My car feels more responsive now that I drove it around some more...What I'm really
expecting this added airflow to do , is to enhance the full exhaust system i plan to install
in the near future.. Remember, what comes in must go out, greater intake air flow
needs a better breathing exhaust system, to truely be effective..

 

The placebo effect is amazingly powerful. The "butt dyno" is pretty worthless for anything less than a monumental change in power -- you'll need to do back-to-back runs on a real dyno or at a drag strip before you can say with certainty that removing the filter has benefit.

P.S.
I don't think that having the car run poorly after removing the filter is proof of increase airflow. While that's certainly a possibility, there could be other explanations, such as an increase in airstream turbulence affecting air mass sensor readings.

 

If that was the case, the ecu would not of adjusted to it within a few mins..also, there's no way removing it can cause choppy air, it should just cause a more steady air flow rate, if anything..
Now, I'm NOT saying it mades HP for sure, but I'm pretty sure it won't hurt anything or make me lose any power.. This took 10 mins to do, so what did I have to lose?

 

Sorry to bring back such an old thread, but was wondering if anyone ever did a dyno test with the Charcoal filter out of the intake?

 

You realise it's only there to catch hydrocarbons from the intake for evaporative emissions?

You also realise you will not pass smog in California with it removed?

Finally, if it makes a tenth of a hp difference I will be amazed. There is so little restriction in those filters it isn't funny. Anybody have a flowbench to measure the pressure drop across it?

 

I'm not from CA, but how would CA know the charcoal filter is removed? I doubt any test they run would hint to it's removal.

I'm not planning on removing mine, but just curious to find some hard facts about performance benefits if any.

 

California does visual inspections. That's why CA smog is such a PITA. You can run clean and fail to pass because you don't pass the visual inspection. I have no doubt the smog techs look for the charcoal filter on ULEVII vehicles.

 

I wouldn't worry about smogging it. If you're careful and dont break the frame of that filter when you go to remove it, all you gotta do is silicone glue it back onto the airbox when you go to smog it. Nobody will EVER know the difference! When I brought it into the dealership for the free 5k oil and filter change. I watched the tech and he didn't even blink when he took off the airbox cover to change the filter for me.

 

Looks don't mean anything. Air molecules are funny that way. Some things that "look" like they won't flow beans are incredibly free-flowing, and other things that you would expect to be awesome turn out to be intolerably restrictive. Only a flowbench will let you know which is which.

And I'm not worried about smogging it. I'm moving to Atlanta next month, so California smog rules can KMA.

 

Take it from an ex CA smog tech(only because I moved to AZ) there isn't a smog tech out there that is going to fail your car for this

 

Not to mention it would take the tech several minutes to pull off the engine covers and gain access to the airbox lid. I'm guessing the Smog techs look for cats and run their sniffers in the exhaust and/or check the OBDII ports.

 

None of the cars with charcoal filters in the airbox have come due for smog checks. I guarantee you, the guy who did my Supra the last time will be checking for them. I've never seen a more thorough inspection, but it was a test only station (required because Supras in California have been identified as "high emitters"). I'm really surprised he didn't find the one thing that would have failed me for sure. He definitely failed me the first time for my HKS SSQV even with it set up to recirculate just like stock.

In Sacramento, they'll take apart anything they think they need apart to determine compliance. That's my experience anyway.

I am glad to be moving out of California.

 

It could be to your discretion to not check visually, but when I had my parent's Camry in a smog station, they throroughly checked everything, even though the car is stock. They are people who dont really care about visual, and there are others who stick to their job guideline.

If no CA smog tech tech did visual inspection, half of the people who mod wouldn't be so worried about having CARB legal mods.

 

Okay being the guy that started this thread. I decided to make a little video to help some of you folks decide. Not scientific at all but just from this little test I'd say there is a big difference between having this thing on and not having it on. Up to you guys but I know I'm not losing any sleep by having it off.

If you guys are worried about passing visual inspection just silicon the frame of the filter back on the airbox for the test and I promise you they'll never know the difference no matter how thorough they are. Just be careful to take your time and not crack the plastic when removing it in the first place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgW24Vh5ons

 

You're kidding...that's a funny video. And you're right, not scientific at all. You should talk to Prolong or Slick 50. They're famous for this kind of "test."