DrtRunner

I have seen recently on other forums that the Safari Snorkel can increase power.
I can see how this might be possible because of the ram air effect it might have.
Also the fact that the air would be much cooler.

But has anyone actually noticed a difference?
What about gas mileage?

I am asking specifically about the Safari Snorkel.

Like Lee's - which looks really cool, increase in power or not

Thanks

Firefyter-Emt

3-4 thousand RPM does have more kick (and a hell of a cool sound when the drivers side window is open.) It has been hard for me to do a real mileage gain test.. I have only had it on for a month or so, and now my motor is having valve problems again (I am dropping it off tomorow) So my mileage has been hay wire between that, the Surco rack, the 32's.. I really have no idea of my mileage right now.. But there is a noticeable boost above 25mph (like through 2nd gear and up) above the mentioned rpm range...

Arnold

I'm pretty sure it restricts airflow slightly. Case in point, I used to run a Weber carb before converting over to EFI that started to run rich (according to my mixture gauge) after I installed my snorkel. Disconnecting the snorkel brought the fuel ratio back to normal.

Firefyter-Emt

According to Safari they build them to flow 25% more air than the stock system needs.. I can not see any way that it could flow less.. Side by side just sucking behind the headlight with out a ram effect, compared to a 50+mph gulp being rammed down it's throat... I would have to say it will flow more..

Arnold

Yeah, at highway speeds it probably doesn't really matter. However, at slower speeds I think the extra piping/plumbing of a snorkel affects the air flow a little like it did on my carb. Anyway, I really didn't feel any difference in power after installing one.

Firefyter-Emt

Did you have a 5spd of an auto??

DrtRunner

5-Speed does it make a difference?

Firefyter-Emt

Don't know.. sometimes it does.. I just can really notice a pull over 3 k.. Quite a bit more pull in fact..

Bundubasher

Had my snorkel for nearly 12 months and I really cannot say I see any noticeable effect (6 months with a porous head); any improvement is probably down to the combined effect of the new head, increased pressure and snorkel. Even now everything is sweet it doesn't really perform any better. 70mph @ 2750rpm in 5th gear is my new norm, before the new head it was 70mph @ 3000rpm with the snorkel, can remember life before the snorkel (!).

One thing the Safari guys definately do not recommend though is oil filled air filters such as the K&N - if you go back to a paper filter you may get an improvement.

By the way it's a 5 speed manual.

Bundubasher

Sorry that was meant to be "Can't remember life before the snorkel".

Firefyter-Emt

Hmmm Can you go into more detail about the paper filter?? Why do they recomend that?? Yea, I do know what you mean about life prior to the snorkel.. Kinda like that "Jeep Thing" It is a definate change to your trucks apperance.. You have to learn to keep from cracking a big old grin when people pull up next to you and snap their neck around in the seat trying to check you out...
Well, at least they do around here... It does get old with people asking what it is though..

dandownunder

Bunderbasher, why not use re-usable air filters ? I have a 2.4 turbo diesel and have had one in it since i baught it ? am planning on putting a snorkel on soon. what were there recomendations against it ?
any info would be great
cheers
Dan.

Bundubasher

Hi
In Safari's Q&A SECTION [ http://www.safari4x4.com.au/docs/snorkel/snorkel_qa.htm ] they say:

"What air filter element should be used in conjunction with a Safari snorkel?_

All Safari snorkels are designed to be used only in conjunction with genuine original equipment air filter elements._ Safari does not recommend any type of oiled foam element._"

Now my vehicle came with a bulk standard paper air filter so the SNORKEL was routed through the wing and into the filter box. [ http://www.creative.gb.com/bundubash...nelectrics.htm ]

Why they do not recommend oil filters can only be guessed at, but my suspicion is, like an earlier contributor said, that the snorkel actually restricts air flow at slow (rock crawling) speeds.

I've haven't heard of these "re-usable air filters" you mention but as a cheap and easily replaceable service part I wouldn't see the need for re-use except for a blow-out between major services.