$15 Supercharger? (not quite!)

[dantye]

Here are some photos of the results of my __________ (brave or stupid) attempt at getting cold air forced into the K&N filter conversion. Anybody have this type of cold air feed? and did you notice a difference? (With Wisconsin Collector plate, can't drive it in January.)

Working up template for a shield to direct heat away from air filter, before cutting a 2.5" hole in body sheet metal between passenger side headlight & radiator for direct cold air into filter.


Need a deep bi-metal 2.5" hole saw to cut a 2.5" hole in body sheet metal between passenger side headlight & radiator for direct cold air into filter.


With pilot drill, hole saw through inner panel, center roughly in triangular raised area in panel. CHECK before sawing through outer panel. Saw will not reach top circumference of outer panel, so grab this piece with vise grip and twist until the rest of the circle breaks out. File off rough edges; treat w/Mar-Hyde or other rust prev.


3X3" galvanized 1/4" hardware cloth keeps out large leaves, stones, etc. Mark and drill for sheet metal screws in 4 corners. Cold air should now be pulled/forced into filter based on speed of car. (Now to fit a heat deflector.)

[Kent124]

sptcoupe has a cold air intake.

[Ragno124]

Nice job Dan, looks good!

[Ky2000]

Where did u get the filter and adaptor? I would like to install too.

[dantye]

Nice job Dan, looks good!

Thanks, Steve.
As soon as we get dry streets, I can try it out! I had planned to use a computer fan filter screen, but decided it would restrict air flow too much - looks are not everything!

[dantye]

Where did u get the filter and adaptor? I would like to install too.

http://fiatspider.com/f08/search.php?ke ... mit=Search
He may still have some built up - I think he is still around here as user: fiatman

Got mine just 3-4 mo. ago.

[ORFORD2004]

CHECK THIS OUT.
http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10314

[vandor]

I have fabricated an aluminum sheet shield for this application, but it was a lot of work. Worth doing to your own car if you really want some free performance. You can use old pieces of trunk weatherstripping to seal it against the body and hood.
After I drilled the hole I removed the front piece, the one in the grille area that directs air to the radiator. Not all Spider 2000s had that. It is just welded on with MIG type welds in 4 spots.
You can also drill holes in the inner fender.

BTW, I have some adapters that go on the AFM if anyone is interested - I always look at old BMWs in junkyards to see if they have one. I also have some neat air filters, where the 'collector' is fully radiused, so there are no edges on the inside (most air filters have an edge that cause turbulence), but they are almost too big for that area.

[dantye]

I have fabricated an aluminum sheet shield for this application, but it was a lot of work. Worth doing to your own car if you really want some free performance. You can use old pieces of trunk weatherstripping to seal it against the body and hood.
After I drilled the hole I removed the front piece, the one in the grille area that directs air to the radiator. Not all Spider 2000s had that. It is just welded on with MIG type welds in 4 spots.
You can also drill holes in the inner fender.

BTW, I have some adapters that go on the AFM if anyone is interested - I always look at old BMWs in junkyards to see if they have one. I also have some neat air filters, where the 'collector' is fully radiused, so there are no edges on the inside (most air filters have an edge that cause turbulence), but they are almost too big for that area.

Getting a box sealed against the hood does sound like quite a challenge, and there are several differences from '71 to '81. I am still looking for the best place to cut a hole in the inner fender that will let lots of air in, but will not require cutting through the plastic fender liner. There probably is a workable place, I just haven't looked that hard yet.

[htchevyii]

Ractive makes a cone filtr with a built in shield that might be slick?
http://www.toucanindustries.com/index.p ... %20Filters

[vandor]

> Getting a box sealed against the hood does sound like quite a challenge,

Yup...

> and there are several differences from '71 to '81.

Oh, that was on a '84... I've had a few dozen Spiders

>I but will not require cutting through the plastic fender liner.

Yes, you want to leave the plastic liner intact.

[dantye]

Update: This might be of interest - I found this $5 stainless steel waste basket to re-purpose as a heat deflector for K&N cone air filter. On close-out at K-Mart. It had a thin black plastic bottom which I popped out with vise grips, leaving the smaller end bead intact. Large diameter is 7.7" and ht. is 9.7". Shape is almost perfect, so we will take a shot at a mod. and hope to post installed photos in the next week or two - if successful. [edit: Turned out to be JUNK.]

[124JOE]

it looks like you have a plan

[dantye]

it looks like you have a plan

Not quite a "plan" at this stage - I think you would just call it an "idea." A "plan" will take a little longer.

[RRoller123]

FYI: It is probably unlikely that it is stainless steel. More likely bright tin plate on steel. Not that it makes too much difference, but it is likely to corrode in an engine compartment environment. Would be a good idea to multiple clear coat it.