Just got my car back from the bodyshop this afternoon (had the roof painted to match the sunroof surround), while it was away a new K&N panel filter arrived which I cracked on fitted as soon as i got home with the car, has anybody seen the size of a standard filter!

 

 

 

 

Not only the size of the filter but in the bottom of the airbox there's like a baffle type insert, obviously to reduce the intake noise, but absolutely no good for air flow.

 

 

Also at the back of the airbox there's a hole which goes to nowhere, again I guess it's something to do with noise reduction but it certainly doesn't do anything to aid airflow.

 

 

 

Anyway to the main point, having removed said standard filter and associated noise reduction cr*p and fitted the K&N panel filter the car definitely is more willing throughout the rev range.

 

I know all the negative comments about these filters but I've fitted them to my road and competition cars for the last 20 years and never had a problem with them.

 

 

P.S I have nothing to do with K&N.

 

 

 

That noise reduction piece of cr*p that you refer of is a snow strainer. 

 

It is designed to prevent snow / water ingress into the air intake, and thus damage the air filter (OEM filter is paper) and associated sensors.  If the filter gets wet it will block / become more restricted as the moisture / dust mix.  If the filter is wet when it is cold, it may freeze, also restricting the air intake. 

 

In addition, moisture / restriction are not too good for the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor that controls the fuelling of the car - if the MAF is subject to moisture or soiling it will result in a reduction in engine power output, because a lower injection quantity is calculated.

 

It is interesting to see a picture of the K&N filter; I have fitted a Pipercross panel filter which appears to be a foam construction versus what I assume is a cotton constrcution on the K&N?  Obviously mine is on the diesel, but in terms of performance it is only really noticeable at the low end of the rev range whilst not on boost, where the car revs more freely and more quietly.

Hmmm. I've had both types of replacement Air Filter before and can only conclude that the Pipercross was the easier to clean, niether seemed to affect performance greatly/noticibly but, the lifetime use makes for a worthy addition in my book.

I've used all sorts of aftermarket filters in the past but really don't see the point on modern cars. Obviously they are well made but you just can't increase flow rate without reducing the filtering caperbility(when you consider the aftermarket filters are no bigger), especially when you look at the reduced surface area on that K&N vs the OEM paper one.

Also remember that you can remap a tsi to around 300bhp without changing the oem filter so it can easily flow plenty for a 220bhp standard car...

But even after all that I still fancy an aftermarket intake as I would love a bit more induction growl

I removed that baffle from mine some time ago and its been fine. Seen a couple of clips in German, on youtube, where similar was done.

What's the baffle? The plastic thing in the bottom of filter box?

What's the baffle? The plastic thing in the bottom of filter box?

Yes. Or snow strainer as it is referred to in the Skoda service manual.

Just fitted a Pipercross panel - kept the strainer. I expect it's in my mind but the car does feel a bit more responsive. Loving the car in the sunshine on dry roads - so much grip.

Took mine out on my mk2FL diesel didn't really do much so put it back again (the baffle that is).