Terry Kay <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET>
Subject: Re: Air Intake Project
wrote:

I often thought about a better way to get more air to the engine.

I believe that the AFM would limit the amount of air the engine cold
ingest, at any given time.
If you would eliminate the whole computer controlled set-up, and went to
carburetors, then I think that a better air intake system would be
beneficial, but not with that air dam sitting between the throttle plate
and the source of fresh air.

---------------------------
reply:

With the vanagon, I personally don't spend much time at wide open throttle
at high RPM (those are the conditions when improving air flow become
relevant).   I don't think a restrictive air intake is much of an issue. For
around town and highway driving the stock system is more than good enough.

As far as the AFM being restrictive:
My van is duel fuel, there is the digifant fuel system and a propane fuel
system.  What this means is that I can drive on propane with the AFM flapper
door in the normal spring loaded position or blocked in the open position.
I notice absolutely no difference in mileage or performance either way.

If you want to test how restrictive the air cleaner box is in real world
driving conditions, just remove it and drive around the block a couple of
times.  But don't let the increased noise let you think that there is more
power.

Just my opinion.

Gary Lee