Triumphrat

Birdy68 · 08-06-2009, 07:59 AM

Wanting confirmation regarding the air filter currently installed in the new Thunderbirds:

1) Is the filter the same (shape, size) as the one used in the America/Speedmaster?

2) Can the 'high flow' filters for the America/Speedmaster be used in the TBird?

Thatch · 08-06-2009, 08:59 AM

That's my understanding. I'm picking up my K&N filter (the one made for the speedmaster) today and dropping it in. I'll be able to confirm then.

Dr. Kaos · 08-06-2009, 09:44 AM

Have one on it's way. I hope to have it in by the weekend. Will let you know.

dazco · 08-06-2009, 11:05 AM

Yep, same one, and I also have one on the way. You can also probably do the ol' airbox drilling, tho since it's EFI that wouldn't be a very good idea unless someone makes a map for that.

Birdy68 · 08-06-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazco

Yep, same one....
You can also probably do the ol' airbox drilling, tho since it's EFI that wouldn't be a very good idea unless someone makes a map for that.

If we're going off in that direction - would something like this chap here from Norman Hyde...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman Hyde

HIGH FLOW INTAKE BELLMOUTH
Beautifully CNC machined from solid aluminium alloy, this high performance air intake is easy to fit & increases power.It replaces the plastic end of the standard airbox.

... make any difference?

They also have it over in NewSpeedmaster.

What does it actually do?
I would believe that it allows massive amounts of air to be drawn into the engine (wider opening).

(I know it's for the Speedmaster and the fittings would not fit the Thunderbird - but I'm wondering if things like these will also be surfacing as time moves on...)

dazco · 08-06-2009, 11:51 AM

Just like a velocity stack, the shape is supposed to help cause faster airflow. I seriously doubt it does anything worth noting and i recall bonnie owners never found it to be worthwhile generally.

Thatch · 08-06-2009, 04:00 PM

I just picked up the K&N filter (TB-8002) and slapped it in. Well, should I say coaxed it in. It is a tight fight from the stock filter. The stock filter has cheap foam on the top and bottom of the filter that make it slightly larger than the K&N. However, the body of the K&N is a bit longer than the stock filter which made putting the retention ring back on bit harder. After the screws were started it snugged right down though and fit well.

Now, as for the results. It's hard to say the extent of the effect the air filter had but in general, I got the impression that I had a bit better throttle response and note is now a little less 'gurglly'. I don't have a lot of popping in mine like some of you do but what little I do seemed to decrease some. Nothing earth shattering but I think it was worth the $52 bucks (a nice savings from the Triumph filter)

dazco · 08-06-2009, 04:17 PM

You don't have the tune yet tho, right Thatch? You might want to wait on that before using that filter because the mixture is already off with the pipes and this will make it more so. That is also why you aren't feeling much.....hopefully. i can tell you that when i installed my pipes i felt a loss of response/power. And when i got the tune it brought it back up and then some past how it was with the stock pipes. I would wait for the tune if you haven't got it before using the filter. Better safe than sorry.

By the way, did the K&N come pre oiled or did you have to do that? I still have some UNI oil i'll use if the K&N doesn't come with it.

Thatch · 08-06-2009, 04:19 PM

Ah, but I don't have pipes. I still haven't made that leap. Only thing I've done is drop in the filter. No tune for that.

The filter is pre-oiled

dazco · 08-06-2009, 04:23 PM

Thats right....why did i think you had em?! Actually thats a relief to me because you shouldn't feel much if any improvment with the filter if you're still running stock pipes. You had me worrying because i'm counting on the filter to bring enough beef to the party to make up for the power i had hoped the pipes would bring. Not that they didn't help a nice bit, but not what i had initially hoped for.