Pod Filter's

[cam_bourke]

Hey, im thinking of buying a pod filter for my stock 2001 mk4 vw golf. Just wanted to get a general idea of the best/suitable (size and whatnot) pod filter for my car.

So far I've looked on super cheap auto and found this one:

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Calibre-Pod-Air-Filter-Metal-Cap-100mm.aspx?pid=155185#Description

Tell me what you guys think!

Thanks, Cam

[leighaus]

get a 3 inch "3A racing" brand pod if you insist. Best flowing pod (independently tested) and roughly the same price as that thing you linked. available at autobarn.

[Tarmac]

Why do you want to put 1 on? Be careful it doesnt mess the Air Fuel Ratio's up.

[darksigno]

Why do you want to put 1 on? Be careful it doesnt mess the Air Fuel Ratio's up.

+1 i put on a Pod filter onto my bmw 318i and messed up the maf, had to get a new maf and a tune to handle the pod as i got rid of the original air filter(crumbled apart cause the dealership had the hood up every day, had to replace all plastic pieces including cap covers and oil stick handle)

[cam_bourke]

I heard they slightly improve fuel efficiently and also slightly change the sound of the exhaust, or something to similar to that. Being a relatively cheap product im thinking it might be worthwhile. Will the black box around the filter be a issue?

[darksigno]

I heard they slightly improve fuel efficiently and also slightly change the sound of the exhaust, or something to similar to that. Being a relatively cheap product im thinking it might be worthwhile. Will the black box around the filter be a issue?

I wouldnt say it improves fuel efficiency, mine def didnt, but it will add a nice note to your exhaust, you will most proberly need to remove the black box unfortunatly which will leave it open and sucking in heat from the engine(which is bad)

[leighaus]

you wont really hear shit from your exhaust. You will hear intake noise. kind of like a high velocity gasping noise.

Pod filters *can* improve fuel economy, and give cheap power gains. You will Need to remove the airbox. You *then should* create a heat shield and ram air tubing to minimize heatsoak/engine bay temps into the intake and to add ram-air effect. More air that goes in, more power. basically. Unless you can fabricate yourself, the pod enclosure can be a bit expensive. On my last car i spent 300$ on the shielding alone, but that was some top quality stuff.

You can easily make less pretty things yourself, and then work on tidying it up over time. Use cardboard to work out dimensions, then choose your material that will do the best job of keeping the temps down. Some people modify the stock airboxes and adapt them to suit a pod filter application. However i prefer to not maul an airbox should i wish to return to a panel filter setup.

with the MAFs getting damaged, there a plenty of VAG cars out there running pods without issue. Just dont use an oil based pod filter, as this is where the issue lies. The oil may end up on the tiny filament (string of metal) that senses the air flow. Once the oil vapour has built up, it will foul the MAFs reading and cause issues.

heres how my old air intake setup was...
http://users.on.net/~moroney/acron/finished.JPG

yes its a v8 and no its not a vw, but its to give you an idea of how good it can look. ;) (p.s you can see the MAF, right behind the airbox also).

[dylan8]

if you are going pod dont keep the existing air filter box, completely ruins the point...
most guys go for a CAI setup down in the lower bumper. run the risk of sucking up water... but dont pick up engine heat. Otherwise the picture above is a decent looking setup. but you dont have any room for that as the battery is there...
It wont change the exhaust note, might get some intake noise though.

[cam_bourke]

Alright, thanks guys for all the input. I'm having second thoughts about getting one if they arent just goin to be an easy and relatively cheap mod, plus running the risk of screwing up my maf wouldnt be ideal haha. thanks again, and especially leighaus for the detailed response

[Tarmac]

To be honest. The best thing you can do for your car is replace the OEM filter with a K&N or similar. That way you dont have to reaplace it again and you WILL feel slightly better throttle response. The other way you can go is get a fully sick pod filter but then get the car tuned properly.

[darksigno]

how fully sick are we talking here? like fully sick bru? or fully sik uleh SUUUBBBWWWWOOOOOFFFFFAAAAAA

[Tarmac]

Probably fully sic uleh.

[leighaus]

To be honest. The best thing you can do for your car is replace the OEM filter with a K&N or similar. That way you dont have to reaplace it again and you WILL feel slightly better throttle response. The other way you can go is get a fully sick pod filter but then get the car tuned properly.
that makes no sense at all.

Why would you get a tune done for a podfilter, but not a high flow panel filter? your logic, is not logical. Once again, the information some people give out on here is just mind boggling. Installing a high flowing K&N panel filter, will do the EXACT same thing to your MAF as a K&N pod filter would do. no if buts or maybes about it.

There are oiled flat panel (aka oem replacement) and dry filters. the exact same can be said for pods.

Considering you dont sound too adventurous, i would probably go the oem replacement.