Performance Filters - Not always the best option
I thought I would post up this little piece of info, as I thought some of you would be interested.
As you know I also now have the Leon K1 and the 1st little modification was to be the obligatory K&N Panel Filter. Primarily due to a pending Revo session where they recommend a performance panel filter (although one of their own).
I wasn't sure whether to go for an ITG/VWR, Green or K&N. I was keen on the Green as I know they flow well from experiences in the Subaru world.
However, a new K&N popped up so I grabbed that knowing that you can't go far wrong with a K&N.....or so I thought.
The filter was fitted last week, and it's not such and easy job. On the 2.0TFSi EA113 engine it is located inside the engine cover. So it requires disconnection from the air intake, disconnection from the turbo intake, removal of MAF connection and complete removal from the car (engine cover is held tight on rubber mounts). You then have to break open the engine cover with about 10 captivated self-tappers.
So K&N fitted, sticker applied and I thought all would be good.
Over this last week, when it has had the opportunity for a quick squirt it just didn't seem to have quite the same pull.
A quick diagnosis with the Torque Pro App lead me to get the Laptop out and log with VCDS.
Although this was reporting that actual boost was tracking specified boost (as close as any other logs I have seen from other owners), the MAF Airflow G/S seemed low, as I had seen people report this should be 190 (ish). I was only seeing it pegging at 170G/S.
So is this K&N over oiled ????
I have since replace the OE paper filter and re-logged.
The car now feel back to where it was and the MAF is reading anywhere between 187-191G/S.
So the supposed 'Performance' Filter actually flows less than the OE paper filter.
If you use the G/S - BHP Conversion rule of G/S divided by 0.8, this actually equates to a loss of 26BHP (more than a 10% drop). Hence what I could feel (I assume)
170/0.8 = 212BHP
191/0.8 = 238BHP
Car is specified as 240PS which is 236BHP, so it looks to be performing as expected.
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