TDII open-air filter and its effects!!!

...I installed an open sport air filter (a 'Funnel Ram') from KW-Systems on my 1998 Seat Ibiza GT TDIi (110 hp). This thing is really huge, and unlike K&N filters, it has an opening at the front for increased airflow. I routed the cold air intake hose so that it draws air from the wheel well and directs it directly onto the filter. I think that's enough; I'm not going to build a bucket of cleaning solution around the air filter like some others do!
The car accelerates slightly better below 2000 RPM, and there's a noticeable improvement when shifting gears (when the turbocharger is spooling up again).
I also have an engine control unit from FS Motoren Technik Köln installed (which, apparently, nobody knows anything about!).
I think the car has around 135-140 horsepower and 290-300 Nm of torque.
Do you have any suggestions for improving the air filter, or where else can I get a little more power? The car has now been driven 85,000 km, and the timing belt needs to be replaced. Is it absolutely necessary to replace the tensioner pulleys as well (I know, if they fail, the engine is ruined)?
Regards,
Monchi.

Hi, are you sure you want more power? Reputable tuners state that the chip provides approximately 140 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque. Due to manufacturing variations, it might even be a bit more. However, with significantly more power, the durability is likely to suffer, and you'll experience increased soot emissions. I would be very cautious about that. The only thing you could try is modifying the exhaust system, for example, with a suitable sports exhaust, but it's questionable whether that would make a difference for a diesel engine due to the tuning. Replacing the catalytic converter would be illegal. I personally wouldn't do that because of tax evasion, but it would likely provide a few extra horsepower and slightly better acceleration. The incorrect approach is to empty the catalytic converter, as this causes the exhaust gases to become turbulent, which leads to a loss of performance. Of course, you can weld a pipe into the cat enclosure.

Hi.

Quote:

...I installed an open sport air filter from KW-Systems (Funnel Ram) on my 1998 Seat Ibiza GT TDIi (110HP). This thing is really huge, and unlike the K&N filters, it has an opening at the front for increased airflow. I routed the cold air hose so that the air is drawn from the wheel arch and flows directly onto the filter. I think that's enough; I won't build a bucket like some others do around the air filter!

Okay, just to clarify - I'm not familiar with the engine bay of a 1998 Ibiza:

An open filter in the engine compartment will generally draw in more or less warm air - the worst being, of course, directly behind the engine , while the problem might not be as significant directly behind a headlight.

If you now provide a tube that allows cold air to reach the open filter, what assurance do you have that only cold air will be drawn in through the narrow tube, rather than warmer air from all around – which would be much more likely?

I completely agree with Ulf. The filter draws in air from all sides, not just from the front. Furthermore, I don't believe that much air is forced through the fender and into the tube by the airflow.

Hi,

It is absolutely impossible for the filter to be able to draw cold air from the hose.
Similarly, one could try to suck out the flame of a candle.
It only works in a closed system.
I installed an open K&N filter with an air intake system myself.
The engine in my car (Golf III, AFN) starts up very quickly.
And only when driving at a brisk pace is the colder ambient air blown through the hose and other openings (such as the headlight housing) onto the filter.
I also discovered the Twister filter from KW-Systems, and I can imagine that it would be even more effective than the open filters, especially when combined with an air intake system.
It constantly sucks in ambient air, and experiences additional pressure buildup from approximately 120 km/h.
So far, no one has commented on that .

Regards,
Michael.