Ordered a Superformance Cobra, trying to make some decisions.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Never enough air? Puh-leeze. I'm sure those that have them feel "seat of the pants" gains.

OK, all kidding aside, that little Xtreme air cleaner did make a noticeable improvement (not unbelievably dramatic, but noticeable) with low speed driving. I can't really tell you if it resulted in any HP gains under WOT. But I will tell you that I had to recalibrate the secondaries because the lessening of the air restriction resulted in lower venturi vacuum, so the secondaries wouldn't open at all until I did that. Of course, there's a lengthy thread on here about that. It's a simple bolt on cleaner -- if you want to show the other chrome jobby, it only takes a second to switch them.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

OK, all kidding aside, that little Xtreme air cleaner did make a noticeable improvement (not unbelievably dramatic, but noticeable) with low speed driving. I can't really tell you if it resulted in any HP gains under WOT. But I will tell you that I had to recalibrate the secondaries because the lessening of the air restriction resulted in lower venturi vacuum, so the secondaries wouldn't open at all until I did that. Of course, there's a lengthy thread on here about that. It's a simple bolt on cleaner -- if you want to show the other chrome jobby, it only takes a second to switch them.

All kidding aside too, but call me a cynic. We don't know 100% for sure why your secondaries had to be recalibrated. Maybe it's climate change, different fuel, or maybe they were on the cusp of needing a recalibration for other reasons that you weren't aware of at the time of the recalibration. Honestly, run your Cobra on a local track at the same day/time, with both setups and report back.

And let's assume there is a difference, how much of a difference and should you really care if your makes 495 or 500 HP? Personally, I don't think it will noticable, unless dropping ET's for bracket racing is your goal.

Whatever floats one's boat. It doesn't float mine and I just want to drive it when I get the chance. I don't want to be changing air cleaner lids, when I show it, along with all the other changes necessary to make my car operate 0.001 better, but hate to look at when they're installed.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

All kidding aside too, but call me a cynic. We don't know 100% for sure why your secondaries had to be recalibrated. Maybe it's climate change, or maybe they were on the cusp of needing a recalibration for other reasons...

No, I have a zip tie on the shaft that shows how far they open, they've always behaved exactly the same, but with the new less restrictive filter, the speed of the air fuel mixture is less because the volume is more, so I just had to go to a lighter spring. No question about it -- I'm absolutely positive on it. But, that doesn't mean it's making any more total power. I agree with that.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

No, I have a zip tie on the shaft that shows how far they open, they've always behaved exactly the same, but with the new less restrictive filter, the speed of the air fuel mixture is less because the volume is more, so I just had to go to a lighter spring. No question about it -- I'm absolutely positive on it. But, that doesn't mean it's making any more total power. I agree with that.

Did your fuel change? Has there been any atmospheric changes?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Did your fuel change? Has there been any atmospheric changes?

No, same tank, same atmosphere, same everything. I'm absolutely positive. I know you probably don't want to do this, but you might try driving your Cobra with the air cleaner completely off, just to see if it runs any better (not racing, just regular casual driving). You could also just put a small temporary screen over the top of your carb if you didn't want to run it completely open.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

No, same tank, same atmosphere, same everything. I'm absolutely positive. I know you probably don't want to do this, but you might try driving your Cobra with the air cleaner completely off, just to see if it runs any better (not racing, just regular casual driving). You could also just put a small temporary screen over the top of your carb if you didn't want to run it completely open.

No air cleaner lid and that horrible looking K&N air cleaner are different.

Not "buying it." Sorry. But Detroit Bill may.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

No air cleaner lid and that horrible looking K&N air cleaner are different.

Yes, they are. But if you found your car ran a good bit better when you pulled your air cleaner off, then you might want to explore less restrictive alternatives. Or, just go back to your same old cleaner. But you'll never know until you try.

[frdfver]

Although I don't have an FE, here is a shot of my oval air cleaner and real live turkey pan. Not to original looking I believe I get plenty of air flow.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...m/NAF351_1.JPG

Paul

[Racer_X]

Paul,
Which air cleaner is that? I like it !

Curtis

Originally Posted by frdfver

Although I don't have an FE, here is a shot of my oval air cleaner and real live turkey pan. Not to original looking I believe I get plenty of air flow.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...m/NAF351_1.JPG

Paul

[Racer_X]

Paul,
Which air cleaner is that? I like it !

Curtis

Originally Posted by frdfver

Although I don't have an FE, here is a shot of my oval air cleaner and real live turkey pan. Not to original looking I believe I get plenty of air flow.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...m/NAF351_1.JPG

Paul

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Maybe it's climate change,

On a related matter - try to leave your self enough room for a carburetor phenolic insulator base gasket of some sort. Most of the true phenolic insulators are 1/2 inch or more in thickness but there are some other options that get down slightly less than 1/4 inch in nitrile gasket material that will help. The Cobra engine bay is pretty tight and gets warm and fuel perculation can be a very real issue.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

... fuel percolation can be a very real issue.

A Turkey Pan pretty much eliminates that... but, if you don't like the looks of one, then you don't like the looks of one.

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by DanEC

On a related matter - try to leave your self enough room for a carburetor phenolic insulator base gasket of some sort. Most of the true phenolic insulators are 1/2 inch or more in thickness but there are some other options that get down slightly less than 1/4 inch in nitrile gasket material that will help. The Cobra engine bay is pretty tight and gets warm and fuel perculation can be a very real issue.

I purchased a 1/4" phenolic spacer from Summit, so they are available that thin. Not sure if will do much good (just installed it at the end of the driving season), but that's all the hood clearance I had.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by DanEC

On a related matter - try to leave your self enough room for a carburetor phenolic insulator base gasket of some sort. Most of the true phenolic insulators are 1/2 inch or more in thickness but there are some other options that get down slightly less than 1/4 inch in nitrile gasket material that will help. The Cobra engine bay is pretty tight and gets warm and fuel perculation can be a very real issue.

Hey Dan, today's news for Patrick and the change to his carb's secondaries. All 13 of the warmest years on record have now occurred in the last 15 years. And fuel mixtures change constantly as well. But Patrick still thinks that K&N really does make a "seat of the pants" difference.

Scientists react to warmest year: 2014 underscores