Interesting.......veeeerrrry interesting

[S4TAN]

Hello - Now, as some of you may, or may not know (or even give a <beep>), I am a devout tinkerer when it comes to my car (N75 tweaking, N249-delete, mutilated air-boxes etc) and enjoy experimenting to try and squeeze juuuust that little bit more power/driveability out of the car, especially with regard to doing stuff that costs fack all - and, as my mechanical skills are limited to say the least, i really like doing stuff that's free AND easy......so, with that in mind:

Check this out:

http://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/199693.phtml

This appeals to me, and may do to some other members (s4woody springs to mind immediately!)

I'm WFH tomorrow so will be doing this as soon as i've had my morning dose of strong coffee and nicotene....

Also: take time to read some of the posts in the thread - there's some real bitchy bastards over on that site - well funny!......

P.S. And before anyone chimes in about protecting the MAF from crap: READ all the posts in the thread!!!

P.P.S I totally expect a debate on this, and totally expect to get slagged off/told it's crap/stupid/dangerous/worse than genocide/planet destroying/etc blah blah..

[h8cak]

Looks good! If your happy to be the test dummy I would like to know if it makes a difference?

[Nige_RS4]

Make sure you log the airflow before and after (not sure you can log the pressure drop???) and post the results.

[s4woody]

well what do ya know..i removed that metal mesh yesterday when i dismantled my airbox and ducting to apply the reflective heat tape..
my airbox now feels much colder even at full operating temp and if it makes a diff im sure the new logs im gonna do will show me..
i was also gonna remove the plastic mesh but left that in place..

[S4TAN]

Make sure you log the airflow before and after (not sure you can log the pressure drop???) and post the results.

No can do - no vagcom - arse-dyno only i'm afraid, so will have to be purely subjective results

[S4TAN]

i was also gonna remove the plastic mesh but left that in place..

......close call.....

[Dr-Al]

well what do ya know..i removed that metal mesh yesterday when i dismantled my airbox and ducting to apply the reflective heat tape..
my airbox now feels much colder even at full operating temp and if it makes a diff im sure the new logs im gonna do will show me..
i was also gonna remove the plastic mesh but left that in place..

The plastic screen it there to ensure laminar flow across the sensor. Removing it runs the risk of getting turbulence at the sensor. This would be bad because it would result in incorrect output.

PS - sorry if this was mentioned in the AW links - I couldn't be bothered to read them all!

[S4TAN]

sorry if this was mentioned in the AW links - I couldn't be bothered to read them all!

Yep - mentioned- hence "close call".... only the wire mesh gets the chop

[Dr-Al]

sorry if this was mentioned in the AW links - I couldn't be bothered to read them all!

Yep - mentioned- hence "close call".... only the wire mesh gets the chop

Read you're 'close call' post after I posted mine... Doh!

[MCB]

Interesting................Post Nice one

Agee good idea to leave the flow straightener, interested to see logs from this one if poss

[S4TAN]

Kinda makes sense to remove it out though - that mesh sits right behind the flow straightener - so maybe it disrupts the laminar flow characteristics that the straightener has just imposed(?) - anyway; that mesh is quite large and any particles it could catch should NOT be getting through your air-filter in the first place!!

Suffice it to say: mine's coming out...

[MCB]

so maybe it disrupts the laminar flow characteristics that the straightener has just imposed(?)

Could be surprised it's there

[S4TAN]

my airbox now feels much colder even at full operating temp

Woody - have you stuck your probe in your box yet and done any tests on IAT with your hole blocked/unblocked? (snigger)

[S4TAN]

Just did some further research on this - makes for some interesting reading.
A little excerpt from an Autospeed article about the reasons for removing the mesh......

"Closely woven mesh causes a major flow restriction. This is not just because of the blockage factor of the wire itself, but because of turbulence which is generated as the air squeezes through the small openings."

And another excerpt from the results of the tests they did.......

"Well, there sure was an improvement...."

"1. The greatest flow restriction of the intake system was occurring between the exit of the airbox and the turbo.
2. The airflow meter was causing the majority of this restriction.
3. Removing the airflow meter screen made a major improvement."

Apparently it's all about pressure ratios and reducing the pressure drop at the turbos (and eliminating "negative boost") - anyway, i've taken my mesh out........

[CliveH]

anyway, i've taken my mesh out........

and the result...?