Just wondering how many of you guys run turbo without an air filter, and if it poses a big risk in case of rain or small rocks? I got my setup in but the turbo sits about 1-2mm away from the block code plate (B20Z2) and the greddy pipe for the intake doesn't fit. The only thing that works is a flexible plastic intake pipe from auto zone, but I was advised not to use that because it might melt and make things worse. Is metal mesh from home depot an ok fix?

In short, how risky/bad is it to run turbo with no air filter

thanks guys

 

If its a cheap turbo, I would probably just run a screen, but if it means anything to you, I would run a nice filter. I have seen pics of some really messed up compressor blades due to not running a filter.

 

Mine isn't a daily driver, but I am running a screen on my turbo.

 

Its about as reccomended as running with out a filter on any other car....wether its forced in or not, its still dirty air. Unless its a track only car, get a filter on that car.

 

FILTER

 

You can find cheapo filters anywhere, i got one from my buddy for free cause he had a crapload.

 

Well, I already have a filter..2 infact. I just can't get piping that will fit in the bay. Right now I'm running a filter but with a plastic flex piping (the only way I can get a filter in there). The shop highly advised me to not use this kind of plastic flex pipe cause it will melt. Is it better to run like this, or take it off and just use wire mesh? here's some pics



Had to use a lot of force to get the coupling onto the turbo because there is about a millimeter gap between that and the block.

 

u can be sure ill be runnin a filter on my garrett Gt2871 ball bearing turbo !!!!!

 

Im runing a screen

no filter

 

since you're using a greddy kit, copy the greddy oem pipe.

90 deg bend straigt up.
the a 90 deg bend towads the rear/passenger side.

 

WoW, me and you are in the same situation. Except my turbo is larger and I had to shave 2-3mm off the plate to mine to only fit haha... I was thinkin about running some mesh but id like to hear some more info on this

To Turbo'd B20's

 

go to home depot and get some metal dryer tube to replace that plastic pipe

yep the plastic might melt.
but metal wont, and you can get a metal version that functions just like the pipe u currently have(bend it into whatever shape you want)

performance wise,
I doubt you would see much if ANY difference than if it was mandrel bent tubing.

 

Running the plastic is very bad. The turbo will suck it in eventually, then say bye bye turbo. I have also seen the metal dryer hose get sucked up because the filter got clogged. I think your best/safest bet would be either screen or dent some piping to make it fit(looks like it would be possible by the pic).

note: If you decide on the screen, I like to use stainless steel tea or pasta strainers, they are very ridged and can be formed/bubbled out to provide more surface area.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">go to home depot and get some metal dryer tube to replace that plastic pipe</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's what I'm using

 

You shouldn't have any problems with that setup, just watch for melting.

 

RS Akimoto has a real durable metal pipe that you can form to replace that plastic peice. I had the same problem and thats how I fixed it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by project dc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">u can be sure ill be runnin a filter on my garrett Gt2871 ball bearing turbo !!!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>



plus you loose power not running a filter....

 

ive been running for almost a monthnow with out a filter. maybe i should put it on...

 

besides the fact your risking ruining your turbo,your constantly ingesting dirty air that will destroy your rings.

 

so from what I've gathered, it's probably best to have an air filter? (It's a daily driver). I live in Texas and it rains quite a bit sometimes..I figure some water could manage to get in there too.. I guess getting the metal flex piping is better than the plastic I have right now.

Turbo E 604: I actually have the greddy piping, but it doesn't fit. It was designed for a GSR I think, and won't fit with the B20 block. Not to mention, the charge piping I have is from a Type-R, so it doesn't go down the intake hole of the civic.

thanks again for all the help

 

I never ran a filter on my turbo but I ran a super fine metal mesh screen that I got from these guys at work. They use it to put on the cooling fans and whatnot of the different computer boxes on the aircraft we work on. It works really well maybe even as well as a filter since its so fine? I know the last time that I changed the mesh it was black from filtering stuff out of the air going into the engine.

 

you can pick up some 2.5'' inch flexible exhaust piping from Napa (it might be called an exhaust patch/repair kit or something) and use that as an intake pipe. definetly use a filter though

 

if you could do save money by doing something as simple as placing a filter or a mesh screen on your turbo to prevent damage and expensive repairs, why wouldn't you? if you value your turbo and money, why not just put a filter or rig one on there. I've seen some F*cked up turbo's cuz **** goes in there.

 

man, its funny...i just saw another thread about filters on turbos and everyone said that using a mesh screen is good enough....i'm just running a screen on my car (its one of those filtering thingies u use to cook...i forgot what they're called)...i figure just as long as no rocks or small children get caught in the turbo, it should be fine.

 

Id suggest running a filter, a screen still doesnt filter the air...it just stops from rocks and whatnot from getting through.