Photos of my Oct 2010 build Roadster showing
airbox. Flexible pipe off front of the box is stuffed inside
the cowl above the radiator to access cool air. Vern DJ
Lovely pictures Vern! Keepers. Gary also sent me some. Big help.
As Gary says, they both look pretty much the same aside from the
logo. These filter holders are made by a plastic molding firm near
Malvern...in Kiddeminster about 20 miles north. Much of the stuff
the Factory uses is still found at nearby neighbouring firms..they
never go too far away to look for parts, even now.
(For example, the Superform wings come from Cheltenham.)
The box resembles nothing so much more than a cabin air
filter box, a device used to hold a baking soda soaked
air filter that purifies cabin air before it enters a car. The
dimensions of the box itself (though not its entry) are the same as
that used on the Escape cabin filter. Of course, a cabin air
filter is under less stress than an engine air filter and its task
is less tough. It is usially a pleated paper of foam filter that
must be changed every 15,000 kms or every year, whichever comes
first. They should NEVER be used for an engine air filter. Here is a
pic.
On the other hand, the regular Escape engine oil filter and air
filter box is immense, far too large to fit into a Morgan engine
bay. It is in the corner of the bay and takes its air through the
valence, just like Gary's.
Automobile solutions are often a compromise and it was
apparently though better by Ford (who did the original Roadster V6
installation off site) to supply forced cool air with debris rather
than hot engine bay air without debris. Neither are ideal.
(Though I would rely on a good filter to take care of debris) But
the pics give us a lot of info.
1. The Escape engine bay does not have the restraints of the
Roadster engine bay. Their larger filter box and filters indicate
what is to be expected....namely a high revving engine (aka a screamer)
needs more air than an engine that develops its bhp and torque lower
in the rev range. Ergo, Ford fit a BIG engine air filter and we can
be confident the engine will enjoy that.
2. The bigger Escape filter also allows us to speculate on the
Roadster vs Escape bhp. When home, I can show you company minutes
where the dealer/racers express concerns at the original listed
Roadster bhp..(they took the Mondeo's). It was also lower than the
donor car's. This has continued up to the present, where the Cyclone
Roadster is 20bhp less puissant than the Mustang or
the
Continental.
Restrict air= restrict bhp/torque
3. Cooler air is a big plus.
4. For those of you who are not aware, the shape, format , length
and site of the engine air filter conduit effect the bhp and torque
curve of most cars. I found that one of the most interesting dyno
discoveries on my car. That is the reason for all the tortuous
shapes and boxes.
There are many options,..either perfect or simply better. However, I can
see none that include the supplied air.box. It is simply too
small..even with the conduits in front or through the valence.
Here are what the Escape guys are fitting. At this stage, I am
not recommending any of them. They are for discussion purposes only.
Simple. This type is very common with a choice of filters and
angling.
One could also simply attach a big cone filter onto the AFM MAS.
But I think that would be missing the boat. I very much like the
cool ram-air effect of Vern and Gary's conduits.
Secondly, it is likely necessary to the engine needs all stock
formats we see use it, and stock fellows don't spend a penny more
than they have to. (wryly) You don't want to march backwards. In a happy
world the ram-air effect should be retained or enhanced and a free
flow filter placed somewhere inline.
hmm...
I will send a note to the UK Roadster race preparers. See if they
have tried anything.
Lorne
