Is this normal? The air intake hose on my car has a single piper cross sock filter where it goes into the airbox and a length of insulated hose (152mm diameter) which goes off towards the side air scoop. However, the end of the hose just sits in the engine about 30cm short of the side pod intake.
The manual says it should have a second air filter on the end (I assume they are removed to give an extra 0.0001hp). Should the hose be connected up as a snug fit on the side scoop, if so, what parts have you used? I can get 152mm hose but I can’t find a rigid length of 152mm tube to make a joint.
I wouldn’t think that’s a good idea, Harvey! Fit an OEM cone filter at the top of the tubing (next to the airbox), & you’ll see how much crap it captures!
Totally normal. Yes they did quite often have another cone filter on the far end of the hose (hoping you have at least one between the airbox and the hose, as Mr Pesky says it does catch a lot of crap!), which I believe Lotus claim was for reducing the induction roar. Most people remove the extra filter as you suggest to gain any extra power, as it is one of the modifications between the 170HP and 190HP versions. There is actually an adaptor that connects the hose (albeit a new longer version) to the side air intake, part number is\was A111E0023K and cost me �33.49+vat back in 2006, but with a bit of time you could probably make something that would work just as well!
It fitted my 6" diameter intake hose no problem. You will need a new intake hose as well as the standard one is too short, I guess that would be part no. A111E0022K going by the parts list. I just bought some 6" intake hose off eBay and used that, although mine’s not insulated like the oficial one
It’s revotec insulated hose that keeps the intake temps down. Perfect diameter. I fitted a ITG sausage filter direct to the BT’s under the CF cover. Avoids the cone filters and sounds MUCH better too!
Hmm… might have to look at some of that as my hose is starting to wear thin in places. My engine bay almost looks like that, only in blue and covered in dirt!
As for filters, I know what you mean about what the manual says but mine has no filters whatsoever
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I wouldn’t think that’s a good idea, Harvey! Fit an OEM cone filter at the top of the tubing (next to the airbox), & you’ll see how much crap it captures! [/quote]
Cheers Rob its on the to do list
Pete is the ITG a PITA to fit and once fitted do you only retain the airbox and hose in order to get cold air to the engine?
I also used the Revotec duct, left it at full lenght (one meter), maybe not top for air dynamics (as slightly S shaped, normally about 75 cm would do the trick) but as wire-reinforced it’s pushed on the wing air intake duct (without being obliged to buy an adapter from Lotus). As many, had a short black duct lost somewhere in the engine bay and one cone filter next to the air box (which was emty - would consider a replacement dome filter).
It’s revotec insulated hose that keeps the intake temps down. Perfect diameter. I fitted a ITG sausage filter direct to the BT’s under the CF cover. Avoids the cone filters and sounds MUCH better too! [/quote]
Finally sorted mine! The standard insulated hose was still in very good condition so I used it. I then used my handy adaptor from the kitchen fitters to fit a second sock filter on the end of the hose (I have lost 0.001 hp but less rubbish will get into the engine). I then made a handy strap which hold the end of the hose up so it faces the side intake (the strap goes round the hose and roll over bar brace). I think this is better than a hose tight fitting onto the intake because:
Water is much less likely to get funnelled into the engine from wet days and puddles (a problem which killed a friends Audi A6) - I think that’s quite important.
Any air not required by the induction will “spill” into the engine bay and cool the engine (if the hose is tightly connected to the intake it will spill to the outside of the car and the cooling is lost). I think that’s also important.
Because the hose end will be at a lower pressure than the air coming in from the intake it will find its way down the hose pretty sharply. So the gain of fitting the hose tight to the intake is minimal apart from at full throttle where there may be a ram air advantage.
