Bigger/better intake filter for ESS VT setup?

KennethH · 29th January 2013, 10:06

I'm trying to cope with the winter season by thinking of new mods to make for next summer season

Have anyone looked into replacing the intake air filter that comes with the ESS VT2 setup? First of all, I think a bigger filter would fit, if any bigger models are available. Secondly, this model have a closed gable, so the effective filter surface is only the visible one on the outside. I know there are cone filters with open gable and filter surface on the inside too. Anyone that can comment on this?

This is a dry filter, right? When it's dirty, you simply replace it?

What make and model is the ESS filter?

Edit: Sorry about the dirt. It's from the long drive back home, from ESS in Norway. It's been cleaned after this pic was taken. The uneven covering with dirt, reveals that I might have been looking closely at the intake

Hasan Shaikh · 29th January 2013, 14:50

I don't think it will make a difference with the supercharger.

KennethH · 29th January 2013, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hasan Shaikh

I don't think it will make a difference with the supercharger.

Ok, please explain why. I'm a man of science, so an explanation will be needed

Hasan Shaikh · 29th January 2013, 16:30

I am no expert on this; but even if you can draw in more air, the supercharger will only produce the boost it is programmed to.

IMHO! The bottleneck is how much boost the engine can take. I am sure the intake and the blower are capable of creating much more boost than what they are programmed to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KennethH

Ok, please explain why. I'm a man of science, so an explanation will be needed

KennethH · 29th January 2013, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hasan Shaikh

I am no expert on this; but even if you can draw in more air, the supercharger will only produce the boost it is programmed to.

IMHO! The bottleneck is how much boost the engine can take. I am sure the intake and the blower are capable of creating much more boost than what they are programmed to.

Thanks for your reply. Well, that's the thing, there is no such programming with this kit. The system is, besides ECU programming, pretty much based on mechanical changes/additions to the engine. The supercharger unit/impeller is belt driven and boost level is given by the gearing of the belt drive (if you don't alter the internal SC gearing) and ultimately the maximum boost level is controlled by the setting of the waste gate on the manifold, if I've not missed out on something. Under certain conditions (most/all conditions), there will be sub-atmosphere pressure in the intake pipe prior the SC unit, due to flow resistance in the intake. It will be greatest under WOT and max rev and it will result in a certain amount of power loss, since the SC unit will have to "suck" in the air. But I'm not sure how much power it uses. But I'm pretty sure too, since it's forced induction, there won't be very big gains to get from this. I was just curious if anyone did any testing or thinking around this. Making sure it's getting cold air instead, would make much bigger difference, than a lower resistance intake.

It would be interesting to see a dyno run with vs without filter, however. But ultimately, the reason for this post, is just that it's winter here and I'm bored from having the car sitting on stands in the garage and I try to plan ahead for next season...

Hasan Shaikh · 30th January 2013, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by KennethH

Thanks for your reply. Well, that's the thing, there is no such programming with this kit. The system is, besides ECU programming, pretty much based on mechanical changes/additions to the engine. The supercharger unit/impeller is belt driven and boost level is given by the gearing of the belt drive (if you don't alter the internal SC gearing) and ultimately the maximum boost level is controlled by the setting of the waste gate on the manifold, if I've not missed out on something. Under certain conditions (most/all conditions), there will be sub-atmosphere pressure in the intake pipe prior the SC unit, due to flow resistance in the intake. It will be greatest under WOT and max rev and it will result in a certain amount of power loss, since the SC unit will have to "suck" in the air. But I'm not sure how much power it uses. But I'm pretty sure too, since it's forced induction, there won't be very big gains to get from this. I was just curious if anyone did any testing or thinking around this. Making sure it's getting cold air instead, would make much bigger difference, than a lower resistance intake.

It would be interesting to see a dyno run with vs without filter, however. But ultimately, the reason for this post, is just that it's winter here and I'm bored from having the car sitting on stands in the garage and I try to plan ahead for next season...

What you are saying makes sense.

However, the supercharger is always sucking in air and blowing it in the engine. If you want to suck in more air, you should look into replacing the pulley.

IMHO! The filter will have no effect.

In addition, you should check this with ESS; I am sure they must have considered this in their development of the system.

Good Luck!

allmotor_2000 · 30th January 2013, 11:42

I have dyno'd without the filter - doesn't improve. Bottle neck is the
pipe diameter, but that was solved its the larger pipe your kit has as
compared to having the DCI to compensate.

You will get more gains by cooling down the air.

allmotor_2000 · 30th January 2013, 11:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hasan Shaikh

I am no expert on this; but even if you can draw in more air, the supercharger will only produce the boost it is programmed to.

IMHO! The bottleneck is how much boost the engine can take. I am sure the intake and the blower are capable of creating much more boost than what they are programmed to.

Actually that's not correct. Supercharger just spins and compresses what it is given.
If its given less air, it will produce the same boost but lower volume of air.
There is no programming.... pure physics. Boyle's law: P1/V1=P2/V2

KennethH · 31st January 2013, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by allmotor_2000

I have dyno'd without the filter - doesn't improve. Bottle neck is the
pipe diameter, but that was solved its the larger pipe your kit has as
compared to having the DCI to compensate.

You will get more gains by cooling down the air.

Had to do some calculations and I came to the same conclusion in theory, so I'm sure it's as you say.
Any suggestions on how to cool the air, besides vented hood?
It's difficult to reach the cold outside air, without introducing new problems such as longer pipes, narrow sections etc.

tjav8b · 31st January 2013, 18:18

There are two different design routes to cooler air that are pictured here that would work with the space we have under the hood. The Shelby GT-500 and the G-Power Hurricane design. The only reason ESS did not do this is because of money. It was simply cheaper not to do it. ESS told me that it did not matter because the intercooler was so efficient. I would love to see their data. I have read reports with the GT-500 design that there was a 50hp difference between the cold air and open air design.