Pod Filters Are Bad For Altezzas, 3S-GE power loss and irratic A:F ratio

http://forums.toyspeed.org.nz/viewtopic.php?t=45094

I think I've mentioned this before

Jebus is talking about me

Soooo... many variables!

What the computer does with the input readings, how the MAF sensor reacts to the pod setup, how hot the intake air gets, what sort of pulsations resonate down the pod tube compared to the stock box....

Even that stock box with the branch going into the fender has never been clearly understood!

... and I assume some pod filters on some cars work well and others don't!

Could the guys with pods post up what they have, how it performs, and stick up a photo...?

Maybe we can find out the best combination to use.

I currently running Stock AIr Box with TRD Panel FIlter. I chucking in Apexi Pod filter. HOping that it runs fine conseding i orded the special APexi kit from Japan that is specially made for the Altezza. Still waiting for the dam shipment from japan so will post review compared to the TRD Panel filter when i finally get it in.

Im using Goldberg's old HKS pod filter setup.

It ran like shit in his car with is air flow sensor but runs fine in mine with my air flow sensor.

The pipe its got is longer than the HKS RS kit which some members have on here, don't know if that contributed to Goldberg's problems?

Hmmm.. so did he have other mods that stopped it working, or do you have other mods that make it work?? Or is there a difference in the way you have fitted it somehow?? There must be a reason for this, maybe this is the root of all the troubles we hear about.

Got a photo jase?

My engine mods are just HKS extractors and a TOM'S ECU.

I thought it was the ecu at first, but it still ran like shit with Jases standard ECU in it. It is a mystery.

i ran apexi power intake

had no probs at all

Here are some pics of it..

Yeaa it is a mystery why it ran fine in my but not his... I say its got something to do with the flow sensor..?

Was it just like that in Goldberg's?? Same sensor place and everything??

Yeah it was the exact same as that

using Apexi pod filter with Apexi heat shield. was on stock ecu initially, it was ok except for WOT on low rpms. the maf sensor could account for difference in airflow most of the time. now on powerfc. with the correct settings, the difference betw stock ecu and aftermarket ecu is pretty significant. no more "hesitation" at low rpms and high throttle positions.

How much a new ECU cost??.

for a power fc i think ur'd be looking around $1400ish
and tuning it would be around say 3 hrs at $100 an hr

not really worth it just to change airfilter

Just fitted an Apexi power intake today to my RS200Z tipronic....

Don't see much of a difference at low revs but definitly an improvement when in 3rd up to 140km...

But the best bit is the ROAR when you floor it... you might not be going any faster but loving every second......

Also it's not noticable at all for regular driving... so that will keep the wife happy


Great value too

Just get an aftermarket dropin panel filter, just got my apexi airfilter from frylai in not long ago and no probs at all, gas seems to go a bit further now too:P

Nick

Hi

I drive a lexus is200, not altezza. would installing a pod filter be detrimental to my car? ie have a bad effect or screw up any programing etc? sorry im noob

hey Andy you would be better off with a panel filter replacement as i havent heard of any improvments that a pod will make

i've personally felt a vast difference between pods and using aftermkt panel filters for the stock airbox... even tried using just a fine nylon mesh to try and get the maximum flow through the stock airbox...

i've come to the conclusion that there's no way we can get maximum flow(and ultimately maximum performance) out of the stock box...most people with a fluids engineering background will be able to tell that the design was not optimised for maximum flow... and the only 2 reasons why the design is such, I can think of are:-
1) to dampen the intake pulses and possibly intake length tuning.
2) to reduce induction noise for the very fact that it's a production car that has noise emission standards to meet.

the flap, as already been talked about to open exactly at 4700rpm, is what i believe to restrict the intake flow into the engine(since low rpm doesnt need as much air as high rpm) in order to boast exceptional fuel economy and emission controls as a result of less fuel required due to the restriction.

to cut the long story short, every wierd thing we see in the intake system was probably designed to match the rest the car in stock form and its purpose as a production car which was initially aimed at high NA hp output but yet able to give good fuel economy and low emissions...don't know if u guys are aware but our stock ecu is able to control NOx emissions as well, that's why our stock ecu is so difficult to figure and so terribly sensitive to any mods...

the only way to getting the pods to work well enough on our cars is to get a piggyback ecu or a full replacement ecu... it all boils down to tuning... else we are frankly better off leaving the stock airbox intact...

if we really must insist having the pod with the stock ecu, then the airflow sensor retrofit has to be perfectly designed to imitate the airflow signal exactly like the stock airbox's, in which case the cross-sectional area has be effectively reduced to increase the flow velocity across the air flow sensor(which by the way is ironically creating a restriction in the intake path)

will type more lata... m at work!

wow... i didn't understand much of that but i got the jist... best to elave in stock, pod filter = problems. gaaaay. i used to have a mitsubishi lancer, installing pod filter made it faster, more fuel efficient and sound nicer and give it a smoother ride, i was hoping a pod filter would do the same for my is200 without too much hassle.. awww well has anyone actually installed a pod filter succesfully into a is200 and had it improve it somehow without much ecu problems? thanks :S

ps. twincam would a drop in panel filter have the same problems as a pod that you stated? (and just to confirm a drop in panel filter is just one which you drop in into your stock airbox right? see im noob as hell lol)

ppss. would resetting the ecu overcome the whole ecu recognizing only the factory sort of airflow?

Check this thread out lots of info here.

http://forum.altezzaclub.org.au/index.php?showtopic=2290

>>ps. twincam would a drop in panel filter have the same problems as a pod that you stated? (and just to confirm a drop in panel filter is just one which you drop in into your stock airbox right? see im noob as hell lol)<<

a drop-in panel filter will not cause problems like a pod would... and yeap, a drop-in is a direct replacement for the stock paper filter...

thanks

Andy i picked up my K&N drop in for $110 from autobarn

cool! i might swing by and have a look

do i have to reset the ecu after i install a drop in panel filter and use 98 octane fuel? thanks

cool k&n drop in panel filter just arrived!! , do i need to reset the ecu now?