Changing the Air Filter

[zygotesoup]

Originally Posted by apk919

+1,000

With a 1/4 turn kit, I can take off the diffuser in about 2 minutes while the car is sitting on it's wheels... priceless mod!

are these still available? when i took the access panel off for the first time with my ratchet i thought my arm was going to fall off

[Mr. Know]

I just changed my filter to the K&N yesterday (including snorkel delete) and closing the box was a pita...until I looked at the first pic in this thread. Knowing that the tabs on the fixed (inlet side) of the airbox need to be on the outside of the movable (engine side) of the airbox made all the difference. Using excessive force (the clamps should slip right on even with the K&N) means something is not lined up correctly...and the engine side of the box is probably not in position (needs to move toward the passenger side more). I did mine solo, but I did have to reach into the engine bay from the top and bottom at the same time to get the alignment correct.

Sooo....if you used excessive force to close the airbox, I can almost guarantee the box is not actually closed correctly, and if you were to check the tabs, the movable section of the airbox is probably sitting on top of them and you probably have a leak. Thanks goelise for your pic in post #8, that made all the difference for me.

[avonnieda]

Originally Posted by Mr. Know

I just changed my filter to the K&N yesterday (including snorkel delete) and closing the box was a pita...until I looked at the first pic in this thread. Knowing that the tabs on the fixed (inlet side) of the airbox need to be on the outside of the movable (engine side) of the airbox made all the difference. Using excessive force (the clamps should slip right on even with the K&N) means something is not lined up correctly...and the engine side of the box is probably not in position (needs to move toward the passenger side more). I did mine solo, but I did have to reach into the engine bay from the top and bottom at the same time to get the alignment correct.

Sooo....if you used excessive force to close the airbox, I can almost guarantee the box is not actually closed correctly, and if you were to check the tabs, the movable section of the airbox is probably sitting on top of them and you probably have a leak. Thanks goelise for your pic in post #8, that made all the difference for me.

+1

I had my wheel back on before I realized that I hadn't lined it up correctly. Oh well, I can do it really fast now

I held onto the box in the engine compartment with my right hand, and clipped the tabs with my left. The tabs slid right on when it was lined up correctly.

[xxxotic]

Do you have to remove any electrical or vacuum connections?

I got the old filter out, slid a new one in, but now the outer box is about an inch off to the right and I can only move it about 1/2 an inch in the direction I need it to go to line up the tabs.

[waydui]

Originally Posted by xxxotic

Do you have to remove any electrical or vacuum connections?

I got the old filter out, slid a new one in, but now the outer box is about an inch off to the right and I can only move it about 1/2 an inch in the direction I need it to go to line up the tabs.

No, you don't have to remove any of the connections (hose or electrical) to replace the filter.

If you're putting in a K&N filter make sure you have the curved corner of the filter in the proper place (bottom left hand corner of the box) or you'll never get the airbox closed.

When properly aligned, it actually closes fairly easily. YMMV.

Regards,
Wayne

[xxxotic]

I will try it again tonight and see if I can get it.
Are there are only two clips on the left side, and then it fits into the grooves on the right hand side

I didnt see any clips on the right side.

I just seems like the outer box doesnt want to move that easily.

Maybe it was because it was 100 degrees inside my garage when I tried it this weekend and I was getting heat exhaustion!

[goelise]

Originally Posted by zygotesoup

now i understand why those 1/4 turn screw sets are so popular

Find a electric screwdriver that is short enough to fit easily underneath(found mine at target, black and decker for < $10, uses 4 rechargeable AA batteries in the handle) with a 1/4" socket adapter and 8mm short 6 point socket makes it VERY easy to get those bolts off and 99% of the way back on. When reinstalling I get it close to all the way on and then manually use a short handle ratchet to get it 'snug' on there. Its actually fun to get those bolts off using this method.

[goelise]

Originally Posted by Mr. Know

Thanks goelise for your pic in post #8, that made all the difference for me.

Glad to help a fellow Lotus owner!

[RoadDad]

Originally Posted by goelise

Find a electric screwdriver that is short enough to fit easily underneath(found mine at target, black and decker for < $10, uses 4 rechargeable AA batteries in the handle) with a 1/4" socket adapter and 8mm short 6 point socket makes it VERY easy to get those bolts off and 99% of the way back on. When reinstalling I get it close to all the way on and then manually use a short handle ratchet to get it 'snug' on there. Its actually fun to get those bolts off using this method.

You could also buy one of theviper's 90 degree drill attachment thingies. Under Tray Removal Tool

[xxxotic]

Finally got it back on. Had a neighbor come over and push it on the bottom while I pushed it on the top and it lined up.

Noticed that the snorkel wasnt fitting into the opening on the box so I fixed that too.

[apxfndr]

One thing to realize that helped me out was to understand that the part of the airbox that is toward the front of the car (cover?) and connects to the snorkel is attached toward the front of the car and hard to move easily. I found it easier to move the intake part that is connected to the engine to line up to the cover than trying it the other way. Once the side in the engine bay is lined up it went together easily. Also make sure the top metal clip (in wheel well) is out of the way when bringing the two sides together. That top clip kept getting in the way for me. I am now de-snorkeled and was AMAZED at how much crap was in my filter. Small gravel and leaves fell out of the box when I opened it and pulled out the filter. Filter replaced.

[dalepearson]

Hiya guys,
I have ordered a 33-2252 K&N Filter for my 06 Exige S.
What are peoples experiances so far?

I have a performance exhaust and can hardly hear the supercharger now, I am hoping for some improved breathing and possible supercharger whine improvement.

Also I took the snorkel off with the standard filter, after a few drives I am not sure its made any noise improvement really.

So if you have the K&N with the snorkel still on, hows the sound?

Thanks in advance.

[choi0706]

you need to get a cupairbox..

PM me if you want one, its a great addition..

[dalepearson]

Originally Posted by choi0706

you need to get a cupairbox..

PM me if you want one, its a great addition..

Thanks but not looking for a cup box right now, already ordered the K&N, and I think postage would be abit much to the UK

[RWLott]

I tried to get the air box to close for a good 45 minutes, then I got my wife to help. She held the top together, while I pulled the bottom together. With a little wiggling the air box closed easily. Using two sets of hands made it much easier. Try getting someone to help next time.[/quote]

Ditto!

It was a no brainer and a ton easier having my wife help. I'll never try to do it myself again! My arms are not long enough.

[TheViper]

I think everyone has struggled with this. I used two hand too, both of mine, one in the wheel arch and the other stretched around into the engine bay
Michael

Originally Posted by RWLott

I tried to get the air box to close for a good 45 minutes, then I got my wife to help. She held the top together, while I pulled the bottom together. With a little wiggling the air box closed easily. Using two sets of hands made it much easier. Try getting someone to help next time.

Originally Posted by RWLott

Ditto!

It was a no brainer and a ton easier having my wife help. I'll never try to do it myself again! My arms are not long enough.

[malc]

Originally Posted by TheViper

I think everyone has struggled with this. I used two hand too, both of mine, one in the wheel arch and the other stretched around into the engine bay
Michael

I have an even better way. I get my wife to do it while I sit in my lawn chair and read car mags with a cold brew in my hand.

Malcolm

[TheViper]

That is a truly ingenious method
Michael

Originally Posted by malc

I have an even better way. I get my wife to do it while I sit in my lawn chair and read car mags with a cold brew in my hand.

Malcolm

[malc]

Originally Posted by apk919

Does your wife have a sister?

She does, but unfortunately she has very short arms

[dalepearson]

Just wanted to say I fitted one of these K&N 33-2252 filters to my Exige S.
Certainly seems to have improved throttle response, but mainly and what I wanted is I can hear the scream of the supercharger over the exhaust.

Thanks for the info guys.