Which Induction Kit?

[Hadleigh007]

Hi Everyone,

I'm making progress with the XJR, it's polished up and the prevenative maintenance namely Tensioners and Water Pump are now complete. So next my attention will turn to some more fun aspects of opening up the car. I hope to start with an induction kit however I'm wondering which make to go for, K&N and Pipercross don't seem to cover the model. Europerformance offer a BMC filter that sits in the existing box but I'm looking for something more like a K&N style, does anyone have any recommendations or experience of induction kits for this model. As always all comments welcome.

Thanks

Hadleigh

[joejag308]

Hadleigh..........its been a topic of some debate before i think re these induction kits.........and for the extra horsepower you get compared with when you can use it is another thing........firstly is it nessessary...the XJR is almost a leathal.. tool in the wrong hands to start with......it could if not installed correctly cause all sorts of niggling problems..............however
K&N do a filter to fit your current box without having to install a long pipe and ungainly looking unit..............that im led to believe works just as well for less cash outlay.............Joe

[J44EAG]

Try motorsportworld on the net for best K&N prices and applications.

If the car has a standard air box, I think you will find K&N 33-2266 is a direct replacement oiled cotton reusable filter. Motorsportworld will be able to help you select the correct part. Install as per a normal paper element.

The K&N filter will help your engine breath a little more easily. Throttle response will be noticable particuarly at slow speed and when using full throttle.

Alternatively the cone mod kits are well worth installing but are better suited to fast road driving than town work where they are not quite so efficient as a panel filter. Typical hp gains expected from a decent panel filter will be in the region of 3-5% compared to a paper element. Expect to pay around £45 for the filter. Retuning of ignition or fuel mapping is not required. Install and forget except at 10k mile service intervals when the filter will require cleaning with K&N cleaning and oiling fluids available from most High Street motor parts outlets. The Kits cost around £12 and will clean and re oil filters five or six times.

Mike

[Brakebuster]

Hadleigh..........its been a topic of some debate before i think re these induction kits.........and for the extra horsepower you get compared with when you can use it is another thing........firstly is it nessessary...the XJR is almost a leathal.. tool in the wrong hands to start with......it could if not installed correctly cause all sorts of niggling problems..............however
K&N do a filter to fit your current box without having to install a long pipe and ungainly looking unit..............that im led to believe works just as well for less cash outlay.............Joe

and using the panel filter helps your insurance, as your not modifying the induction system , just installing a high efficiency filter in the original system.

i have the K&N panel filter in the original induction box, and yes, it does make a difference,

and i never have to buy another paper filter again

BB

[Hadleigh007]

Thanks gents for your input so far, I'm considering the panel filter route although still like the idea of the induction kit partly as it allows a little more sound. You mention there has been some debate on the matter, are there any articles you can point me towards to have a look at the discussion so far.

Thanks again.

[J44EAG]

Here is a link to the K&N site.

http://www.knfilters.com/

Have a good look at the Air Filter Facts section. There is discussion on panel v cone and induction kit pro`s and con`s. Very revealing.

Hope this helps.

Mike

[daveji]

I wonder if fitting an induction kit would lead an insurance company to deem the car a "Modified Vehicle" and therefore demand an increased premium.
Could be expensive just for a change of sound and a bit of extra BHP on a car with 400BHP already.
I bet the fitting a panel filter would not result in such problems.

[Hadleigh007]

Ok so far as I can tell the debate is as follows:

Panel Filter – replaces paper air filter, costs about the same as a paper filter (£50-£55) but allows better throughput of air, increase in power, can be cleaned so never needs replacing and sits inside your existing air filter box. Engine sounds the same. No insurance hike, possibly returning improved mpg however many factors affect mpg such as tyre inflation, the type of fuel, weather, elevation, the speed at which you drive, the gear in which you drive, the speed with which you accelerate, engine maintenance, excessive idling, cruise control, the grade of motor oil you use, and of course, the condition of your air filter.

Induction Kit – replaces air filter box and pipe work designed to improve cold air flow into the engine whilst retaining high level of filtration. Increase in power (comparable to panel filter), increase in engine noise. Significantly higher purchase cost (£180), may be classed as a performance modification and incur an insurance premium hike. Other considerations: Relies upon cold air supply which although available when moving soon disappears when next to a 4.0 litre lump when at low speeds and idling no matter how well located it is. Warm air through an induction kit can reduce performance. Has been theorised can cause MAF sensors to malfunction and fail, extra performance rarely accessed during road conditions. Two of the Three reliable and respected panel filter and induction kit manufacturers DO NOT make the induction kit available for the XJR!! – But do make the panel filter.

Conclusion – Buy the panel filter

Thanks everyone.

[Brakebuster]

I wonder if fitting an induction kit would lead an insurance company to deem the car a "Modified Vehicle" and therefore demand an increased premium.
Could be expensive just for a change of sound and a bit of extra BHP on a car with 400BHP already.
I bet the fitting a panel filter would not result in such problems.


YES,

i did hint towards that in my other post

you are ' modifying ' the induction system by removing the original air box and putting on the 'Cone ' filter setup , and the insurance company ' MUST ' be informed of this,

it may or may not put up your premium, but WOULD invalidate your insurance if not informed and you had an accident , they will look for any reason not to honour the agreement

to replace with a panel filter in no way affects your insurance, and you dont need to inform them ,

BB

[q

as for ' engine noise ' a panel filter will make a difference, the induction ' whooshh ' is louder and sharper , and the ' burble ' is deeper than with a paper filter, but more subtle than a induction ' cone '

if you want to hear one, pop round my place, as i have a K&N panel filter fitted

[joejag308]

As BB has stated with alterations and updates that affect / improve the performance of your vehicle you must let them know.......a lot of guys just poo poo it but the first time they have an accident......thats when the fighting starts...........its not woth all this trouble for the minimal difference it makes............ .....Joe

[Hadleigh007]

Both fair points about insurance. The thing I found most interesting was that two of the respected induction kit and panel filter manufacturers being K&N and Pipercross both make panel filters for the XJR so they've had the car in to do the R&D on the model, however both have declined to produce the induction kit for it. With their wealth of knowledge and experience, if they decline to manufacture an induction kit but do produce the the panel filter. Put simply - who am I to argue