Tuning Air filter

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Tuning Air filter

Loz88

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Been looking for a aftermarket air filter but can't find one that fits. Does anyone know where I can get one? And after a bigger intercooler if anybody knows what ones fit.
 
Been looking for a aftermarket air filter but can't find one that fits. Does anyone know where I can get one? And after a bigger intercooler if anybody knows what ones fit.

Super first post lad; shall we assume you're rocking a 1.9 jtd 8v - seeing as none of the petrols were turbo and the 16v jtd engines are somewhat rarer.

In the land of modifying the phrase "built no bought" is key; so you're going to need to do a bit of fabricating to get where you want to be.

Let's start with the intercooler.....

The standard is an SMIC (side mount intercooler) sits in the passenger side wing. Realistically you're not going to be able to find anything bigger that'll fit in there - it pretty well fills the space it's in already.

Your best option, if you want optimal cooling, is to switch to a FMIC (front mount intercooler). I've switched 1.9 jtd 16vs to FMIC previously and they do respond very well to it. I've not do it on a Stilo though so I can't guide you too much on positioning and plumbing.

If it helps, the last application I did the conversion on was an Alfa 156 jtd sport and that was on 52mm (2 inch) piping. Keep the piping to same diameter and you can then match up your new FMIC to the old plumbing easier - so measure before you order.

There aren't any kits off the shelf that exist, at least not that I know of, so you'll have to build your own. Happily you can get "universal" kits off places like ebay and they're typically cheaper than a made to fit job; of course you'll have to do the fabrication and run the plumbing. Try not to hack holes all over the place on the bumper - it looks very very poor when people do such things.

Air filter you have two options....

You can go for a direct replacement panel, something like a K&N (I know they exist) replacement panel will set you back around £50. You can maintain an OEM look whilst gaining some performance.

Realistically a panel filter will suffice just fine, the induction on the JTDs isn't that restrictive so it'll build boost perfectly like this.

The next option is to go aftermarket open air filter. This will require a bunch more fabrication as you'll need to run plumbing for the filter.

In this instance it's important you leave the MAF meter where it is. Rule number 1 of MAF meter, don't mess with the MAF meter. It's probably less of an importance on a boosted motor but on NAs there is plenty of argument on there for not moving them!

Happily, if you've just gone FMIC you might find yourself with a big bag of room right where the old SMIC used to live, so you can aim to put your new air-filter down into that space where it'll receive bags of cold air - which is what you want. You have to route the plumbing so that the air filter is sat in a nice cold spot with lots of lovely fresh air to get the best out of the application.

Note that with an open filter it may be necessary to fit a rain jacket to it during particularly wet weather. Most people just stick a rain jacket on for the winter months and take it off again in spring!

You will get a significant increase in induction noise on an open filter, like you've got a bag of angry snakes under your right foot on WOT and when you lift off expect a noise like Chewbacca sneezing!
 
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