Air tight seal with K&N filter and Comptech Icebox
#3
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How loud is it? Much louder than the foam filter? I had my K&N in and it was loud as hell so I'm guessing it's because I had a poor seal. What happens in any of it peels off?
#4
I believe most with K&N Filter and Comptech Icebox setup said it was louder than the Uni foam filter setup. And for sure K&N was louder than Uni filter until I made this seal inside the Icebox. Probably improper seal was sucking unfiltered air causing louder intake sound.
After sealing it properly, K&N is actually quieter than Uni foam filter. Almost quiet as stock intake. But I have a feeling that response became little slower too. Dont know if the ecu is adjusting to greater air flow. Gonna drive around some more tomorrow and finalize my thought.
After sealing it properly, K&N is actually quieter than Uni foam filter. Almost quiet as stock intake. But I have a feeling that response became little slower too. Dont know if the ecu is adjusting to greater air flow. Gonna drive around some more tomorrow and finalize my thought.
#6
Team Owner
Hey, that IS pretty slick. I might give it a shot. I put the stock lid back on with the K&N filter and its much quieter than when I had the Iceobx lid on it. I think it was definitely because it didn't seal properly with the Icebox lid.
If you were taking in unfiltered air because of improper seal then yes, it would have been louder, but you would also have been sucking in warmer engine compartment air and thus losing a bit of performance.
If you were taking in unfiltered air because of improper seal then yes, it would have been louder, but you would also have been sucking in warmer engine compartment air and thus losing a bit of performance.
#7
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Originally Posted by minkl81
After sealing it properly, K&N is actually quieter than Uni foam filter. Almost quiet as stock intake.
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#9
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by minkl81
Ok... I gave enough time for ecu to readjust and to give an impression...
I think foam filter revs up harder than k&n. Throttle response is about the same with foam filter but it seems that k&n is not reving hard as foam filter.
I think foam filter revs up harder than k&n. Throttle response is about the same with foam filter but it seems that k&n is not reving hard as foam filter.
#12
Team Owner
Originally Posted by minkl81
Ok... I gave enough time for ecu to readjust and to give an impression...
I think foam filter revs up harder than k&n. Throttle response is about the same with foam filter but it seems that k&n is not reving hard as foam filter.
I think foam filter revs up harder than k&n. Throttle response is about the same with foam filter but it seems that k&n is not reving hard as foam filter.
#15
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I'm going to have to try it also. I've always just assumed that it was sealed tight. When I got a K&N panel filter for our Jetta, it came with a foam weather strip in the box.
#17
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Did mine last night.....Wow! It actually made a pretty big difference that you can feel and hear. The raspy sound is gone and the throttle seems smoother.
This little mod is a must for anyone that wants to use a K&N with their Icebox. I can't believe I drove around for 3 months without a good seal around the filter.
This little mod is a must for anyone that wants to use a K&N with their Icebox. I can't believe I drove around for 3 months without a good seal around the filter.
#18
Team Owner
Originally Posted by davo-cls
Did mine last night.....Wow! It actually made a pretty big difference that you can feel and hear. The raspy sound is gone and the throttle seems smoother.
This little mod is a must for anyone that wants to use a K&N with their Icebox. I can't believe I drove around for 3 months without a good seal around the filter.
This little mod is a must for anyone that wants to use a K&N with their Icebox. I can't believe I drove around for 3 months without a good seal around the filter.
I did one layer last night but it was too dark to install it when I was finished. Maybe today after work.
#19
Originally Posted by davo-cls
Did mine last night.....Wow! It actually made a pretty big difference that you can feel and hear. The raspy sound is gone and the throttle seems smoother.
This little mod is a must for anyone that wants to use a K&N with their Icebox. I can't believe I drove around for 3 months without a good seal around the filter.
This little mod is a must for anyone that wants to use a K&N with their Icebox. I can't believe I drove around for 3 months without a good seal around the filter.
#21
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I'm a little worried about using the weatherseal, if you apply it in pieces like shown in the pics above, it is possible that it could get sucked into the engine..
Does the weatherseal stick like glue to the sides of the icebox? How exactly it is secured? I think it would be a little safer to use one continuous section of the weatherseal rather than strips of them. In addition, I think it would be better to use one layer of weatherstrip.. Wouldn't using double layers decrease the volume of air in the icebox.. Therefore, it would negate any performance increase of the larger lid and it would make more sense to just stick with the stock airbox lid.
Currently, I have my icebox lid with the stock paper filter. I removed the the spacers on the 4 corners of the icebox lid and screwed that sucker on tight. It is louder than the foam filter when I go WOT but I sware the car runs faster.
Does the weatherseal stick like glue to the sides of the icebox? How exactly it is secured? I think it would be a little safer to use one continuous section of the weatherseal rather than strips of them. In addition, I think it would be better to use one layer of weatherstrip.. Wouldn't using double layers decrease the volume of air in the icebox.. Therefore, it would negate any performance increase of the larger lid and it would make more sense to just stick with the stock airbox lid.
Currently, I have my icebox lid with the stock paper filter. I removed the the spacers on the 4 corners of the icebox lid and screwed that sucker on tight. It is louder than the foam filter when I go WOT but I sware the car runs faster.
#22
Originally Posted by NJTSXMan
It is louder than the foam filter when I go WOT but I sware the car runs faster.
Seems like you're icebox is not sealed tight and that faster feel is all on your buttdyno.
#23
Team Owner
Originally Posted by NJTSXMan
I'm a little worried about using the weatherseal, if you apply it in pieces like shown in the pics above, it is possible that it could get sucked into the engine..
Does the weatherseal stick like glue to the sides of the icebox? How exactly it is secured? I think it would be a little safer to use one continuous section of the weatherseal rather than strips of them. In addition, I think it would be better to use one layer of weatherstrip.. Wouldn't using double layers decrease the volume of air in the icebox.. Therefore, it would negate any performance increase of the larger lid and it would make more sense to just stick with the stock airbox lid.
Currently, I have my icebox lid with the stock paper filter. I removed the the spacers on the 4 corners of the icebox lid and screwed that sucker on tight. It is louder than the foam filter when I go WOT but I sware the car runs faster.
Does the weatherseal stick like glue to the sides of the icebox? How exactly it is secured? I think it would be a little safer to use one continuous section of the weatherseal rather than strips of them. In addition, I think it would be better to use one layer of weatherstrip.. Wouldn't using double layers decrease the volume of air in the icebox.. Therefore, it would negate any performance increase of the larger lid and it would make more sense to just stick with the stock airbox lid.
Currently, I have my icebox lid with the stock paper filter. I removed the the spacers on the 4 corners of the icebox lid and screwed that sucker on tight. It is louder than the foam filter when I go WOT but I sware the car runs faster.
#24
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Performance vs. Foam filter?
jlukja, how's the performance now compared to when you didn't have a proper seal? how is the performance compared to even the comptech unifoam filter? In the sense of pure performance, would this be a worthwile mod for those with the comptech foam filter? The OP mentioned that his performance was worse than the foam filter
I am seriously considering this mod as well. I went to do one layer of continuous weatherseal like you did along with a K&N filter. I put the unifoam filter back on my car, and my car seriously seems like it is starved for air at times. When I had the stock filter on (even though it wasn't sealed properly), the car seemed to pull much much harder than with the foam filter.
Thanks in advance.
I am seriously considering this mod as well. I went to do one layer of continuous weatherseal like you did along with a K&N filter. I put the unifoam filter back on my car, and my car seriously seems like it is starved for air at times. When I had the stock filter on (even though it wasn't sealed properly), the car seemed to pull much much harder than with the foam filter.
Thanks in advance.
#25
Team Owner
Originally Posted by NJTSXMan
jlukja, how's the performance now compared to when you didn't have a proper seal? how is the performance compared to even the comptech unifoam filter? In the sense of pure performance, would this be a worthwile mod for those with the comptech foam filter? The OP mentioned that his performance was worse than the foam filter
I am seriously considering this mod as well. I went to do one layer of continuous weatherseal like you did along with a K&N filter. I put the unifoam filter back on my car, and my car seriously seems like it is starved for air at times. When I had the stock filter on (even though it wasn't sealed properly), the car seemed to pull much much harder than with the foam filter.
Thanks in advance.
I am seriously considering this mod as well. I went to do one layer of continuous weatherseal like you did along with a K&N filter. I put the unifoam filter back on my car, and my car seriously seems like it is starved for air at times. When I had the stock filter on (even though it wasn't sealed properly), the car seemed to pull much much harder than with the foam filter.
Thanks in advance.
1. Icebox lid with K&N filter, bad seal: The throttle response improvement was immediately noticeable. Upon hitting the throttle the car responds much quicker. When stock it seemed to gather itself a bit before taking off whereas now it takes much less time to respond. It is much louder than stock, sounds raspy, but seems to pull much better in the mid and high RPMs. The poor seal is between the filter and the lid, allowing unfiltered air to come in through the seam under the Icebox lid. This is also why its much louder (intake sound doesn't have to travel throught the filter and the lower air horn). I drive around like this for about 600 miles. My gas mileage drops about 2 mpg.
I am unhappy with the results so I go back to the stock lid and K&N filter.
2. Stock lid with K&N filter, good seal: The throttle response imprvement is gone. Its back to being as hesitant as before intake & filter changes. (For this reason I attribute the throttle response improvement to the larger volume Icebox lid) Do not notice any significant reduction in how hard it pulls when the revs rise. (I figure the improvements that I initially saw were due to the improved flow without the resonator). The raspy sound is gone (i.e. good seal). Mileage improves 2 mpg. I drive like this for around 300-400 mi.
I am unhappy with the loss of throttle response and resolve to try the Icebox lid again.
3. Icebox lid with K&N filter, good seal: Whoa, now we're talking. Sound is quiet until you get up in the high revs. The throttle resonds quicker once again. No significant improvement in power from #2 above.
So my conclusions are:
Icebox lid is better than stock lid for throttle response.
K&N filter doesn't seem to add any significant power.
Replacing the resonator with the Icebox airhorn seems to add power.
Based on my experience I can't say whether the K&N filter is better than the Comptech unifoam filter. I don't notice any significant gain in power going from stock filter to the K&N filter but I'm not sure whether I would notice a gain of 1 or 2 horsepower anyway. I still think the K&N is worth it if only for the fact that you don't have to keep replacing it. Just clean it and back in it goes. Any additional power gain due to the K&N filter is gravy.
My
#26
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jlukja, I really appreciate the detailed post. I will try this mod out soon and report my results. I only hope I can find that exact weatherseal at my local lowes or home depot. Thanks again.
#27
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Hi guys - I would recommend you install something more substantial than weather strips. When I had my ITG filter installed the seller commented on the poor seal with the Icebox. Here is what he did. He used a plastic stencil and cut it to follow the inside of the Icebox. I don't have any pictures as I am travelling until Jan 07 but if you look at this picture you will see what I mean:
My stencil looks similar to the weather strips installed here except it is plastic. If you purchase a semi-thick plastic bread board (yes the ones used in kitchens - say 1cm thick) you can trace the inside of the icebox lid onto the stencil. Then use a jigsaw and cut out the stencil (again with a frame that looks like the weatherstrips - about 1cm all the way around). The installer used windscreen sealant to glue the stencil to the icebox lid. Simple really and you will have a perfect seal regardless of filter used.
My stencil looks similar to the weather strips installed here except it is plastic. If you purchase a semi-thick plastic bread board (yes the ones used in kitchens - say 1cm thick) you can trace the inside of the icebox lid onto the stencil. Then use a jigsaw and cut out the stencil (again with a frame that looks like the weatherstrips - about 1cm all the way around). The installer used windscreen sealant to glue the stencil to the icebox lid. Simple really and you will have a perfect seal regardless of filter used.
#28
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Just finished this and I gotta say, I don't personally feel a major difference from running resonatorless. As a matter of fact, I felt a lot more from PixelHarmony's Injen setup. I know it is getting more air, but I the gain is minimal.
#29
Originally Posted by moda_way
Just finished this and I gotta say, I don't personally feel a major difference from running resonatorless. As a matter of fact, I felt a lot more from PixelHarmony's Injen setup. I know it is getting more air, but I the gain is minimal.
#30
Originally Posted by moda_way
Just finished this and I gotta say, I don't personally feel a major difference from running resonatorless. As a matter of fact, I felt a lot more from PixelHarmony's Injen setup. I know it is getting more air, but I the gain is minimal.
#32
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Originally Posted by Spoon
Out of curiosity, is his setup the same as yours, exception being the intake of course? Only reason I ask is that I'm running the icebox (vs. a month or two resonatorless) and while I didn't notice a difference in power, overall acceleration seemed 'smoother' and there was less vibration (5AT). Also, I've seen you're header & cat post so maybe the minimal difference is further minimized by a higher frame of reference.
I'll be doing Hondata and heat shield in August.
#33
Originally Posted by moda_way
Your comment about the header and cat setup is what I was thinking too. That minimal amount of difference I notice I think was the acceleration.
I'll be doing Hondata and heat shield in August.
I'll be doing Hondata and heat shield in August.
by the way, those weather strips are still holding up great.
#34
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Originally Posted by minkl81
i want reflash too, but still no sign of making one for 05 AT.
by the way, those weather strips are still holding up great.
by the way, those weather strips are still holding up great.
#35
Originally Posted by moda_way
How tight was the stock airbox-to-TB pipe connection to your Icebox? Mine was so tight I had to take of the Icebox and pipe and connect them off the car. I did only use one layer of weather strip and checked it by looking into the icebox with a light. All seemed to see correctly and thus far no sucking noises.
#36
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Originally Posted by minkl81
did you take those tightening springs off on the TB pipe?
#38
Team Owner
I left my spring on. I can't get it to slide all the way in and it looks a bit off but there are no sucking sounds coming from where they meet. I don't want to take it off for the fear of not being able to get it back on. My spring is on TIGHT.
#39
Senior Moderator
The instructions do say to remove the spring. I removed it, connected the hose easily, and attempted to re-attach the spring with the aid of pliers, but bent the connecting hooks from the force on it. I gave up and threw it out.
#40
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Originally Posted by Reach
The instructions do say to remove the spring. I removed it, connected the hose easily, and attempted to re-attach the spring with the aid of pliers, but bent the connecting hooks from the force on it. I gave up and threw it out.