So a cone type filters not the way forward then I presume?.
I don't believe so, no.
Sucking in hot air isn't good...it can cause real hesitation when in traffic when the inlet system starts to heat up due anyway...never mind because it's sucking in hot air.
Have you measured the temperature under the bonnet of an S3?
Easily 70-80 degrees C seen at times...lovely. Just what an engine needs.
I was thinking about that as I was fitting it but then thought does it matter being as when the intake air goes through the turbo its going to get heated up anyway (due to the exhaust side of the turbo being so hot).
The turbo will add 'x' amount of heat proportional to boost it's producing.
The smaller the turbo, and the harder you work it, the more heat (which is why BT cars can run standard ICs just fine)
If the air going in is 20 degrees, then it can easily be 80+ after the crappy ICs, leading to the ECU cutting back the timing and reducing power.
Better ICs give lower temperatures at the inlet manifold...which is good, and why everyone rushes out to fit FMICs...
But feed the inlet with 60 degree air...and what's the point of better ICs?
Ideally, cold inlet air and better ICs = more power, more of the time....so surely hot air in = less power?
I believe so...
Would warm air from under the bonnet really cause that much of an issue considering it gets heated up so much further down the line anyway?
I'm fully prepared to be educated!.
I'd say so...
For a start you are giving the marginal std ICs more work to do...which isn't good.
Or you fit a big FMIC and cancel out some of the good it does by feeding the engine hot air. Wise idea!
So, cold air in = less for the ICs to do = more power.
Surely that's no bad thing?
And before anyone goes on about racing cars having big cone filters exposed...yes they do. But they don't sit in traffic, and generally have engines that don't heatsoak like 1.8Ts do.
In general, engines like air as cold as possible.
Why do you think your S3 always feels quicker on a frosty morning?
Consequently, feeding it hot air, gives the opposite result. Sort of de-tuning, if you will.
Not good.