182 on Steroids?

[fizzy_drink]

So, I decided a while back to remove all mods from my 182.

I removed my panel filter, and replaced it with a paper OEM filter. New spark plugs went in at roughly the same time too.

The car's running very well - very very pokey actually, and MPG has improved by about 4MPG.

So, is this down to the filter, the plugs, or both?


(PS I'm starting to have my doubts about aftermarket panel filters TBH).

 

[rory182]

mileage thing? i.e. loosened up

temperature thing? i.e. was it cooler today than yesterday making it feel perkier?

 

[G_F]

I only use a replacement panel because its cotton and i havnt got to change it. Could be down to the panel allowing more air in, car not mapped for it etc etc

Dont really know tbh

 

[Adam]

a would say the filter has done most of it but the plugs would have helped.
after having several different filters im always saying now there is no point!!

 

[fizzy_drink]

Rory,

Hmm... possibly, although I've been observing it over the past 900 miles or so.

At almost 48k, it's bound to be looser though.

 

[Adam]

because ive noticed a better response with my oem filter back on

 

[fizzy_drink]

Yeah.. best not mess with it I guess...

 

[lawrence]

how often do you clean your panel filter and how many miles has it done? or have you just wacked the PF in and never bothered to clean it regularly

 

[fizzy_drink]

I gave them an eyeball from time to time... they didn't really need cleaning whilst I had them.

(I had a Piper X, and a Green Cotton)

 

[lawrence]

a would say the filter has done most of it but the plugs would have helped.
after having several different filters im always saying now there is no point!!

drilled airbox and itg panel filter works a treat plus an additional airfeed to the holes. personally now id have an open ik just for the noise hardly going to notice a 2bhp drop from heat loss

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

I don't believe you can tell the difference between filters, besides, aftermarket air filters always allow more air through than stock ones. The 4mpg thing is probably you driving up more hills.

I gained 5mpg by having a SS exhaust made, I have a KnN air filter which doesn't make any difference really, just saves money come service.

 

[lawrence]

I gave them an eyeball from time to time... they didn't really need cleaning whilst I had them.

you'll be surprised how filthy they get, ideally clean them every 6-8k not the silly 12k they quote. It was probably restrcting airflow not because it was crap but it being clogged and dirty an all

 

[lawrence]

loose the cat and you'll gain more mpg less restrictions so the engine can breath more, besides the cat doesnt work for the first 10miles of starting from cold

 

[LegoHead]

more air = more fuel being burned. If it's drinking more petrol its faster.:evil:

 

[lawrence]

more air = more fuel being burned. If it's drinking more petrol its faster.:evil:

yeah but then if your engine is struggling to breath.............

 

[edde]

The ECU below 750mbar (about 50~75% throttle) runs a adjustabel map so the fueling is adjusted (it gets its readings from the lambeda in the exhaust manifold) to take account (to a degree) of a more or less restrictive engine. However over 4k or 750mbar manifold pressure it runs a fixed fueling map this is where the fueling is fixed so it can run leans or rich.

With Renault electrics what they are I'd recon the servicing and milage makes the difference more than anything else.

 

[fizzy_drink]

So if it's a fixed map - too much air will run it too lean?

 

[edde]

So if it's a fixed map - too much air will run it too lean?

A bit yep but you'd need more than a filter to be running any worrying level.

 

[fizzy_drink]

Interesting that...

....so, basically filters don't do anything (apart from at the lower rev range, where mapping isn't fixed).

AND at the lower rev range, the engine is hardly going to be struggling for air.. so even then, filters still don't do anything.


So, officially... there's no point in them?

 

[G_F]

Indeed, when i have seen rolling roads being done, before and after filter changes, there have never been any differences. I get confused when people claim they have had increased bhp with just a filter..

 

[Rob669]

I disagree chaps. My car is definitely, absolutely and completely quicker with a green cotton filter than with an OE filter. No doubt about it in my view. The OE filter was quite new and I keep my after market filter clean as well. After fitting it, the car felt far freer reving and had much more urgency 'bout it, not massively so, but it was noticeable to me. Not sure if rolling roads are always that reliable TBH. Getting more air into the engine is the key, I believe it strongly. Lost out on fuel consumption a bit though.

Cheers, Rob669

 

[dick]

sum1 shud do a test

ear defenders + friend to change air filter, and not have him tell you which 1s which.

then say which 1s feels faster, then repeat it loads of times seee if any decent results come out

hmmm.

 

[edde]

Interesting that...

....so, basically filters don't do anything (apart from at the lower rev range, where mapping isn't fixed).

AND at the lower rev range, the engine is hardly going to be struggling for air.. so even then, filters still don't do anything.

So, officially... there's no point in them?

Unfortunatly thats not the whole story the standard ECU mapping when its running fixed quantity injection are a sort of middle of the road for all engines so that all engine run ok. However you get good and bad engines some which will run leaner than others. Also running a bit leaner has some advnatges so a filter can make a difference.

 

[Rob669]

Thanks Edde, that probably explains why some of us find no difference when replacing the OE filter - the engines perform differently. I bet AMG Mercs and BMW Ms wouldn't. But our cars only cost 15 grand rather than 45.

Cheers, Rob669