Old Library

Okay, here's my entry into the search for cold air.

I found that by removing the right turn signal and reflector I could get
a semi straight shot to the airbox.  Bought a length of 3" air duct hose
from the local auto parts store and stuck one end into the airbox
(snorkle removed).  Fed the other end between the a/c dryer can and the
headlight housing, through the front bumper frame  (the big metal part)
and out the turn signal hole.

Pros: cold air from completely outside the engine compartment
   	  ram-air effect due to inlet placement and the fact that the hose
      seals pretty tight into the airbox

Cons: there was a big kink in the hose where it passed between the dryer
      can and the bumper frame
      front of car ugly as shit

Did it work?  There was an improvement in throttle response and the car
seemed to pull harder at higher speeds, like through third gear.  It did
pull hard enough to hit 135 mph on an empty road (And it was still
pulling pretty hard :)  After this experience, I feel the real problem
in getting cold air is the dryer can.  It sits right in the middle of
the bumper opening, right in the way of any hoses or ducts you want to
run.  At least you can move the vapor can.  I believe thats why the
Bonrath kits don't work on our cars.

In conclusion, the car looking like crap outweighed the performance
gains, so I put it all back together.

Apologies for length.

Eric
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> The stock airbox takes its input from cavity inside the passenger side
>   fender.  Does anybody know where that cavity opens to?  Does it open
>   into the engine compartment |-O ?

In my never-ending search for cold air, I have found out where the air
intake ends up.  The snorkle that runs into the fenderwell fits into the
rubber-like baffle that helps seal it from the engine compartment.  It
sticks into the fender right where the fender and bumper meet.  The
problem I see is that the fender/bumper is at the most an inch away from
the end of the snorkle.  To make matters more restrictive the baffle has
a flap that covers the end of the opening, between the fender and the
snorkle.  The inner fender area is not very big or open, and in theory
warm engine air could still find its way to the filter.  The joint
between the fender and bumper crosses directly in front of the snorkle
opening, furthering restriction.  It's all probably not as bad as I
think, but it looks to me like the intake could use a freer-flowing
source of air.

My latest solution has been to relocate the carbon can to the opposite
side under the battery, and run a 3" piece of aluminum flex duct down
into the fender with the end facing the front of the car, under the a/c
drier can.  I plugged the factory inlet with a baffle and the screen
filter and ran the duct into the airbox thru a hole in the
front/bottom.   I removed the black screens in the bumper openings and
relocated the horn to let more air in.  I also formed an aluminum shield
to cover over the opening in front of the airbox on top of the drier can
to keep hot engine air from the duct opening, leaving just enough room
for the duct to pass thru.  So far it seem to work pretty well, but it's
only been three days.  The power doesn't drop even in the heat of rush
hour traffic, and the top end feels a little stronger.  It is
considerably louder at WOT, but cruising around town I haven't noticed
any difference.  Next step is some more ducting to keep the heat away,
maybe  a scoop similar to the Air Bath setup.

Eric
95 GTI VR6


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I built something like you're talking about, but upside down. I added a scoop under the front bumper, (where an airbath scoop would be) and ran a 3" plastic hose up into the airbox intake. I thought it made a difference, it was definitely louder, but I never knew if I was getting more or cooler air to the engine. When I got my copy of VW tool the first thing I did was to measure my intake air force and temperature. Testing my little scoop many times reveled a consistent drop in intake air temperature, usually between 7-10 degrees cooler. The flow of the air didn't increase, but temperature decreased. I tested this a bunch of times at different times of the day, city driving, and on the expressway with the cruise control on. I have no idea what effect if any this has on horsepower, but it kept me busy for a while, and it was in my budget (under 5 bucks). 
	Steve

-----Original Message-----
From:	Thomas J Venditto 
Sent:	Monday, September 14, 1998 2:35 AM
To:	VR6 Digest
Subject:	[gti-vr6] Cool Air In?

Has anybody installed a hood scoop.  Got the idea the other day at the gas
station.  Saw a fongooly GTI(GL Golf in disguise).  It had a scoop.  I ran
over to  ask about it and the kid blushed and said it was a fake.  I walked
away and thought, "Why not?".  There must be a kit.  Something like our air
box, only upside down with a rubber seal to mate with the bottom of the
hood scoop.

Maybe it's late . . . Don't be too hard on me.
TomV
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