Superformance 400 air filters - be warned! | FerrariChat

Superformance 400 air filters - be warned!

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by rustytractor, Dec 23, 2012.

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  1. rustytractor

    rustytractor Formula 3

    Mar 25, 2012
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    Russell Schacter
    #1 rustytractor, Dec 23, 2012
    When replacing the 400's starter motor a couple of weeks ago I realised that the air filters were both well past their usable life. I didn't bother to refit the drivers side at the time as it seemed a bit pointless and decided to give the uprated washable, oiled foam filters from Superformance a try.

    Considering that changing filters on a carbed car is a marathon task for which you need triple jointed hands, arms and fingers plus ideally no feeling in your upper torso, all started ok and with new filters duly oiled I fitted one to the freshly cleaned drivers side air box and began to refit the assembly back onto the car along with new inner and outer gaskets.

    My car is right hand drive and the servo and steering column make refitting the drivers side air box a total ***** but it was made all the worse because the new air filter is too small by about and inch top and bottom. Consequently when you finally manage to get the trumpet fitted at one end the trumpet at the other end won't line up with the holes unless you deform the filter by pushing and pulling the trumpet into the inner metal mesh.

    This made the job bloody horrible but I eventually managed it with lots of pain, swearing and frustration. Next year I'll remove them and either clean and re-oil them or, most likely, throw them away and go back to paper filters.

    Shame really, the idea is great and the filters seem good quality - if only they bloody well fit properly !

    You've been warned - buy at your peril !
     
  2. rustytractor

    rustytractor Formula 3

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    #2 rustytractor, Dec 24, 2012
    I went back to Superformance today to swap an incorrect switch and discussed the air filter issue with Colin (I believe he's the boss).

    He said he'd been selling these for a while and they'd been made specifically for them because the originals were no longer available. When I explained that the problem probably wouldn't exist if the filter could be fitted into the airbox without it's removal he understood and said he needed an original filter to check the dimensions. I have one from the passenger side which I'm going to send him so he can check the measurements and hopefully amend the inner mesh dimensions.

    I said that I like the filters as they're reusable and make good long term sense and that if a bigger mesh wasn't available by next year I'd solve the problem myself by cutting through it at the bottom which will allow it to splay out. Seeing as the foam element does all the work and the supporting mesh isn't really a warranty item (lets face it - it's wire mesh so can't really so wrong) he didn't have a problem with it.

    Overall very helpful people which I'd recommend so far.

    Happy Christmas and New Year to all !
     
  3. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie
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    #3 rustybits, Dec 24, 2012
    Glad they took your comments on board. I've always had good service from Superformance.
     
  4. swissbob 365 gtc4

    swissbob 365 gtc4 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2009
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    #4 swissbob 365 gtc4, Dec 26, 2012
    The problem is not SUPERFORMACE, a very good and serious dealer.
    My personal experience ......ITG filter don't fit correct 365GTC4/GT 2+2/400GT. The ITG filter close completely the air duct between filter and filter box.

    Sorry for my poor english

    Roberto
     
  5. rustytractor

    rustytractor Formula 3

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    #5 rustytractor, Dec 26, 2012
    I agree about Superformance - good people to deal with.

    I'm not 100% sure exactly what you mean here, have you used these filters before and had problems ?
     
  6. swissbob 365 gtc4

    swissbob 365 gtc4 Rookie

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    #6 swissbob 365 gtc4, Dec 26, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    In original air filter is enough place between filter and air box. The ITG filter closes completely the place around the filter.

    My new ITG filters.......i have thrown away

    ciao, roberto
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  7. rustytractor

    rustytractor Formula 3

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    #7 rustytractor, Dec 26, 2012
    I agree that all of the space is taken up by the foam element of the filter but don't see that in itself as being a major problem unless airflow is restricted.

    Did you run your car with these filters fitted and have problems or just scrap them because of the fitting issues ?
     
  8. swissbob 365 gtc4

    swissbob 365 gtc4 Rookie

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    #8 swissbob 365 gtc4, Dec 26, 2012
    i never run my GTC4 with the ITG filters. By try to fitting it, i see the technical "non sense" of the "improved filters". You have a big filter surface, but you use maybe 10%, the rest don't work.
    I see at the last Retromobile in Paris a Filter for 365/400GT by a carburetor specialist in France. The filters look like as a K&N filter but i'm not remember the product name. I hope i find the guys at the next Retromobile in february 2013

    Roberto
     
  9. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie
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    #9 rustybits, Dec 27, 2012
    Thanks for your post Roberto. Please update the thread with your findings if you get an answer at Retromobile! Thanks!
     
  10. blkprlz

    blkprlz Formula 3

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    #10 blkprlz, Dec 27, 2012
  11. Arvid

    Arvid Formula Junior

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    #11 Arvid, May 22, 2015
    Was the issue with the non-fitting upgrade filters from Superformance ever resolved ? I should have bought new filters but the price for the originals are totally off the scale so the Superformance ones are better suited my budget... As long as they fit that is.

    What options do we really have for filters ? Not much to be found searching the net and the few I find may be of different quality. For instance Eurospares sell them for £75 and at T.Rutland they are £126. One of them has messed with a tuned calculator if they both are original UFI's.

    A
     
  12. GT Jones

    GT Jones Formula Junior

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    #12 GT Jones, May 22, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My original filter housings are getting dusty on the shelf. I ordered 6 individual filters sized W 4-1/2" L 7" H 3-1/2" from Pierce manifolds in California.
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  13. Arvid

    Arvid Formula Junior

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    #13 Arvid, May 25, 2015
    Is it the UFI's that have red/orange rubber gasket ? Mine are blue and I suspect they are the cheapest on the market averaging 60-80 Euro and that the UFI's are 110-140 Euro. Mind you this is price each.

    K&N has an universal foam filter element that could be cut to fit, 25-3900. Cheap and effective I would think and a pretty straight forward job to fit. Washable too. Thought I'd remove the old paper element leaving the rubber gasket and metal mesh and insert/glue the K&N foam element.
     
  14. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

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    #14 PSk, May 25, 2015
    This man has a brain and is not afraid to use it! Problem solved and what I would do if I owned a 365/400.
    Pete
     
  15. samsaprunoff

    samsaprunoff F1 Rookie
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    #15 samsaprunoff, May 25, 2015
    Good day Arvid,

    I purchased some K&N filters a while back, but have not had a chance to compare these to the originals. Later this week or next weekend I will remove my originals (ow whatever was installed) and check how the K&N fit and will report back. As I recall the K&N's were not too expensive... I recall they were about $100 USD (each) or so.

    Cheers,

    Sam
     
  16. samsaprunoff

    samsaprunoff F1 Rookie
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    #16 samsaprunoff, May 25, 2015
    Ciao Roberto,

    For some reason your filters look more like the ones I have on my Boxer... Maybe they sent you the wrong ones?

    Cheers,

    Sam
     
  17. ricar116

    ricar116 Formula Junior

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    #17 ricar116, May 29, 2015
    Was there a noticeable intake note/noise difference?
     
  18. GT Jones

    GT Jones Formula Junior

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    #18 GT Jones, May 29, 2015
    Why yes, I now hear the Angels of Maranello in all their glory. With the stock exhaust the balance of sound was really intake biased so I've cut out a pair of mufflers and it's much better. The total cost was about the same as one set of stock replacement filters and I think they look great.
     
  19. ricar116

    ricar116 Formula Junior

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    #19 ricar116, May 29, 2015
    That is awesome! Made me laugh out loud!
     
  20. Arvid

    Arvid Formula Junior

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    #20 Arvid, May 30, 2015
    Sam, Did you find K&N that resembles the originals ? Would be great to hear if they fit.

    Maybe I'll just go for Ramair socks or something similar that can be hid inside the airfilter housing. The chromed twin K&N version Christian use is not bad looking at all but I like the original look with the monumental filter housings on each side.

    A
     

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