Turbo reacting to K&N filter

[Joseph]

Have an 03 GT with a K&N Performance kit (p#57-1531) designed for the 03-05 Turbo. However, when accelerating, the engine bay is very noisy making loud sucking sounds and when I let off the gas the turbo starts to sound like it is cavitating (rapid formation & collapse of vapor pockets…of very low pressure often causing damage to propellers…dictionary discription). Overall its' not a pleasent sound you'd like to hear from a performance engine. I'm concerned enough that I'm thinking of pulling it and replacing with stock box and the smaller K&N filter. I have a 3" catback exhaust that splits into duel outlets but I haven't done anything to the exhaust manifold, downpipe or cat. they are all stock.
PS - I don't think I got any hp improvment with the addition of this filter!!
Any thoughts?? (my 1st post)

[Mean Green]

Originally Posted by Joseph

Have an 03 GT with a K&N Performance kit (p#57-1531) designed for the 03-05 Turbo. However, when accelerating, the engine bay is very noisy making loud sucking sounds and when I let off the gas the turbo starts to sound like it is cavitating (rapid formation & collapse of vapor pockets…of very low pressure often causing damage to propellers…dictionary discription). Overall its' not a pleasent sound you'd like to hear from a performance engine. I'm concerned enough that I'm thinking of pulling it and replacing with stock box and the smaller K&N filter. I have a 3" catback exhaust that splits into duel outlets but I haven't done anything to the exhaust manifold, downpipe or cat. they are all stock.
PS - I don't think I got any hp improvment with the addition of this filter!!Any thoughts?? (my 1st post)

A big 2-3 hp gain and a loss of torque. That's what you get with the PT turbo and an open intake.
The sounds you are hearing are normal with an open intake.

[lakersfan1]

Originally Posted by Mean Green

The sounds you are hearing are normal with an open intake.

Ditto. Normal. Cold air intakes are alot louder than aftermarket exhaust systems contrary to popular belief. That sound you hear is probably the internal blow-off-valve dumping pressurized air back into the unpressurized part of the intake system.

[superpug666]

Originally Posted by Mean Green

A big 2-3 hp gain and a loss of torque. That's what you get with the PT turbo and an open intake.
The sounds you are hearing are normal with an open intake.

What do you sugest is better than an open intake? Because the stock box makes it look freakin' ugly.... thx buddy!

[Mean Green]

Originally Posted by superpug666

What do you sugest is better than an open intake? Because the stock box makes it look freakin' ugly.... thx buddy!

Looks ugly, but you can't beat an enclosed system. Really depends where you want to go. There's nothing wrong with an open intake if you are going for "the look" and don't care if you lose some torque. We serious folks who want to squeeze every ounce of power out remove the two silencers in the stock box, add a K&N drop in filter, and replace the turbo to airbox hose that has a very restrictive silencer in it.

[cleverklutz]

Mean Green, could you elaborate on the loss of torque for my benefit? I can understand that it could do that in a n/a setup, but how does the CAI affect a turboed setup in a way that torque would be lost? In my mind it would seem that if the turbo has less restriction to the air going into it, it should help with power along with maybe throttle response, I just don't see how it could cost you torque. The only variable I can think of that would is that most CAI actually suck hot air from under the hood whereas the stock intake sucks a bit more from the fender liner although it still doesn't suck the coolest air.

I'm just trying to get a broader view of my understanding of turboed engines. I'm going to be using my ATV as a test mule for my own education and turbo it this fall. 70RWHP will be fun on a 600lb machine! Anything I can learn now will be a help to me later.

Thanks,
Ben

[Mean Green]

Originally Posted by cleverklutz

Mean Green, could you elaborate on the loss of torque for my benefit? I can understand that it could do that in a n/a setup, but how does the CAI affect a turboed setup in a way that torque would be lost? In my mind it would seem that if the turbo has less restriction to the air going into it, it should help with power along with maybe throttle response, I just don't see how it could cost you torque. The only variable I can think of that would is that most CAI actually suck hot air from under the hood whereas the stock intake sucks a bit more from the fender liner although it still doesn't suck the coolest air.

I'm just trying to get a broader view of my understanding of turboed engines. I'm going to be using my ATV as a test mule for my own education and turbo it this fall. 70RWHP will be fun on a 600lb machine! Anything I can learn now will be a help to me later.

Thanks,
Ben

Read this. Dyno results - PT Forums - The PT Cruiser Enthusiasts and Owners Resource

[superpug666]

Originally Posted by Mean Green

Looks ugly, but you can't beat an enclosed system. Really depends where you want to go. There's nothing wrong with an open intake if you are going for "the look" and don't care if you lose some torque. We serious folks who want to squeeze every ounce of power out remove the two silencers in the stock box, add a K&N drop in filter, and replace the turbo to airbox hose that has a very restrictive silencer in it.

So, if i understand it...it performs better and looks kinda stock with the stock box....I LIKE THAT! All of a sudden the stock one looks good lol. What about the pipe from the box to the turbo , anywhere i can buy one or suggestion on homemade? thanks!

[Mean Green]

Originally Posted by superpug666

So, if i understand it...it performs better and looks kinda stock with the stock box....I LIKE THAT! All of a sudden the stock one looks good lol. What about the pipe from the box to the turbo , anywhere i can buy one or suggestion on homemade? thanks!

Go here. PTCrew.com - Learn it or Burn it.
A guy going by AMX (Jim) makes them. You can make your own, too, but Jim makes a quality piece.

[superpug666]

Originally Posted by Mean Green

Go here. PTCrew.com - Learn it or Burn it.
A guy going by AMX (Jim) makes them. You can make your own, too, but Jim makes a quality piece.

Sweet thnaks man!