Air filters...

[JimK]

I'm looking for the cheapest way to get a decent air filter that doesn't make too much noise, to attach to a HIF44. However, I need to do this pretty quickly so stuff I can go out and buy/order is better than waiting for long auctions or picking through scrappies.

People have mentioned using a Mini airbox with a better filter inside - would eBay 160261163340 be suitable?

Ta...

[Rob_Jennings]

mini airbox works well for me with a K&N element, but the intake points backwards so only draws air from the back of the engine bay. Mine is modified to draw cooler air from the front.... new section cut out at the 'front' and the pipe cut and re-glued here with the old hole having a piece of plastic glued across it.

The round mini airboxes sell for only a couple of quid at mini auto jumbles so easy to get another one if you mess it up! the older simpler design of a simple circle with the intake at one point will be easier to modify than the one you have spotted eg:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MINI-AIR-FILTER_W ... .m14.l1318

you can also use a paper filter until you find an ebay bargin for the K&N element (about 15-20 quid if you hunt around)

[JimK]

mini airbox works well for me with a K&N element, but the intake points backwards so only draws air from the back of the engine bay. Mine is modified to draw cooler air from the front.... new section cut out at the 'front' and the pipe cut and re-glued here with the old hole having a piece of plastic glued across it.

I can cut and weld plastic easily enough.

The round mini airboxes sell for only a couple of quid at mini auto jumbles so easy to get another one if you mess it up! the older simpler design of a simple circle with the intake at one point will be easier to modify than the one you have spotted eg:
<snip>

With the one I saw, from the look of it there's a joint that would make it easy to swing the pipe forwards. Bolted to the carb on a Minor, would that inlet come out of the housing pointing to the nearside?

There's also an elbow that connects the filter to the carb, yes? Haven't found one of those yet - anybody who lists them is out of stock. That would be a problem for this setup.

you can also use a paper filter until you find an ebay bargain for the K&N element (about 15-20 quid if you hunt around)

That would make things cheaper in the short term, certainly.

[bmcecosse]

Mini filter is only sized for an HIF 38 - and is felt to be 'power sapping' even there. Mini lads claim great power gains changing it for a K&N! I think Wanderinstar on here uses a Princess filter. You must have a big engine in that car JimK if it warrants an HIF 44 ?

[JimK]

You must have a big engine in that car JimK if it warrants an HIF 44 ?

I wouldn't say it's a big engine (Ital A+) but it left the factory with a HIF44 so that's what I'm using.

[Rob_Jennings]

Some of the mini crowd I've spoken to say that if you use the round box you can improve airflow by drilling a series of holes around it (often find them like this in auto jumble piles). Modified like this With a K&N filter inside its not said to be any less efficient than a cone filter and defiantly quieter (unless it whistles ;-) )

Given I'm on a standard exhaust its all academic for me, but I'm not giving up the pleasant fart noise in favour of power, it just would not be a minor without that ;-)

[JimK]

Some of the mini crowd I've spoken to say that if you use the round box you can improve airflow by drilling a series of holes around it (often find them like this in auto jumble piles). Modified like this With a K&N filter inside its not said to be any less efficient than a cone filter and defiantly quieter (unless it whistles ;-) )

Sounds reasonable - allow air in to all sides of the filter rather than through one inlet pipe.

Given I'm on a standard exhaust its all academic for me

mutter mutter peashooters mutter mutter...

but I'm not giving up the pleasant fart noise in favour of power, it just would not be a minor without that ;-)

I believe we may have debated this issue at some length

[bmcecosse]

Yes - the hole drilling is supposed to work to some extent -I tried it on a Minor filter casing and it was still useless. I agree - if the Ital engine came with that carb - then use it! What about the filter that was on the Ital - do you not have it ?

[Rob_Jennings]

<opens a whole new can of old worms... >

well at least you are still a-series ;-)

[millerman]

How about using this K & N http://www.performance-filters.co.uk/ts ... e=images/k

Has anyone used this bolt on filter, if so what were the results like?

I am considering doing this , in my opinion it will tidy up the engine bay if using a 1275 A series with very little work.

See my picture, using the bolt-on filter should give a more 'professional' appearance <br><br>

[Peetee]

I think the main restriction on a mini filter set up is the elbow between carb and filter.
If you can work plastic Jim, have a look at what i've done on Albert to fit a standard 1098 filter and can onto a HIF44. it involves a piece of plastic soffit (which I can provide) a hole cutter and 2 hours work.

[Stig]

Just to chuck something else into the mix, I've got an MG metro filter box which you're welcome to. The snag is that I don't have the elbow to connect it to the carb.

I'm sure Vizard didn't say anything about the filter-to-carb elbow being a restriction, I seem to remember it being the air-to-filter pipe on the Metro, though the MG had a larger pipe and hence flowed better.

[JimK]

BMC - no, I don't have the Ital airbox. I didn't get a standard carb, either - the engine came with a Metro turbo.

Peetee - I'm not sure I want a 1098 airbox. A guess you find it OK (and Albert doesn't seem particularly slow) but I can't help thinking that something bigger would be better, especially as you have a decent exhaust system.

My ideal setup is a big box filter like an ITG Megaflow or Pipercross 300, with a longish ram pipe inside to feed the air nicely into the carb. Unfortunately I've just described about £75-worth...

Stig - you have a PM incoming...

[Peetee]

There is good surface area of filter inside the 1098 and the air box inlet pipe has been removed and a 45mm hole cut in it's place. the mainfold, throttle cable mounting plate carb and airbox adapter plate have been matched to ease flow. Once the air has passed the filter it's a straight path to the manifold.

[Kevin]

I'm sure Vizard didn't say anything about the filter-to-carb elbow being a restriction,

Yes he says its ok on the Hif44 but not so good on the Hif38.

What about the filter that was on the Ital - do you not have it ?

If I remember they hit on the bonnet support strut.

I use a K & N pancake type filter on an HS4 which seems reasonably quiet but I haven't compared it directly with a cone filter.
Here is a working link to the K & N filters available but the pictures only show the twin type as used on Spridgets.
http://www.performance-filters.co.uk/ts ... s&x=28&y=4

The main reason I am sticking with an 1 1/2" is that unless its in a high state of tune and high revs are often used the 1 3/4" has very little gain according to David Vizard.

[bmcecosse]

Indeed - HIF 38 will be fine and likely to give better mpg too.
I tried and tried to make standard air filter casing work - car just would not run properly, even with no element fitted and additional holes in the case. Now fitted a K&N replica - and it's fine.