removed the Helmholtz (sp?) resonator in the std air box? Worth doing?

[MMT]

Here's a link to another forum. I apologise and feel free to delete if this is not allowed.
http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=60295&pos...

[MMT]

My eBay airbox arrived today and i think it's a result.
MAF still in place and when I took the cover off there's a K&N filter too.

[MMT]

Fitted the airbox today and WOW, the difference is unbelievable.
It spluttered a bit for a few minutes and then settled down. Totally transformed the car.

[edc]

Did you clean and reoil that K&N or put a new paper filter in?

[LordHaveMurci]

MMT said:

Fitted the airbox today and WOW, the difference is unbelievable.
It spluttered a bit for a few minutes and then settled down. Totally transformed the car.

In what way/s?

And ditto the comment above Re: cleaning the filter.

[MMT]

The filter didn't look too bad so for today I just gave it a light brush and fitted it. However,
I ordered a K&N regen kit from Eurocarparts and I'm going to whip it off again tomorrow and clean it properly. I'm also going to clean the MAF while it's out.
Some of the improvement will no doubt be because of the stty Intake that was on before and some is possibly down to the K&N filter.
It feels so much more powerful across the board really. From low down it pulls and just accelerates so much quicker. It feels like a different car altogether. I think it wanted to kill me.
There's was at least one 2nd hand K&N filter on eBay if you don't fancy splashing out £80 on a new one. The regen kit only costs £8.03 from Eurocarparts.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-K-N-air-filter-for...

[edc]

If you are going to wash and clean it, re-oil and fit again all in the same morning then use a hairdryer to dry the filter. Also dab the surface of the filter with some kitchen roll to soak up any excess oil, or better still let it sit for a bit and dab afterwards.