I promised this ages ago, but it slipped my mind until just now. Nothing too in-depth, just a few words.

First thing I should note is that my old air filter was non standard, ruined, and sat right on the water pipe. Secondly, I don't tend to race or stress my car very much, so don't be expecting any 'redline' impressions.

After hassling Peter for about a month, or what seemed like a life time, my kit finally arrived. It was a little less aesthetically pleasing than I though it would be, a few slight imperfections in the material, but nothing major.

It is very high quality material though, and it's shaped perfectly to fit the car. The air filter on the other hand is quite large, no-brand model you can pick up on eBay for about £8. Not that this is an important factor, as your money goes into the bespoke pipe and design rather than the actual filter (which, as long as it's clean and large enough, is largely irrelevant).

Fitting was quite easy as it has a bracket attached to the bottom which is easily adjustable. It does get squeezed against the battery tray and the bonnet tends to press on it, but neither to any extent which would cause concern.

The first thing I noticed after fitting it to the car was the tone of the engine had become slightly lower and had an almost 'gurgling' sound (or as close as a four cylinder will get). Very pleasing. Secondly, the torque being produced, even at low RPM, was amazing. Caused a few unintentional wheel spins initially, a huge improvement. The engine felt more responsive, more powerful and much happier.

Lastly, was it worth the money? Well, it's a LOT of cash to spend on induction... However it does work and is quite an exclusive item, so it's difficult to give a straight answer. If pushed, I'd probably say 'yes', but it could always be a few quid cheaper.

I'm very pleased with the GSR kit - although I can only compare it to a worn, non standard unit, so please bear that in mind.

Please feel free to ask me any questions at all.

Tony

Thanks for the info and pics.

Regarding the filter I have to say that it is a filter produced in Taiwan and it looks like filters from ebay and might come even from the same source, but has got one crucial difference, which is the reason why I use them.

I also can tell you that currently I pay for them 15.50 pounds and do them at cost.

The reason that I have opted for the filter is the flow characteristics and the low price is just a bonus.

BTW Sparco and AMP, who used to have their filters made at Sprint filters buy theirs from the same sources.

Great review Tony, I had an equally good experience with my GSR kit and I replaced a brand new air filter with it.

I think the price is a bargain in terms of bhp per pound.

Oldschool said:

The reason that I have opted for the filter is the flow characteristics and the low price is just a bonus.

Click to expand...

Thanks, that puts my mind at ease. You really put a lot of time into these things.

MattB2k said:

I think the price is a bargain in terms of bhp per pound.

Click to expand...

Yes, when you think of it that way, it's probably the best mod you can do.

I'll be honest to say. If that's the GSR kit then I am glad I decided to buy a CDA induction kit instead.

The thing you want most from an induction kit is air in as smooth and quick as possible. Then why does that kit have so many bends. I created my own that consists of one filter, 30cm pipe, air sensor and the throttle body. All in the same line. No bends. Then I have a cold air feed to it. All for £20. Sounds nice and works very well.

My next plan is to remove the battery and place it at the rear so I can fit the CDA kit which is huge! But this is the best system I can see out there.

The photos above look like a bent pipe with a cheap filter on the end. We can all do that using e-bay.

However if you feel the difference then job done. Enjoy it.

Well, a nice feed of cold air is probably better than a straight pipe (which, incidental, was what I removed). The GSR is also the only kit that has been proven beneficial on a rolling road. I almost bought a CDA - it is Italian after all, but if it's not increasing BHP output, then is there really any point?

The point of my review was really to tell people that, the GSR install isn't a show part, but it really does do what it says.

cda sucks in all the dirt, and unlike an open filter it don't fall off, all the dirt stays in, after just 3 months your flow will be reduced so much it will seriously sap performance.

the B does not have a turbo so you dont want short induction lenth

here is what was in mine after not to long at all





after it was clean we did cda v gsr rr runs same day same weather, and the gsr gave more bhp and a lot more torque, and the cda was plumed into an air scoop

For what it's worth my CDA has never given me any problems over the past two years and my filter never turned up looking like that Dave. Did you connect the CDA filter to a tractor or something?

Doc

I ran a DIA kit with a feed straight into an open front bumper and didn't pick up stuff like that either, interested to know how you managed Dave!

mine filter was also full of mud and small animals when was on place where old filter was... so i replace it like Doc and HP. have.

here

Nino_1975 said:

I'll be honest to say. If that's the GSR kit then I am glad I decided to buy a CDA induction kit instead.

The thing you want most from an induction kit is air in as smooth and quick as possible. Then why does that kit have so many bends. I created my own that consists of one filter, 30cm pipe, air sensor and the throttle body. All in the same line. No bends. Then I have a cold air feed to it. All for £20. Sounds nice and works very well.

My next plan is to remove the battery and place it at the rear so I can fit the CDA kit which is huge! But this is the best system I can see out there.

The photos above look like a bent pipe with a cheap filter on the end. We can all do that using e-bay.

However if you feel the difference then job done. Enjoy it.

Click to expand...

If anyone who runs the same GSR induction kit on a Punto or Stilo reads this, they will just laugh in your face. And I too would if I were younger.

First of all the induction kit wasw designed in order not to remove the car or re-work the car.

Secondly, you have to pick up the air in the right place. And from your own admission it is quite safe to say that you don't know where the right place is.

And just for your information, the flow of air changes in the CDA three times and not in the best way from the point of flow dynamics.

The filter I use might cost a god 130+ pounds less, but has been proven to flow better than anything else on the market. Me not being pregedist have selected the filter primarily because of its impressing flow characteristics.

When you claim that the air should came as quick and smooth as possible you can't seriously indicate that this is possible with a CDA!

If the GSR wouldn't have a bend it would stick out of the bonnet. Would be great, wouldn't it?

The bends are designed a way to give it under the circumstances the fastest acceptable gas speed with the least restrictions.

The result is the best induction kit ever for this engine, which has proven to give more of a torque improvement than any CDA based induction from any one as well as any other.

No other kit has improved peak power by 10+bhp on this particular engine.

This was a pretty arrogant remark of a proven kit with your unproven attempt.

I have to say that I am more than disappointed that an adult can come up with a statement of such kind.

If I had not had my intake made I think I would have gone down the GSR road as it's a good all in one solution for this engine.

Chill Oldschool it's a nice system giving good BHP returns.

The main issue I see is not with the GSR Kit, it's with the amount of calling and pushing that's needed to get hold of one. It might be just me but I have a low tolerance when it comes to chasing people to try and give them money for a product.

Example:

Funkstar De Luxe" After hassling Peter for about a month, or what seemed like a life time, my kit finally arrived."

Just my 10p
Doc

What price does it sell at and what is the waiting time please Oldschool?

Chris

HP. said:

I ran a DIA kit with a feed straight into an open front bumper and didn't pick up stuff like that either, interested to know how you managed Dave!

Click to expand...

bird was in it after your mate fitted it so ask him

when i re routed it with the air scoop, fixed tight to mesh it still got as much crap in just minus the bird

if others are not getting the same amout of crap i wonder if they are getting the same amount of air in, :chin:

Do you do a lot of rallycross, Dave?

Nino_1975 said:

I'll be honest to say. If that's the GSR kit then I am glad I decided to buy a CDA induction kit instead.

The thing you want most from an induction kit is air in as smooth and quick as possible. Then why does that kit have so many bends. I created my own that consists of one filter, 30cm pipe, air sensor and the throttle body. All in the same line. No bends. Then I have a cold air feed to it. All for £20. Sounds nice and works very well.

My next plan is to remove the battery and place it at the rear so I can fit the CDA kit which is huge! But this is the best system I can see out there.

The photos above look like a bent pipe with a cheap filter on the end. We can all do that using e-bay.

However if you feel the difference then job done. Enjoy it.

Click to expand...

LOL why does everyone seem to think they can make their own kit better? Do you have any understanding of flow pressures and the optimum requirements for this? Where is your mechanical engineering qualifications?

I say, get to a rolling road day, roll the car with your little home made kit, and then with the GSR, and you'll realise the difference.

docorangepeel said:

The main issue I see is not with the GSR Kit, it's with the amount of calling and pushing that's needed to get hold of one.

Click to expand...

The difference here though, is rather than buying some off the shelf "made as cheap as possible" kit which is what most people do, you've ordered a hand made kit with the GSR. You have to understand that when things are made to order the process takes longer. I'm sure you do anyway, as you had a custom kit made elsewhere in the end.

I could go buy a CDA from halfrauds for my pug in much less time than awaiting the GSR kit, but then I pay the same for in affect a loss of power, in which case why did I bother doing the mod?

The kit is imho worth the wait as it is the best one available. Not that Oldschool needs me to talk up the quality of his kit. Theres a reason it sells so well on this forum.

I hear what you are saying MEGAginge but I think you have misunderstood my point. I agree with you the GSR is not an off the shelf part and that its made to order so can take time to produce. My issue is how much hassle/effort the person who is buying it has to go through to get the GSR kit and an ever changing delivery date let down.

I am sure this is not the case all the time but from the amount of posts on Alfa, Fiat and other car forums its more the norm the exception.

Saying that, if GSR customers keep placing orders anyway then why should GSR care when business is good.

beacon said:

What price does it sell at and what is the waiting time please Oldschool?

Chris

Click to expand...

from my experience we went to a rolling road day and had on fitted on my sons bravo that day no waiting no fuss and a cup of tea !!
i personal have never found it hard to get hold of old school for any thing
MUST BE MY WOMANS CHARM sorry boys !!!

Two things to note when referring to the wait time. 1, Pete didn't have my money, so it's not like I was out of pocket. 2, it's hand made, and I doubt there's a stock of them for any model, least of all the Barchetta.

BTW Peter, when it comes time to replace the air filter, do I contact you or can I pick it up else where?