K&N & VW 8v's (was AIRBOX MODIFICATIONS)

[Jonathan Monetti <jmonetti@us.net>]

Guys, there is an important aspect to the little VW four bangers that
plays a part here.  I recall several tests from the old VW & Porsche
magazine days when they would try various mods to the 8v Jetta & GTI
intake and exhaust systems, and OFTEN the stock systems worked BETTER than
systems the aftermarket could muster up, at least affordably and while
retaining a cat--two criteria for the sensible (or the poor, like me). 

I'm not saying this is true for all motors, or even all VW motors, or fact
at all--simply a few quasi-scientific tests done while they were writing
articles.  But these motors were in a pretty well balanced state of tune
straight out of the factory-a very useful powerband, good economy and free
revving.   Remember, you could put on the big Audi 5k throttle body onto
these cars, and it wouldn't do a dern thang unless you ported the intake
to match it!   Mods often had to be done in sync with others to see any
gain or offset negative characteristics (lumpy idle, poor mileage, etc.).

After reading enough about how good (or at least optimal for the motor)
the factory systems were, I decided to leave the my Scirocco largely
alone, and just put on a dual tipped Ansa for sh*its and grins.
Backpressure and intake manifold pressure seems very important on these
power plants--my Scirocco was pretty sensitive to any vacuum or exahust
leakage whatsoever.   

Anyway, that's  my Copper-coated US Issue zinc-core $.02.     Don't kill
me Avi, it's Monday for God's sake!

Jon Monetti


>> Net result?  The GTI LOST 12 hp, and more torque.  That's right,
>>and it was repeated to ensure the accuracy.  2nd time, the car lost 11
hp.
>>After this was performed, a Neuspeed tuned VR6 Corrado mounted the dyno.
>
>if you were right here, I would give a "loving hug", I have been
>continuously saying that the whole K&N filter "downgrade" is just that...
a
>downgrade, not an improvement..... not just advertising
>"bull" that we are so prone in swallowing "hook line and sinker"..........
>
>Avi Meron