HOMEMADE $7 Turbo Filter

[Gruff511]

First off My purpose and experience with this method of filter has been beneficial as Ive recorded increased spool time and have seen an average of 25+ Increase HP Making a Metal screen inlet filter for turbo. For those of you out there looking to NOT run an air filter on your turbo then this type of filter would provide a similar advantage of a filter.
The metal mesh allows No restriction on the turbo inlet as well as giving the turbo some protection against small rocks or any debris getting sucked in.
Here are some pics of the basic steps in what needs to be done.

I say $7 filter because all I needed to buy was this metal screen material and I had a couple buddies that wanted to do this as well so they threw down a couple dollars also, so in end I only spent a few dollars.
You get A LOT of material to do quite a few if you needed to. At least you will have extra material if you mess up or replace it.

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You first need to cut sections large enough to overlap over the pipe(or turbo inlet) and stack the layers of screen on one another so the holes in the screen mesh together and you have even Finer holes then originally.
And I just used a hose clamp to hold the screen on tight.

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And now all thats left is to cut off the excess screening, I used a dremel to cut the metal screen clean around the clamp.

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Now everything is finished that the end product can be installed on the vehicle. And in this pic you can see clearly through the mesh and its fine enough that no rocks or anything small cant fit through it.

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Hope everyone can get some use from this Article if trying to do this on your own. A lot of people may disagree with this method as some people have reported their car not running properly without an air filter. SO before you attempt this be sure you know your engine will still run as normal without an inlet filter. i.e-if your motor has a MAF sensor before the turbo then you cant remove it to run no filter on the turbo, the screen would need to be placed before the MAF sensor on the inlet pipe.

If anyone has any opinions or ideas on how to improve on this then feel free to comment.

 

[Gruff511]

Jeez guys give him a break already. OP has seen the light and taken the advice graciously.

Haha I knew people would bash on this when I posted it. I never said it was the BEST idea

 

[AK Maniak]

why did he have to be a 420a member... now I know why we get made fun of so much

Haha I seriously 'd.

 

[liquidsilver]

Im not trying to take the easy way out. I just did this because I ran nothing on my turbo for over a year now with no filter. Now I know a larger intake will be best Ill be going that route..
Im thinking of the Forced Performance 7.5" or 9" filter that'll be in a separated box where the battery used to be then routed to the turbo.

I think you may be better off building a slick setup modifying your OEM airbox. I don't remember too much about how the air system is run, but with the turbo on there your air filter should still be pretty close to the stock location. This would give you a shorter route assuming your turbo is right up front.

EDIT: Man I need to hit refresh! Don't you people sleep? OP looks like this is actually what you are doing right?

 

[HighPSI TSi Guy]

I've done tests of filter vs no filter vs screen probably close to 100 times. Seems at least once a week I have a customer's car on the dyno that insists on pulling his air filter off swearing he'll gain power. In probably 50+ instances of this I have never seen a gain in horsepower at the same boost level with no filter vs a proper air filter setup. I've pulled air filters off of 1000+ whp cars and gained 0whp.

Screen clamped directly over the turbo generally loses 15-20whp vs no filter or a pipe with a proper sized filter. It's a restrictor plate.

Just put a proper filter and pipe setup on the car and enjoy some reliability.

 

[95eclispe]

i've done tests of filter vs no filter vs screen probably close to 100 times. Seems at least once a week i have a customer's car on the dyno that insists on pulling his air filter off swearing he'll gain power. In probably 50+ instances of this i have never seen a gain in horsepower at the same boost level with no filter vs a proper air filter setup. I've pulled air filters off of 1000+ whp cars and gained 0whp.

Screen clamped directly over the turbo generally loses 15-20whp vs no filter or a pipe with a proper sized filter. It's a restrictor plate.

Just put a proper filter and pipe setup on the car and enjoy some reliability.

amen!