pros and cons of fitting TDI air filter

[lloydy]

One of my jobs i want to get around to is removing the K&N Apollo air filter. To get it all neat and tidy and have sensible pipe runs it looks like the battery will be move to under the rear seat. I was going to fit the JX air box.. the air inlet outlet to it are a lot smaller than the MAF and snorkel though and will mean lots of joins to go up/down in size, fitting MAF in ect. So i was thinking why not fit a TDI air box? The one that leaps out is this type
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321199957980? ... 1438.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
as it lends itself to the snorkel as it actually has a pipe on the air inlet and the MAF bolts straight to it. Any thoughts? or has anyone come across a better air box?

[mazz]

Hi Lloydy, there is a possibility that that Airbox has a 80mm air inlet, as opposed to your 70mm. We have tried many air filters, and on a 2wd the golf 3 air box is great for TDis , but the JX filter is by far the quietest and for syncro's easiest to make waterproof

[lloydy]

Thanks for reply, quiet is good! When you fit the jx one, it looks like you squeeze it in beside the battery. I'm looking at copying that, does it fit in without having to move battery tray and coolant res over? One thing that puzzles me as well is i see you adapt the outlet so the MAF fits straight to it. I thought to myself that looks nice and easy just cut the 60mm spigot off... but when looking at it the threaded rod that holds the filter in would then come off? Would you mind sharing what you do there?

[ninja.turtle007]

Thanks for reply, quiet is good! When you fit the jx one, it looks like you squeeze it in beside the battery. I'm looking at copying that, does it fit in without having to move battery tray and coolant res over? One thing that puzzles me as well is i see you adapt the outlet so the MAF fits straight to it. I thought to myself that looks nice and easy just cut the 60mm spigot off... but when looking at it the threaded rod that holds the filter in would then come off? Would you mind sharing what you do there?

The threaded bar is still in place. I'm home tomorrow and need to drop your crimpers back to you at some point. You're welcome to have a nosey at how Mario did mine.

[lloydy]

sounds good i'm off work all week

[mazz]

We now have found a even better way since we did Toms, ill get a photo up when I'm back in work in morn. But we used too cut the spigot off air box, cut it down to around 20mm depth, weld it back to JX air box then weld bolt back to spigot, if that makes sense. Pretty simple job.

[mazz]

No need to move coolant bottle you just need to cut a 60mm round hole through battery box for JX inlet

[lloydy]

A photo or two would be great! Would definitely like to know how you do it now. If it involves welding I can see a recorded delivery with a airbox and some money heading your way
So you have the air inlet spigot of airbox sticking down through the battery box? I guess the air inlet pipe then loops up through bottom of D pillar?
Thanks

[mazz]

Yeah air intake loops into D pillar normally, you can fit MAF without welding airbox, it's not as pretty but you can space MAF away from filter if you want.
To be fair we have got to a point on 2wd T3's where we have the install as good as we can get, i have a few fresh ideas for our next Syncro, but I always feel the install looks a lot neater when the battery is moved into Van

[Titus A Duxass]

A popular fit on AGG/ADY installs over here is the Mazda 323 airbox.
The MAF bolts directly to it after a bit of trimming.
It sits in the LH void and connects to the original snorkel.
Connection to the motor is via a Saharan intake tube.

[lloydy]

I always feel the install looks a lot neater when the battery is moved into Van

totally agree with that, i'm umming and aring over whether to move it under the rear seat. It'll really free up that space and will mean the air inlet won't have to loop under, and the original snorkel set up in the D pillar can be used inc the elbow with drain in it. But i then loose space inside... decisions decisions..

[lloydy]

A popular fit on AGG/ADY installs over here is the Mazda 323 airbox.
The MAF bolts directly to it after a bit of trimming.
It sits in the LH void and connects to the original snorkel.
Connection to the motor is via a Saharan intake tube.

thanks, i'll take a look. Anything non vw makes me feel a bit dirty though

[mazz]

We have only just started this conversion so air box is still stock, but if you don't want to weld your air box you can shave 10mm from this face and sleeve MAF over spigot

As you know we chop the spigot off then re support centre bolt.
This is golf 3 air box in our PV.

This requires cutting out bottom of battery box, for a Syncro I don't really think it suits the vehicle, the JX one looks far more robust

[lloydy]

thanks for taking the time to post those pics, i think i will settle for the JX syncro air box. Seems the best of the bunch, not perfect though..
I may have stumbled upon a air inlet pipe that might fit onto the jx spigot. It's from a sharan and looks to be smaller than the standard 70mm at one end
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-GALAXY-M ... 0716744276" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I've asked a question to one of the sellers for the ID of the smaller end. Would be great if it fits on, could then fit the MAF to the other end, then maybe the same pipe again onto the turbo inlet pipe? would obviously have to measure up for that though..

[syncroandy]

I used an old skoda 90-degree pipe that fit the JX box at one end and TDI MAF the other.