Are GT4 styled air filters any good for your Aston? | QOTW
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 20 авг 2022
- Whether it’s the so called Aston Martin racing ‘professional tuning outfit’ or the often clueless enthusiastic Aston Martin owner turned parts seller who is not grounded in engineering. GT4 styled airboxes is a easy win cash cow for them both when selling their un researched products to the uninformed buyer.
Bamford Rose QOTW #0147
In this video Mike explains that the standard factory air induction system fitted to the Aston Martin V8 Vantage causes no restrictions or losses, no decrease of inlet manifold pressure vs atmospheric pressure when the engine is operated at maximum power and engine speed.
Meaning that if the inlet manifold is already at atmospheric pressure at peak power speed when on the standard factory airbox system, and there is no air depression / pressure loss measured in the inlet manifold, there can be no improvement to that situation possible by changing the air system in any way to gain any further power by using aftermarket parts.
But that reality doesn’t stop retailers of such equipment claiming there are performance gains to be had by a GT4 inspired airfilter design, and selling those products to uninformed owners.
Mike proves that status in two ways:
Firstly by recording inlet manifold pressure during a power run, and revealing data which shows the inlet manifold is at atmospheric pressure on the standard airbox.
And secondly, by blanking off one entire airbox system, meaning all air is flowing through one airbox only with one standard air filter fitted.
In summary, if there is no pressure loss on the factory set up, there can be no improvement to power from so called low loss air filters.
But if anyone needed more data to arrive at an informed decision, Mike shows the V8 Vantage can actually accelerate at exactly the same rate with only one airbox fitted.
What the so called turners don’t understand is that for performance, one airbox can flow all the air needed to achieve the performance, and a second airbox and filter was designed not to offer more air flow (because the engine doesn’t need it), but to increase the service life of the one filter.
If flowing the maximum air through one filter, the service life is short, if flowing the same air through 2 filters the service life of the filter is increased.
Mike performed the test with only one airbox as a very simple visual representation that if the car accelerated exactly the same with only one airbox fitted, as it does with both airboxes fitted, then does replacing the airfilter on both sides with a GT4 style airfilter give any additional performance increase? The answer is clearly not because the engine can suck all the air it needs from only one airbox fitted with one standard filter.
Data from suppliers of such aftermarket parts which shows airflow or vehicle performance increases with GT4 styled air filters is either dubious or disingenuous and to suit their own ends - selling equipment which isn’t needed but looks the part because it’s race inspired.
Mike’s data did show very small pressure loss compared to atmospheric pressure. That small pressure loss was optimised by the factory N400 or AM power upgrade air induction flap. But when the car accelerates the same using one airbox, questions whilst the flap returned a minor pressure loss improvement, how did that actually translate to measured acceleration - extremely little as to be difficult to discern by the driver is the possible answer. But the additional induction roar is nice and gives the driver the perception the car is improved.
Check us out on Facebook :
/ bamfordroseltd
Follow us on Instagram @Bamfordrose
Email Performance@bamfordrose.com
Tel 0808 1231 007
#astonmartin #bamfordrose #astonmartinv8vantage
#v8vantageastonmartin 
Авто/Мото
Excellent data, nice work Mike. I'd presume for the actual race cars its quick serviceability that they are after as well, quick to swap. It's a few pounds of weight savings, but that is less than 1bhp of power gain. I enjoyed the slight increase of the induction noise (the 'snork' sound, but ultimately flipped back to the OEM setup after reviewing the impact on the condition of my MAF sensors. Love the real world test and data. What do you think of your Draggy?
I was wondering why your MAF sensors were so dirty thinking it was the after market air filters.
How as part of the aston martin power upgrade do the valved boxes create more air/power as claimed ? I.e. completely closed air box versus valved air box versus gt4 style non boxed.
I used to fit “high flow filters” to my cars when I was first started driving. For one reason only, the noise. Then I grew up.
One question remain from me, in your otherwise well documented statement, is there any advantage in fitting the K&N or similar filters while retaining the original boxes and “plumbing” ?
Hello Mike, thank you for these analysis and details.
I was wondering of the GruppeM carbon airbox is an actual bargain in terms of performance and weight saving, or just a fancy mods to look at under the hood ?
Always appreciating your videos Mike. #n430owner
In certain applications oiled filters are amazing (K&N on twin 40 Webers application Ford Crossflow RS1800 Escort or Caterham 1735cc Super Sprint for example). BUT they need maintenance regularly to clear debris and dust which sticks to the oil on the paper. Yes induction improved (on that application) but looking at the AM application I can’t see an induction noise benefit and moreover I can see having to clean them more frequently given where they sit in airflow. Race teams don’t care - the application is one race then they change / clean everything. Their goal would have been weight saving - if not necessary bin it. Great review and insight to the actual engineering that went into the V8 IMHO.
Very very well informed..well explained and if truth be known when shown the facts it shows how this item is a con
Better induction noise though?
Can't imagine you'd even notice that. The 4.3 and 4.7 have a long intake system. Hypothetically, if the filter was directly in front of the throttle housing, you'd notice an increase in induction roar. But buried where they are, with about a metre's worth of intake pipework any noise would be diluted out.
In my humble opinion...
Most people will be able to feel" a 20% increase in an engine's power/torque outputs with any certainty.
Experienced drivers can realistically detect 10% with confidence.
But only racing/competitive drivers will be capable of routinely picking up on changes of about 5% with consistent accuracy.
In other words, very few drivers would reliably notice the differences merely claimed without evidence of most of these bolt-on performance "upgrades". These are really only verifiable on the drag-strip or dyno', and how many Aston owners are so desperately insecure that they need to go to those lengths to fulfill themselves? Most of the comments are written by those who, in reality only ever dream of driving an Aston - and those who are inwardly compelled by ego to give an opinion on every passing subject!
All you need to do now is convince the 50cc scooter riders a noisy exhaust doesn’t make it go any faster 😂
If someone made an aluminum air box upgrade similar to the oem air box, I feel like it would fair better than the delete kits. I'm sure it would be a pretty penny!