I agree,
like i stated,,, the suction from the teardrop scoop was very, very noticeable. The paper element filter was certainly a restriction, even if the stock airbox isn't. To add to your argument,, the difference observed is rear wheel power. The transverse engine placement is accountable for a 19% drivetrain loss. I would certainly doubt dropping in an air cleaner would account for an almost 10hp improvement @ the motor, in a stock application.

Having said that, we don't know how restrictive the air box/filter is or isn't on the stock engined Jag. It may be considerable. But I am inclined to believe the K&N helps the motor breathe easier.
I checked out your pics as well(good looking X-Type & love the details you've added, btw!) & noticed an open element air cleaner. So you probably have a better grasp on how restrictive the box/filter is or isn't.

 

04xtype04, how old/dirty was the old air filter??

 

Thanks, though the pics in my garage page are fairly outdated compared to the ones in my signature. There's a better photo of the cone filter arrangement and the heatshield-ish thing in the signature, too.

I'm by no means a professional, from what I know the stock airbox is actually fairly good aside from the baffles inside it that are there to quiet intake noise down a bit. However, I wanted to hear the low-end engine note more so I went for a cone filter instead. I've no idea what impact, if any measurable, that had on the performance.

I suppose this wouldn't be a bad idea, if one has the skill to do it correctly.

 

I wonder, since this filter allows alot more air, would it be feasible to disconnect battery to reset ECU?

 

Maybe it is me, but for the past many years I have put in K&N in my cars, bikes, and boat. The saving alone as against replacement paper is reason enough. Just an other take. BUT you must service them. They are quality, and if they didn't work as presented, how come they stay in business...

 

I'm planning on doing as much of that as I can when I do a tune up. I figured I had to take the intake off anyway, and I am replacing all the intake gaskets so I might as well get the Dremel out.


That site is awesome. Tons of great ideas in there.

 

Lol

 

I thought about doing that when I changed my spark plugs but the project turned out to be a lot of work, and I ended up leaving the intake on part way when I changed the plugs to save time. Also I hadn't had the car long so I was more afraid of doing something like that than I am now. In retrospect I should have bought the stupid intake gaskets too for $15 and changed those but I thought with 80,000 miles, mine were still probably good. Oh well, next time... I highly doubt this porting the inlet hole yeilds 10 hp, but maybe 2 or 3. Also I bought the k&n drop in when I first got the car and liked it, but now I am kind of wanting something more and was kind of thinking about making that spectre short ram intake. I think you would want to fabricate some kind of heat shield, though since the filter is wedged between the top of the engine and the radiator, it's going to be pretty hot, which may improve gas mileage but not horsepower. I think the sound is pretty cool though.

 

Don't buy one yet if you want one, I'll be selling mine soon since I'm redoing mine in a week or two.

 

Alright cool. What do you have planned to do with your new one? Some type of cold air set up?

 

Yeah I'm going to put the battery in the trunk and move the intake closer to the fender. I've got some cool intake pipes that I'm hoping will work out nicely.