Water crossings with non-standard filters.

[FrozzaII]

This is in regards to aftermarket filters.

I believe the standard system has been designed the way it has, to accomodate for deep water crossings. It has what looks almost like an automotive air system appendix just before the air filter. Is this for catching water so as to not flood the engine..?

With the standard setup, there is so much pipework before the air gets to the engine. So without going to a Snorkle, does the Ram Pod Setup keep water out enough for over-bonnet river crossings..?

If not, is there a good way to stop engine flooding while crossing rivers and deep bogholes..?

Any response will help as I am looking at upgrading my standard filter soon.

Was going to go to an MRT Ram Pod assembly.

What do you think..

[Croz]

From what I saw on the weekend a ram pod is your engines worst enemy in any sort of wet condition. From just hitting water in bog holes the vehicle with a ram pod had water in the plenum chamber and a cough. The whole thing with the ram pod is that it sits over the open space in the middle of the bay, therefore water coming up from under it will enter the ram as it sucks at the air.

The appendix before the air box is something to do with induction rate if i remember correctly. It was discussed inHot 4's a few years back and they found the capacity of this part had influence on the power of that engine, cant remember any more than that thought. It does seem to drain water nicely though.

If you are planning to have lots of experience in water and wheel often then get a snorkel or sort something out for intake where the pipe isnt in the front of the engine bay and open.

The other thing you should have in board is a wading sheet to stop the fan getting ripped off or the radiator fins damaged, this also helps keep an air lock in the engine bay preventing some of the water that gets into things like alternators and dizzys getting wet.

I must say that knowing where the water level is compared to the intake makes me happy, cos you wont know you have sucked in a lungfull untill the engine stops or bends a rod...

[Croz]

Also, I think in my drivers manual there is a note on the reccomended max depth of water crossings. From memory it was headlight height.

[FrozzaII]

Yeah, there are two appendixes that i know of, one sits above the head, just before it goes into the EFi, and there is also one just before the filter itself, the big black box above the head is for smoothening out the power and torque curves. But the one before the filter box looks like a real human appendix, it is between the intake behind the headlight and the filter. I believe (don't know if i am right) that this is to take on water to stop the engine from filling up with it. However, there is no drain plug, so who knows.

[Croz]

The human looking one is the one I wqas refering to as having something to do with the induction and Hot 4's.

The one on the top of the head is the plenum chamber I believe.

[FrozzaII]

Well I wouldn't wanna go any deeper than that, but that is with the standard air setup, not for a ram pod. Looks like you lose a great deal of height when this happens to ur vehicle and have a pod filter installed.

[murcod]

I found a reduction in torque by removing the 180 degree bend between the standard airfilter canister and resonant cavity on top of the engine. I run my K&N on the end of it for this reason.

Your radiator fan will throw water everywhere in a water crossing, so a pod filter isn't a good idea. They're great for a power boost on sealed roads, but refit the factory set up if you're heading off road.

Don't forget the EFI computer is mounted just above floor level inside and water will get inside if you stay in deep water for any period of time. Plus the alternator is relatively low on the side of the engine- well below the standard air induction pick up.

[ferog]

I been in water over the bonnet with a pod, had it set up behind the headlight on the left side, didnt get wet at all, water was running hard too, worst thing is when you go through puddles and splash it up under the car tended to get soggy when i played to much in shallow water/ mud too fast... make a protection plate for it underneath..

[FrozzaII]

Thanks, will keep that in mind when I do any mods, have you got any pics from under ur bonnet..?

[ferog]

sorry i havent, didnt get pics with the pod setup, got lots of snorkle pics lol.. i will see what i can find

[FrozzaII]

Thanks.

Am trying to design a way to have the pod, but adapt it to be water tolerant.

By having a sort of reservoir, but that won't harm the airflow too much.
Have a few ideas, but is only on the drawing board.

[Croz]

Not quite the same as the pod but you could run an aftermarket filter in the standar box, then on road leave the lid at the rear off it, allows great flow.

When you hit the water put the lid on it.

You could even do this with a snorkel.

[FrozzaII]

Yeah, had thought about a snorkle, first there is the cost of it, then knowing that they are boring a bloody hole in the side of your car. The snorkle is just a very PERMANENT option. Mainly want power, just wanna know at the end of the day, IF I go a crossing (and it's deeper than anticipated) I won't drown the baby 1.6.

So many options, so little money...

[lowndsie]

Save up for the snorkel......

after seeing jabboo's close encounter last weekend i would never personally use a pod filter with the chance of going through mud and water. Even mine with standard filter setup copped a fair amount of water. Looking at fitting a snorkel myself with-in the next few weeks.

really when u look at the costing's of most other mods, the 300 odd bucks for a snorkel is really quite cheap.

[FrozzaII]

Not quite the same as the pod but you could run an aftermarket filter in the standar box, then on road leave the lid at the rear off it, allows great flow.

When you hit the water put the lid on it.

You could even do this with a snorkel.

Well, took the lid off the filter, at the moment have left the standard filter in, don't know about the economy difference yet, the power seems better, but the sound is awesome...!! Thanks heaps for the suggestion.
Will leaving the standard filter damage anything, or just get dirtier faster...

[BundyRumandCoke]

I dont know if there is enough room under the bonnet of a feroza to do this, but.
Fit a Rocky air cleaner canister to your induction system. Fit your air cleaner element inside this. Now modify it to accept a snorkle.

When you are on the road, and want performance/economy, leave the clip on end of the air cleaner canister off. This then acts like a ram, with a large opening facing forward for air intake. Essentially, the snorkle does nothing in this instance.

When you go offroad, fit the clip on end to the air cleaner canister. This now makes your air intake come through your snorkle. System is sealed, so water ingress isnt a problem.

I have done this on my Rocky, and noticed a difference in performance when travelling on the road.

[Croz]

Not quite the same as the pod but you could run an aftermarket filter in the standar box, then on road leave the lid at the rear off it, allows great flow.

When you hit the water put the lid on it.

You could even do this with a snorkel.

Well, took the lid off the filter, at the moment have left the standard filter in, don't know about the economy difference yet, the power seems better, but the sound is awesome...!! Thanks heaps for the suggestion.
Will leaving the standard filter damage anything, or just get dirtier faster...

Leaving the lid off shouldnt cause any dramas, just dont hit puddles with it off and keep the lid in the car... not at home.

[FrozzaII]

Not quite the same as the pod but you could run an aftermarket filter in the standar box, then on road leave the lid at the rear off it, allows great flow.

When you hit the water put the lid on it.

You could even do this with a snorkel.

Well, took the lid off the filter, at the moment have left the standard filter in, don't know about the economy difference yet, the power seems better, but the sound is awesome...!! Thanks heaps for the suggestion.
Will leaving the standard filter damage anything, or just get dirtier faster...

Leaving the lid off shouldnt cause any dramas, just dont hit puddles with it off and keep the lid in the car... not at home.

Have kept it in the car (for whenever I may need it), also have a small self made recovery kit, just in case (not that I plan to need it). It does seem all round better, but I think my oxy sensor is rooted, that's why my economy still sucks.

Having the cover off has made so many improvements, thanks for all the suggestions.