Carb questions

[walshydub]

Just wondering if it was possible to replace the nasty plastic air filter, like this one;
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2009/10/2728648726_f7045d74bd-1.jpg

with a 'hat' type air filter, like this;

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u297/polo6nmax/DSC00047.jpg

without having to buy a new carb?

What are the benefits of a 'hat' type filter?

[Jarred]

...without having to buy a new carb?

What are the benefits of a 'hat' type filter?

1. yes, most probably. the bottom of those style of filters are interchangeable between different style of carbs, so you just have to get the base that suits the carb that you have.

2. probably not much performance wise, although does make the engine bay cleaner, and might increase airflow a little.

[walshydub]

1. yes, most probably. the bottom of those style of filters are interchangeable between different style of carbs, so you just have to get the base that suits the carb that you have.

2. probably not much performance wise, although does make the engine bay cleaner, and might increase airflow a little.

It would mainly be for looks. A 1.6 carby isn't exactly a performance engine and the standard air filter assembly is just such an ugly bugger.

VW's use Solex carbs, don't they?

[Jarred]

should be a stamping on the side of the carb somewhere.

VW used solexs, but also pierburg on mk2' 1.6's. you'd have to check yourself to be sure.

[walshydub]

should be a stamping on the side of the carb somewhere.

VW used solexs, but also pierburg on mk2' 1.6's. you'd have to check yourself to be sure.

I think you're right pierburg rings a bell.

[gldgti]

one nice thing about hte stock setup is that you can easily rig it to get cold air from the front, whereas the aftermarket carb-top filters are so poorly positioned.

[walshydub]

one nice thing about hte stock setup is that you can easily rig it to get cold air from the front, whereas the aftermarket carb-top filters are so poorly positioned.

Excuse my ignorance, but, why is it an issue if a carb only sucks in hot air?
I know cold air is denser than hot, but i thought that was only an issue for forced induction engines. If the air has been filtered why does it matter if it is hot or not? Also carb-top setup has a larger surface area too.

[Jarred]

it doesn't matter weather its on forced induction vehicle or not, the principle is the same, cooler air = better bang. (basically)

it's just more noticable and more important for forced induction, because of al the extra air/pressure involved.

[walshydub]

That makes sense.

Does it have any negative affect on the engine, besides performance, in terms of cooling, reliability, etc?

[Jarred]

she might get a bit un happy sitting in traffic on a hot summers day, but that's bound to happen to some degree anyways.

if the engine is standard, a cold air intake wont make much difference in this case, and likewise going backwards, wont make much difference, but it'd be slightly noticable when the car is in traffic (no air flow under the bonnet which means it's surrounded by warm air, where as cold air intake is lower to the ground and has better chance of breathing fresh air.)

[walshydub]

she might get a bit un happy sitting in traffic on a hot summers day, but that's bound to happen to some degree anyways.

if the engine is standard, a cold air intake wont make much difference in this case, and likewise going backwards, wont make much difference, but it'd be slightly noticable when the car is in traffic (no air flow under the bonnet which means it's surrounded by warm air, where as cold air intake is lower to the ground and has better chance of breathing fresh air.)

Fair enough. I might steer clear then, it's probably not the best solution for the Gold Coast, what with the hot weather and traffic issues!!

Cheers for your help by the way. I've never run a car with a carb engine before. I know enough about fuel injection to leave it alone, but carbs seem so simple and easy to mess with.

[Jarred]

..., but carbs seem so simple and easy to mess UP.

fixed for ya.

unless there's something wrong with the standard set up, there's not much reason to change. get rid of that pre-heater stuff, that comes off the exhaust though, and get some flexi pipe to extend down below chassis rail to get some nice fresh air. :)

[walshydub]

fixed for ya.

unless there's something wrong with the standard set up, there's not much reason to change. get rid of that pre-heater stuff, that comes off the exhaust though, and get some flexi pipe to extend down below chassis rail to get some nice fresh air. :)

LOL true.....must....resist....urge....to....fiddle... ...

[GRN_VAGN]

Nothing wrong with a small filter like that second pic

I have one on my stock 1.6 and i feel it makes a better throttle responce, and revs more freely.

It was on when i bought it, but i did try the stock box. and it felt sluggish was quiet and seemed to struggle to get 5k . where as with the small filter i can get to 6k easy, not that its up there often. but the induction noise is cool, :)

I say if you get one cheap, go for it

[Jarred]

Nothing wrong with a small filter like that second pic

I have one on my stock 1.6 and i feel it makes a better throttle responce, and revs more freely.

It was on when i bought it, but i did try the stock box. and it felt sluggish was quiet and seemed to struggle to get 5k . where as with the small filter i can get to 6k easy, not that its up there often. but the induction noise is cool, :)

I say if you get one cheap, go for it

which carb is that one on though?

[walshydub]

I say if you get one cheap, go for it

Found a K&N one in the U.S for $67 usd. Repco are the official suppliers for K&N so will see how much they are.
I am still sorta tempted, but the car is my daily so i can't be arsed with reliability issues.

[Jarred]

yea can always do it, and change back if you don't like it. not that hard. Shouldn't affect reliabilty. just when you're in traffic and it's really warm, it might stutter a bit & be a bit rough. thats all.

[GRN_VAGN]

its on a MK1 1.6L, Solex 34Pic or something i belive :)

I like it, i wouldnt go back to stock unless i was going to sell it, even then id recomend putting sports filter back on.

In traffic, it does feel a tad slugish when you take off, but give it a quick rev in 1st, and its good, but then again my carb is leaking and making mine run rough so i couldnt really tell

[Jarred]

stock solex's aren't the revviest of things as it is. the mk 2 1.6 has a twin throat pierburg, which is a bit revier in my limited experience with my ex-mk 2 and ex-mk 1 (as well as others mk 1's)

My point here, was the mk 2 should be revvy enough stock. :) (providing it's all stock)

[walshydub]

stock solex's aren't the revviest of things as it is. the mk 2 1.6 has a twin throat pierburg, which is a bit revier in my limited experience with my ex-mk 2 and ex-mk 1 (as well as others mk 1's)

My point here, was the mk 2 should be revvy enough stock. :) (providing it's all stock)

Stock as a rock.
I'm just exploring options to improve the beast without spending too much or messing with its driveability. The classic dilemma really.

[GRN_VAGN]

Buy one, put it on. if you dont like it, then revert back to stock.

And Jarred, yeah i know they not as revvy, but the filter assembly i got helped liven things up. :)

It is louder though, but in a Mk1, most things rattle/clunk/ ect so it dont matter lol