Date:         Sun, 12 Dec 2010 10:03:51 -0700
Reply-To:     Gregory Smith <gfs@GREGORYFSMITH.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gregory Smith <gfs@GREGORYFSMITH.COM>
Subject:      Re: Subject: AFM
              =?UTF-8?Q?=3F=20=28as=20related=20to=20the=20air=20filte?=
              =?UTF-8?Q?r=20housing=29?=
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Actually the AFM can be mounted in just about any orientation and work
well, the black lid doesn't need to be "on top".  In my '81 Lancia Beta
Zagato for instance, it's mounted on its side.  

The only real requirement is that it's securely mounted to the chassis,
so that it's not affected by engine movement.  Otherwise it could be
susceptible to oscillation in the flap from the engine moving.  This is
why it's somewhat firmly attached to the air filter housings in all
applications.  The hose between the AFM and the throttle body has to
flex with engine movement.

The foam filters don't filter much though.  As for function, the AFM
works fine without a filter at all, but a filter is best used.   There
are aftermarket filter setups that bolt directly to the AFM, but you
need a bracket to hold the assembly to the chassis.

Hope this helps.


Gregory Smith
'88 Vanagon GL

Smith Design Studio
Small Building Company
Olympia, WA
360-239-0429
gregoryfsmith.com

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2010 09:17:24 -0800
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: AFM ? (as related to the air filter housing)

 Is there anything to preclude a remove/replace of the Vanagon air
filter
housing with something more direct? The AFM seems to be connected, or at
least adjacent to the stock air box in my vehicle (an 84 with an inline
Jetta gas engine mounted diesel style, using the stock vanagon air
filter,
etc) I'm toying with the idea of devising a more effective intake
tract...smoother, longer and less restrictive. I have not been inside
the
airbox to actually see how the AFM functions, or whether it's proper
function is dependent on it being attached in a specific orientation and
calibrated to the standard Van filter housing..hence the question.

 My thought was to use one of my 'sock' filters (I have 8 leftovers, 3
1/2"x 12" long, oiled foam filter element, over a spring inner cage) l
from
my racecar. I'd like to mount that up inside the D-pillar, connected
with
either PVC or aluminum and silicone intake tract, configured to be less
restrictive and to supply cooler air to the motor..

 Most other engines I have owned and modified have responded well to
'freeing-up' the intake and making sure the incoming air is as cool as
possible...especially after the "other end" of the system has been
improved. There seems to be more room in the engine bay, what with the
inline motor, to 'mess around' with the intake tract..

 Can I do that without upsetting the AFM?

 Don Hanson

------------------------------