Loch Stewart V1 intake question + K&N vs. Unifilter?

[SuperMazdaKart]

Anyone know if this hole is meant to be there? bought it like that & can't think up a reason why it'd exist since wouldn't it suck in a small amount of engine bay heated air.. Think I might patch it up.

It also came with a Unifilter too, still got oil on it & isn't much dirty at all. But I bought a K&N quite a while ago so I dunno what I should use. I'm leaning more to the Unifilter but since it's not a large world known brand it hasn't been filtration comparo tested to the other well known brands?

Havn't dríven with this installed yet using either filter, don't spose any of the Adelaide guys got a 3 inch holesaw I could borrow?

Those things cost like $40... bit high for a once off use.

[Casey]

Probably a drain hole for any water or condensation that gets in.

The problem with making things waterproof is that you can't, and then any water that does get in can't get out.

[kitkat]

yeah mine has that hole aswell... as casey said, its just a drain hole.

[SuperMazdaKart]

ahah, makes sense. spose i'll leave it then

[adamjp]

I had one of those and chose the Unifilter.

I get to drive in some dusty areas and I believe that the Unifilter does a substantially better job than the dry cotton K&N. This is based on direct experience a few years back with a V8 Crummydore that had both filters.

I will allow that the K&N may flow slightly higher (or it may not), but I prefer to KNOW that dust is not getting into my engine. There is an interesting, if a little inflammatory, write up on K&N filters here.

The hole is to drain water and you can either keep it and get a tiny amount of hot engine bay air in, or block it and get an undefined amount of water in. I know what will kill an engine.

[Uncle Arthur]

I had one of those and chose the Unifilter.

I get to drive in some dusty areas and I believe that the Unifilter does a substantially better job than the dry cotton K&N.

A K&N Filter isn't supposed to be dry- you're supposed to oil them with the oil that comes with the filter service kit you can buy from stupidcheap and other similar retailers.

4 years with K&N and no complaints here

[adamjp]

Uncle,

I hear what you say and it makes mucho sense.

However I distinctly remember the package for the K&N in the Crummydore stating that the panel was designed to work as supplied and that oiling it was a bad thing. This was one of those pink cotton 'fluffy' panel filters that were (and probably still are) very popular with the V8 Crummydore. Have they changed their approach in the last 10 years?

According to the K&N site, the pink colour is their oil and the filters come oiled. In my expereince on the same car, the Unifilter bid a better job on fine dust. Others may get different results, I will only speak to what I have observed.

[SuperMazdaKart]

yeh already knew about reversed way filter placement. the unifilter currently in the intake has only been used that way

no issues with rivets but the rubber coupler i've got is rather tight, it'll fit the afm adaptor & outlet tube but still rather tight. trying to loosen it up by leaving it stretched out by a tuna can. think i'll soak it in some boiling water a few times too.

almost all set to install, just need to win that adjustable holesaw set on ebay

[Uncle Arthur]

what ever you do make sure the filter is clean because the loch stewart cai makes you put the air filter in the other way around, therfore if you put a used one in it will suck all the dirt that was in the filter into the engine.

Actually not so - my K&N dropped straight in to my Loch Box exactly as required - the filter has a lip that means it seals when it sits in the box. I'll take a photo sometime and post it.

And yes - the pink is the oil. About every 6 months or so I take out the filter, spray it with the cleaner from the K&N kit, flip it over and LIGHTLY hose it from the back to dislodge dirt etc, let it dry in the sun (do not use compressed air), and reoil it (from the inlet side).

Reinstall and away we go.

[SuperMazdaKart]

hrmm, having some installation problems..


the A/C line is in the way, i can take off that bracket thats holding it & push it up & still get the inlet tube in between the line & the outer ridge that sticks outward from the wall (a tightish fit), but isn't that bad for the A/C?

like wouldn't it put more stress on the A/C lines joints & connections etc over time & maybe crack or break oneday?

looks like the outlet is too long is this one & will have to be cut down to allow the afm to fit at the correct angle, cause this is the intake for a 1.8s MAF & not the 1.6 AFM..

[SuperMazdaKart]

bump

[Uncle Arthur]

Have a look at my cardomain site - there'spics of my Loch Stewart install on there- yes - you do have to bend the a/c pipe, but it is not a problem.

Have a look and PM me if you need advice,or more detailed pics.

[SuperMazdaKart]

ah thanx.

good to know, so you think it'd matter much if i just let it sit on top of the inlet tube touching or should i really bend it a little so it clears without touching?

[Astroboysoup]

I don't think its a problem if its touching.. wrap it in foil to insulate that bit if you're worried...

I was going to cut the whole there myslef on the weekened but the water bottle didn't mount right.. so I'm looking for a metal thing to mount it on first.

[Uncle Arthur]

ah thanx.

good to know, so you think it'd matter much if i just let it sit on top of the inlet tube touching or should i really bend it a little so it clears without touching?

It just sits on top on mine, and I put some tape backed foam between it and the intake to stop it rubbing - have had no problems in over 5 years.